Chapter 4

After packing my things, I went back to the office to complete my handover.

My coworkers wanted to celebrate my promotion, so they arranged a dinner for me. Howard was practically over the moon as well, raising his glass to toast me again and again.

"Denise, you kept turning down the chance to join HQ before, so I honestly thought you were going to reject it this time as well! I'm so glad you finally agreed. You have such a bright future ahead of you!"

I smiled as I raised my glass and downed it in one go.

One of my coworkers leaned over with a grin.

"Dee, I heard HQ is offering you great benefits. They'll even sponsor a green card for your husband! That's why he agreed, right? Man, it's about time he gave in!"

I paused, then smiled in quiet acceptance.

Yes, headquarters had always offered excellent benefits. But because of Don, I'd turned them down again and again. He said he hadn't finished fulfilling the promises he'd made to Taylor, so he couldn't just up and leave.

He told me to wait a little longer. He said he was a man of principles.

Don was indeed a man of principles. Back when we were still in love, he had treated me wonderfully. Anything he promised me, he would always do. A promise from him was worth its weight in gold.

But that was in the past. Things had long since changed.

The person he wanted to keep his promises to was no longer me. Yet, I had still waited foolishly. And in the blink of an eye, I had waited for five whole years.

I shook my head and said softly, "No, I'm going by myself."

"What? Is your husband okay with that?"

"I didn't tell him. Besides, we're getting divorced soon anyway."

The words had just left my mouth when the sound of a glass shattering came from behind me.

I turned toward the sound and found Don standing at the entrance, his face as pale as a sheet. The cake he was holding was completely smashed, and the candles spelling out "Happy 5th Anniversary" were almost buried under the frosting.

I didn't know how long he'd been standing there. But he had definitely heard everything he needed to hear.

Surprisingly, the only thing I felt was relief.

Realizing what was happening, my coworkers all wished me the best for the future before quietly taking off.

I smiled and thanked each of them, then walked out of the restaurant, leaned against a streetlight, and lit a cigarette.

Don stepped forward to snatch it from me, but I took two steps back and dodged his hand.

His whole body was trembling, and his eyes were red as he stared at me.

"Why didn't you tell me earlier? You're going to take the job at headquarters, and you're even moving abroad? Why didn't you ask me to go with you? Why couldn't we make plans together?

"And what did you mean back there when you said we're getting divorced soon?"

Seeing his desperate and demanding demeanor was like looking at my former self. But I felt completely unbothered. If anything, I just felt annoyed.

I stubbed out the cigarette.

"I have told you before," I said flatly. "HQ has wanted me to join them for a long time. You said you weren't going. You said you still had promises to keep, and that if I wanted to go, I should go by myself. Have you forgotten?"

Don's expression stiffened, and he hurriedly tried to explain, "That's not what I meant. I—"

"Let's get a divorce, Don."

A sudden downpour drowned out the words, but Don managed to catch every syllable. His face drained of all color, and his entire body went rigid.

He stared at me blankly.

"I'll pretend I didn't hear that," he said, his voice sounding like it was being squeezed out of his throat. "You've had too much to drink. Let's go home. I've bought a cake. We can celebrate our fifth anniversary properly.

"I even took time off work. We can leave for that honeymoon trip I promised you right away. Also, let's go visit your mom's grave tomorrow. I ordered her favorite flowers. We'll take them to her—"

I avoided his outstretched hand and calmly repeated myself.

"Let's get a divorce."