Chapter 2

Esme massaged her temples, impatience creeping into her voice. "Oliver, do you have to act out right now? Theo just finished his checkup. The doctor said he needs to rest and shouldn't get worked up. Just go home, okay? I'll explain everything to you later."

With that, she walked straight past me, supporting Theo.

As we brushed past each other, Theo turned his head and flashed me a triumphant smile.

"Old man," he mouthed.

I stood frozen in place. The searing pain in my wrist was nothing compared to my broken heart.

I was in a trance when I got home. Looking at the traces of our years together, I felt nothing but irony. The coat I had personally chosen for her was still on the rack, and our fifth-anniversary photo was hanging on the wall.

I lived like the perfect husband, yet I was anything but myself.

At 11:00 pm, the electronic lock on the front door beeped. Esme walked in, carrying the unfamiliar scent of men's cologne. She paused when she saw me sitting on the couch, then walked over.

"Oliver, it's so late already," she said, her voice soft. "Why aren't you in bed?"

When Esme reached out to touch me, I pulled back. Her hand froze in midair, and her expression darkened. "How long are you going to keep this up? I already told you that what happened today was an accident."

I looked at her coldly. "What? An accidental kiss? An accidental lie? Or an accidental betrayal to our marriage?"

Esme took off her coat. She plopped herself down on the couch opposite me and lit a cigarette. "Oliver, you used to be so reasonable."

She exhaled a cloud of smoke and looked at me through the haze. "Theo is only 20. He's young and full of energy. Those are the qualities that you no longer possess. Cut him some slack, okay? Don't spread rumors about him being my boy toy. Otherwise, his entire life could be ruined."

"What about me?" I clenched my fists. "Esme, we've been married for five years. I've sacrificed my future for the sake of your career, and I've ruined my health to the point where even holding a pen has become a struggle. And now, you're asking me to let this go?"

A trace of guilt appeared in Esme's eyes, but it quickly vanished. "I know you're hurt. That's why you will always be my husband. Once Theo recovers, I'll find him a job and have him move out. We'll take care of him like we're family. Isn't that good?"

I stared at her incredulously, wondering how she could make her rage-worthy words sound so justified.

"Esme, you make me sick." I grabbed the glass on the coffee table and smashed it near her feet. The sound of it shattering was jarringly loud in the quiet living room.

Esme sprang up, her face dark. "Oliver, I've already compromised a lot. What more do you want? Don't forget that you were the one who insisted on supporting Theo financially. I wouldn't have met him if it weren't for you! You caused this mess!"

Her words made me tremble with rage.

I first decided to help Theo because I saw my younger self in him. Even though he was poor, he wanted a good education. I scraped together money from my own earnings to cover his living expenses, bought him a laptop and textbooks, and even helped him plan his future.

I hoped that knowledge would allow him to change his destiny.

Yet, he chose to change his fate by becoming my wife's boy toy.

Esme's phone buzzed, and Theo's name appeared on the screen. She picked up right away, speaking softly. "What's wrong? Is your leg hurting again? Don't move, okay? I'm on my way."

She didn't even bother to look at me and grabbed her car keys. "I won't be back tonight. You need to get a hold of yourself."

With that, she slammed the door shut.

I sank onto the couch, staring at the shattered glass scattered across the floor, and laughed.

This was how little our five-year relationship meant when faced with the allure of a young man and the thrill of seeking a new romance.

I wiped away my tears and called Gillian Alcott, a senior from college who was now a lawyer. "Gillian, please draft a divorce agreement for me as soon as possible."