Chapter 4

Erin stood in the kitchen doorway at 6:00 am while I was making coffee. She hadn't slept well the night before, so her long hair was disheveled, and there were dark circles under her eyes.

"Richard, I was too harsh last night."

It was one of the few times she had ever lowered herself like this.

In the past, whenever she did this, I would swallow all my grievances and let them go. This time, I merely poured the coffee into the cup and nodded.

Erin took a step closer. "I'll have the ring fixed, and I'll have someone recreate the boutonniere too."

"You can't replace that."

Erin fell silent.

On the table, her phone vibrated, and I caught sight of Mark's name. She declined the call. Within two seconds, it rang again. Erin answered this time, lowering her voice. "What is it?"

Mark's anxious voice came through the phone, "Erin, my parents saw the video. They called me shameless and told me to get out. I don't know what to do."

Erin glanced at me. "I'll go over later."

I picked up my coffee.

She said, "I need to take care of this."

I asked, "Do you remember what today is?"

Erin paused.

Today was supposed to be the day we went in for our IVF evaluation. All these years, I had always wanted a child. Erin used to say there was no rush. Later, she said life was already too boring to take on the responsibility of having a child.

After the fake wedding last year, I became depressed for a long time. She comforted me and promised that we would seriously start trying for a baby after our anniversary this year, and I believed her.

The appointment slip was still stuck to the refrigerator.

It was evident that Erin had just remembered. "We can still make it this afternoon."

I looked at her. "We have an appointment at 9:00 am."

Erin frowned. "Richard, Mark is pretty shaken up right now."

"So?"

Her voice turned frosty. "Can you stop comparing everything to him? Something might happen to him."

I laughed. "Something could happen to me too."

Erin froze.

I pulled open the drawer and took out the appointment slip. "The doctor said I've been under too much stress these past two years, and my test results aren't good. Did you know that?"

She swallowed hard. "You didn't tell me."

"I did." My eyes focused on her. "You were just too busy discussing the schedule for that fake wedding last year with Mark and the others."

Erin's face turned ashen.

Just then, the doorbell rang, and she went to answer it. An upset-looking Mark stood outside, his hair a mess. He immediately grabbed Erin's arm. "Erin, I don't have anywhere else to go."

Erin instinctively clasped his hand, then placed her other hand on his back. Her gesture was so practiced that my eyes stung.

Mark saw me and hurriedly pulled away. "Richard, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to."

Erin said, "Let him stay at our place today."

"Our place?"

She didn't look at me. "Just for today."

Mark spoke softly, "I can sleep on the couch. I won't be a bother."

I looked at him. "No need for that."

A hopeful glimmer appeared in his eyes. Erin also let out a sigh of relief.

I walked into the bedroom and took out my suitcase.

Erin's expression changed. "Richard, what are you doing?"

As I took a few of my clothes out of the closet, I said, "I'm leaving."

She tried to stop me. "You're leaving home over something so small?"

"I'm not." I sidestepped her. "I'm separating from you."

Mark fell silent.

Erin seemed genuinely hurt for the first time, her voice dropping. "Say that again."

I finally looked at her. "Erin, we're separating. My lawyer will contact you about the next steps."

She stared at me before suddenly bursting into laughter. "Lawyer? Richard, are you playing along with this year's theme?"

I didn't respond.

Erin kicked my suitcase. "If you're done throwing a tantrum, let's go to the hospital. I'll accompany you."

Her phone rang again. This time, it was from Mark's mother. When Mark noticed the caller, he trembled in fear.

Erin went over to the balcony. "Hi, Mrs. Levine."

I picked up my suitcase.

Mark stood behind me, asking softly, "Richard, you're not going to leave, are you?"

As I zipped the suitcase up, he continued, "You always say you can't stand these pranks, but Erin always manages to sweet-talk you into forgiving her."

I looked at him. A trace of provocation remained in his eyes, and the corners of his lips curved into the faintest of smiles.

"You can't live without Erin."

The balcony door opened, and Erin said, "Richard, we'll go to the hospital another day. Mark's parents are coming over. I need to settle this for him."

I nodded.

Erin thought I had given in, her features softening. "Go rest in the room. Let's talk again after I'm done settling this."

She realized something was wrong and hurried after me as I headed for the door. "Richard."

I unlocked the door. The mover I had booked the night before was standing outside. He glanced between us. "Mr. Topp, should I start?"

The color slowly drained from Erin's face.

I placed the keys on the entryway table. "Yeah."