Chapter 3

We made an effort to get closer to each other, and we eventually reached ninety-nine points.

Before I left for work that day, I was feeling elated over our improving relationship.

That was until Jenny sultrily strutted into my office.

She leaned in close to my ear and whispered in a sickly sweet voice, "Why haven't you divorced your wife yet?"

It turned out my husband had been planning to divorce me and live a happy life with another woman.

To think that I had been overjoyed about us getting closer!

What a joke.

Halfway through my shower at the hotel, I looked down at that thing hanging between my legs. The more I looked at it, the dirtier it felt.

I let out a long sigh. After my shower, I went to bed.

I woke up the next day with a splitting headache. A hangover was a very unpleasant experience.

I looked at my phone and saw a message from 'Nicole'. It was a picture.

She was smiling happily, posing beside Wendy Sanders in a restaurant.

"I'm out shopping with my bestie. If you don't come home tonight, I'll spend the night with her."

It was difficult to suppress my anger. I clenched my fists.

That evening, I returned home as Seth at 6 PM.

Seth quickly opened the door when he heard my footsteps. He had been waiting right at the door.

Suddenly, a piercing voice rang into our ears. It seemed to be simultaneously coming from the inside of the house and the outside.

“Points have been reset to zero! Reset! Reset! Reset!”

I was filled with anger and hate. The man whom I trusted and depended on with all my heart had been cheating on me while telling everyone he was getting a divorce. He was such a jerk! What could be possibly worse than that?

However, he had just managed to top that. He was threatening me by saying he would sleep with my best friend!

When I saw the body that belonged to me take a step back and lean against the wall, I suddenly understood something.

"You really want us to switch back, don't you?"

I remembered all those hugs and kisses. They reminded me of the way I felt when we were dating. We had been close and depended on each other back then. I looked at the counter on my wrist with its huge zero and sneered.

"You're making good money and flirting with a sweet young thing at work. That's why you want to switch back. You were only being so sweet to me because you wanted to return to your old life. I should’ve realized this before.

"You would always turn your back on me after waking up in the morning and seeing me beside you. When we're having our meals, you would rather stare at your phone than at me. I wondered why you were suddenly treating me so well. Now I know you’ve wanted me out of your life for a very long time. I can’t believe I was so happy about your ‘change of heart’. I bet I look like an idiot to you right now.”

Seth seemed eager to prove something. He reached out to hold my hand, but I dodged it.

"It's not what you think, Nicole. I don't have any other girls hanging around me. Don't listen to mindless gossip. I was so worried about you and waited up for you until the morning. Also, my mom stopped by again yesterday. I really had no idea you were having such a hard time with her. I should’ve been more concerned and understanding of you."

I slowly closed the door and took a step forward.

Seth was still trying his best to convince me.

"I've been thinking about a lot of things. First, I'll handle everything related to my mom. I promise to never let her harass you again.

"Secondly, I'll treat our parents the same from now on. Whatever my mom has, so will your mom.

"Finally, I'll get back the money I gave my mom. From now on, I'll deposit a regular monthly allowance into your account from my salary. You can use the money however you like. I've been blind for all these years toward how much you do for our family."

What a beautiful picture he was painting.

I never dreamed that Seth would say such words to me.

My difficulties, anxieties, and troubles had never been addressed before. He was showing me so much understanding, concern, and sincere respect.

How touching.

This was how it felt to be the dominant one in the relationship.

It was also the reason why Seth was being so submissive and gentle with his words.

"If you had only said those words during our wedding anniversary. It's too late now."