Chapter 4

It was the final day of the stand-in husband experience, and Waverly told me to return to our marital home.

She said that she would return my keys, the family signet ring, and the resignation paperwork in person since the seven days were over. She also added that it was finally time to address what was going on between us once and for all.

I hadn't even opened the door when I saw through the gap that the living room had been set up just like in previous years to announce the end of the game, complete with champagne, cake, and streamers.

In addition, the walls were covered with photos of me arguing with them, walking out in anger, and tearing up the game agreements over the last three years.

They had written down their wagers right under the photos. They were betting on how many minutes it would take me to cave once I saw the divorce agreement.

Tobias sat in my usual seat, spinning my car keys between his fingers and wearing the Gardner family signet ring on his right hand. Waverly was standing right next to him.

It was then that someone started teasing Tobias and Waverly. "Xavier hasn't shown up yet, so why don't you two just get everything out in the open first?"

"Exactly! Xavier always makes a fuss and then gives in eventually. Why do you two even bother putting on an act? You know, I saw you two leave a hotel together on the 16th of last month. You couldn't even cover up the hickeys with your collars, yet you're still playing the 'best friends' card."

I stood outside the door, my hand freezing on the handle. I remembered the 16th of last month. That was the day my stomach hurt so badly that I could barely stand straight. I had called Waverly three times before she finally picked up.

She told me she was in a meeting and couldn't leave. She told me to take some medicine and go to the hospital on my own if it became unbearable. She hadn't been busy with work; she had been busy getting intimate with Tobias at the hotel.

Tobias glanced at Waverly and took her silence as consent. He stood up, wrapped his arm around her waist, and leaned down to kiss her.

Waverly didn't immediately push Tobias away. She furrowed her brow slightly once Tobias backed off, as if realizing something. She then said solemnly, "Xavier has overreacted this time. We should just drop these kinds of games altogether from now on."

I couldn't help but find the whole situation absurd. It turned out that even going to bed with someone was just considered part of the game.

I took a deep breath before pushing the door open and walking in.

In that instant, the commotion and teasing in the living room died down, leaving only a roomful of lingering tension and unspoken intimacy that couldn't be cleared away in time.

In the center of the coffee table lay a divorce agreement. Waverly couldn't quite hide the unease in her expression, but confidence still outweighed it. She was certain I would back down and give in, just as I had for the past three years.

It was then that someone teased with a laugh, "Do you remember how you tore up the fake agreement midway through signing two years ago, Xavier? You shouldn't chicken out at the last second again this time!"

Tobias looked at me and said nonchalantly, "You shouldn't take it so seriously, Xavier. Waverly just wanted reassurance that you still loved her."

Waverly leaned back on the couch, looking completely sure of herself. "I'll get rid of the divorce agreement as long as you admit that you were jealous, apologize to Tobias, and put your wedding ring back on, Xavier."

I flipped through the divorce agreement and found that all the assets, properties, and marriage details were completely legit, right down to the lawyer's attestation.

Waverly had gone as far as preparing a real, valid divorce agreement just to make it convincing. She was utterly convinced that I wouldn't actually have the guts to sign the agreement. She had even asked a friend to film my reaction, waiting to record my fourth public outburst.

I picked up the pen before the countdown ran out. Waverly was already smiling faintly, probably expecting me to do what I had done two years earlier—push the divorce agreement away and press her on whether she actually meant it.

I neither argued nor hesitated this time. I simply signed my name at the bottom of the divorce agreement, carefully and deliberately.

In that instant, the laughter in the living room came to an abrupt stop.