Chapter 4

But really, I just wanted to sit next to Joanne.

Philip sat up front, chattering away with Joanne, talking about things going on in their company.

I didn't understand, nor could I get a word in, so I simply closed my eyes and pretended to doze off.

Suddenly, Philip turned to ask me, "Gary, how come you didn't go to Nina Kern's birthday party the day before yesterday?"

Nina's birthday? I opened my eyes.

No one had invited me. I could hardly go inviting myself and spoil the mood, could I?

"I didn't know she was having a birthday party," I replied softly.

"How could you not know?" Philip asked in surprise. "Nina and Joanne are so close."

I smiled and said nothing.

It was true, Nina and Joanne were as close as sisters.

Last month, Joanne didn't come home after her flight back from abroad. Instead, she went with Philip to the mountains to do some stargazing.

When I asked Nina about it, she even covered for Joanne. Only she didn't know that I'd already learned from Philip's Instagram post.

That time I cried and threw a fit. Joanne didn't want to stay at home, so she stayed at a hotel for three days.

Upon hearing what Philip said, Joanne glanced at me through the rearview mirror a little guiltily. I paid her no attention and simply closed my eyes again.

The takeout arrived at the same time we got home. I changed my clothes and started eating.

Joanne came out of the bathroom and asked, "Where's mine?"

I was a little surprised. "Didn't you already have your dinner?"

Her expression froze for a moment. Then, she sat down across from me, looking as if she had something to say.

In the past, I would never have been able to resist taking the initiative to ask her how her day was, but now I just wanted to focus on enjoying my meal.

"Gary, when it was Nina's birthday, we were still in the middle of our cold war. So, I—"

I cut her off. "It's not a big deal. Plus, it's already in the past. There's no need to bring it up again."

A look of bewilderment flashed across her face—because she had said exactly the same thing to me more than once.

The most recent time was when I was having a meal with Nina and asked her why she had helped Joanne deceive me.

At the time, Nina first glanced at Joanne to gauge her reaction. She then gave a faint, ambiguous smile.

"Gary, I just didn't want to cause problems between you two."

I was about to press further, but Joanne was already thoroughly fed up.

"It's not a big deal! Plus, it's already in the past. Are you seriously going to kick up a fuss about it now?" she had snapped in a low voice.

After dinner, Joanne showed no sign of leaving.

I took the opportunity to pull out the divorce papers my lawyer, Ramon Schmitt, had drawn up from my bag.

She glanced at the title and laughed in disbelief. "What's the meaning of this? Are you going to ask for a divorce again?"

She threw the divorce papers at my feet.

I picked them up and handed them to her again. "I'm being serious."

"Do you actually enjoy causing trouble every day?"

I shut up, for I knew if I said anything more, it'd just lead to another heated argument.

Joanne stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

I couldn't be bothered to find out where she went or what she did anymore.

Calmly, I placed the divorce papers in her study, then continued reviewing the Bellford property listings I hadn't gotten through during the day.

By the time I was ready for bed, Joanne still hadn't come back. Just as well, I was perfectly happy with the peace and freedom.

The next day, Joanne came to pick me up from work again.

I didn't refuse. It was a treatment I hadn't enjoyed in all these years—no point being difficult about it now.

I pulled open the back door and got in.

Joanne had a weird look on her face. "Gary, why are you sitting in the back?"

I looked at her, puzzled. "It's all the same wherever I sit."

"Then come sit up front."

Without commenting either way, I got out and moved to the passenger seat.

Something small jabbed me in the backside. I picked it up and looked at it—it was a vape pen.

Joanne immediately explained, "It's probably Philip's. He's pretty careless, always leaving things behind…"

Her voice trailed off under my gaze, and she looked at me somewhat uneasily.

I handed the vape pen to her. "Then don't forget to return it to him. This brand is quite expensive."