Chapter 1

Madeline looked stunned. She stared at me as if she didn't recognize me. "What did you say?"

I repeated myself. "I said, since I'm not the man of this house, then of course I should leave."

Kenneth immediately tugged at her arm. "Madeline, it's all my fault. I shouldn't have registered my fingerprint. I'll delete it right now.

"Charlie, don't be mad. I really only thought it would be more convenient."

His voice was gentle, and his eyes held an apology, but it didn't seem sincere.

Madeline immediately came to his defense. "It has nothing to do with you. Charlie, don't overthink it. It's just a fingerprint. Kenneth comes over all the time to work late and deliver files. I didn't want him waiting outside every time."

She frowned at me. "What is wrong with you today? Why are you being so unreasonable?"

"Unreasonable?" I laughed. "Yeah, I'm being unreasonable. I should've stood at the door and applauded you and your male coworker. Maybe I should've welcomed him home too, right?"

I turned and walked inside. I didn't even make it to the living room. I simply grabbed my bag and headed back out.

Madeline chased after me and grabbed my wrist. "What the hell are you trying to do?"

"Let go," I snapped.

"Charlie, can you stop making a scene? Kenneth is still watching."

I shook off her hand and pulled open the door. "Let him watch. Let him see exactly how the man of this house gets thrown out."

I didn't look back. The door slammed shut behind me.

I got into my car but didn't start the engine right away.

Madeline and I had met through a matchmaker. I was twenty-nine, and she was twenty-seven. We'd reached the age when our families started pressuring us to settle down.

The matchmaker told me Madeline was honest, had a stable job, and came from a good family. My parents were very pleased.

When we met, she didn't talk much. She seemed calm and steady.

I'd just ended a five-year relationship and was exhausted. I didn't want to throw myself into another passionate, all-consuming romance. I thought I'd be content to find someone stable and simply build a life together.

On our wedding day, I asked her, "Madeline, do you have any expectations of me?"

She said, "As long as you come home. Don't interfere with my life too much."

I said, "Okay."

For the first year of our marriage, that was exactly how we lived. I did my thing, and she did hers.

She worked late, went on business trips, and drank with her friends. I never asked questions.

I thought that was a form of respect, an unspoken understanding between two adults. I tried my best to be a good husband. I cleaned the house, cooked our meals, and washed and ironed the clothes she left behind.

My parents always said that life together was supposed to be simple and uneventful.

I believed them. I thought we could keep living this way, treating each other with polite respect.

That was until today. One male coworker's fingerprint was all it took to make me realize that the home I'd thought we shared was, in her eyes, nothing more than a hotel where she could bring anyone she wanted.

They'd already crossed the line and brought it right to my doorstep. What was the point of putting up with it anymore?

Then let's get a divorce.

The moment that thought crossed my mind, I suddenly felt completely free.

I started the car and drove for a long time before stopping at a restaurant and eating alone.

It was later when I finally drove home. When I opened the door, the living room lights were still on.

Madeline and Kenneth were sitting on the couch watching TV. The snacks and fruit I'd bought yesterday were spread across the table.

At the sound of the door opening, they both turned to look at me.

Kenneth immediately stood. "Charlie, you're back. I'm sorry, I..."

Madeline cut him off. "What are you apologizing for? Sit down."