Chapter 2

My heart sank.

"Stella, do you remember what today is?" I couldn't stop myself from asking quietly before she walked out the door.

Stella answered without a second thought, "Thanksgiving. Why?"

I smiled, mocking myself for having wavered just because she had shown me the slightest bit of warmth.

"Nothing. Have fun."

This would be our last year together. Whether she remembered our anniversary no longer mattered.

Gregory soon emailed me the divorce agreement. I printed it out, then stopped by the bar.

The owner, Marcus Cole, looked surprised to see me. "Weren't you supposed to spend your seventh anniversary with your wife? You've been working overtime every day for the past week just so you could have today off."

A faint, bitter smile tugged at my lips. "I'm here to quit."

Once the divorce was finalized, I'd leave Varenne and return to Alderwyn to take over the family business.

Marcus laughed and clapped me on the shoulder. "Kid, I knew there was more to you from the first time I saw you. I always figured you'd leave eventually, but you stayed here for seven whole years! You have no idea how much that surprised me."

At that, Marcus let out a deep sigh. "You're the most popular bartender we have. Business is definitely going to take a hit once you're gone. Since it's Thanksgiving, why don't you work one last shift? Consider it the last bit of money you'll ever make for me."

In the end, I agreed. It was the least I could do to repay Marcus for helping me seven years earlier.

Back then, I had taken a construction job because I desperately needed money to buy Stella a set of paints. But the contractor withheld every penny of my wages.

When I confronted him, he ordered his men to beat me until I could barely move.

Marcus was the one who found me and brought me back to the bar. Not only did he give me a job, but he also advanced me part of my wages.

That money allowed Stella to buy the paints she needed and submit her work before the competition deadline. It was also that very piece that first got Stella noticed in the Varenne art scene.

I changed into my uniform, picked up a tray of drinks, and headed toward one of the private rooms.

Laughter and the clinking of glasses could be heard through the door.

I was about to knock when laughter rang out from inside.

"Stella, Landon deserves a lot of the credit for you being shortlisted for the International Young Artist Award!"

"Exactly! You two work together every day, and you're even perfectly in sync creatively. Why don't you two just get together already?"

Everyone in the room started chanting for them to get together.

My heart clenched painfully, and I couldn't help moving closer to the door.

But I never heard a single word of protest from Stella. I gave a bitter smile and silently cursed myself for being pathetic.

This wasn't even the first time something like this had happened. Why was I still holding on to hope?

I turned to leave, but the door to the private room suddenly opened.

Landon froze when he saw me, but a smile quickly spread across his face.

"Well, look who it is. Colin. Serving drinks here, are you? But why are you running away?"

As though something had suddenly occurred to him, he gave me a look of exaggerated realization. "Oh, right. Everyone in there knows you. It would be pretty embarrassing if they found out Stella's husband serves drinks for a living. You're right not to go in."

I said nothing and walked away, my expression dark, but Landon stepped in front of me again.He looked me up and down before letting out a contemptuous scoff.

"Colin, look at yourself. Do you really think you're good enough for Stella?

"She's one of the most talked-about rising artists in Varenne, a finalist for the International Young Artist Award. And you? You wash dishes during the day and tend the bar at night.

"You two belong to completely different worlds."

He looked at me with open disdain, as though I were trash on the side of the road. "Leave her. At least walk away with a little dignity."

I stopped, straightened my back, and met his gaze without flinching. "Whether I'm good enough for her is none of your concern. After all, I'm Stella's legal husband. And you?"

I scoffed, sweeping my gaze over him as though he were something utterly ridiculous. "At the end of the day, you're nothing more than a despicable man pining after someone else's wife.”

Landon's face twisted for a split second. Then his eyes suddenly reddened, and he cried out, "I'm not some shameless homewrecker! Please don't misunderstand me..."

I froze.

Stella strode out of the private room behind him and immediately stepped in front of Landon, blocking him from my view. Her sharp gaze fell on me, and her voice was cold.

"Colin, did you follow me here? And what did you say to Landon?"