Chapter 5

I pushed the thought aside and waved Martin off. "I already told you I lost my memory. I have no idea what herbal remedy you're talking about. And you're not helpless. It's just a headache.

"Order some painkillers and have them delivered."

Martin flinched, then frowned. "Willow, you can be mad at me, but this is going too far. You know I've had these headaches for years. You spent six months trying to convince that herbalist to give you the recipe before she finally agreed.

"If you're still upset about what happened at the office, I'll say it one last time. There's nothing going on between Evelyn and me. I'm only trying to make up for the seven years she lost because of you.

"If I'd really loved her, I would've married her seven years ago. You never would've had a chance."

The way Martin tried to make it all sound perfectly reasonable was almost laughable. I really must have been blind to waste seven years of my life on a man who didn't even love me.

If I'd put half as much effort into my career as I had into taking care of him, I could've made something of myself years ago.

"Are you done? I have things to do."

My indifference seemed to get under his skin. He abruptly sat up on the couch.

"You're really not going to do anything for me? Willow, you've never been like this. In seven years, you never once said no to me. But lately, you keep pulling away and fighting me on everything. What do you want this time?"

I almost laughed. "I've already told you. I want a divorce."

I went to the bedroom and started packing up Martin's things. I was only halfway done when a loud crash came from the kitchen.

When I went to check, I found Martin sitting on the floor, clutching one badly scalded hand.

Apparently, he'd been too proud to ask me for help, so he'd tried to make the herbal remedy himself and ended up burning himself instead.

According to my friends, Martin hadn't lifted a finger around the house since we got married. I'd always taken care of everything for him.

But instead of doing something about his hand, he just sat there staring at me.

I frowned and walked toward him.

A smug smile spread across his face. "I knew you still cared about—"

I walked right past him. "Move! You left the burner on. Are you trying to burn my house down?"

Once I turned it off, I breathed a sigh of relief and went straight back to the bedroom to finish packing.

Martin's face flushed with anger, but I ignored him. I grabbed his bags and hauled them toward the door. That was when he finally realized what I was doing.

He stared at me in surprise. "Why did you pack my stuff?"

I couldn't believe he even had to ask. "Obviously, I'm putting it outside. I'm kicking you out."

"You're kicking me out?"

Martin froze. Then something seemed to click, and a mocking smile spread across his face.

"So this is your new game, Willow? I'll admit, you almost had me fooled for a second. But you forgot one thing."

He pointed at the ring on my finger. It was a simple diamond ring with our initials engraved on the band.

So this must have been our wedding ring. I'd probably worn it for so long that I'd stopped even noticing it was there.

"If you really want a divorce, then why are you still wearing—"

Before Martin could finish, I pulled off the ring and tossed it outside with the rest of his things. His expression changed instantly, and he opened his mouth to say something.

Just then, Evelyn walked in and caught the whole thing.

Of course, she wasn't about to let an opportunity like that go to waste. Her eyes immediately filled with tears.

"Willow, I knew it. You're jealous of me."

Was she insane? Jealous of her?

I had better things to do than make myself miserable over the two of them.