Chapter 4

On Axel's main account, he didn't chat much. I was pinned at the top.

But on his secondary account, the only contacts were Lindsay's two accounts. In their private chats, they had talked almost every single day over the past three years.

They had been chatting constantly recently, as she was going through a divorce. She complained nonstop about her ex-husband, and he comforted her every single time.

There came a few knocks on the door.

"Honey, why aren't you out yet? Are you having an upset stomach?" Axel asked from outside.

My heart started racing. Anger and heartbreak filled my heart. All I could hear was the pounding of my heartbeat in my ears. My mind screamed at me to rush out and beat the adulterous pair up.

Still, I held it in and said, "I'll be right out."

I tapped on his phone for a bit and recorded evidence of his affair. Then, I pretended that nothing was wrong and casually tossed his phone onto the couch.

When I reached the dining table, I realized they were already seated. There was an empty seat on Axel's left. Lindsay had taken up the seat on his right.

Each person had a glass of alcohol in front of them.

Axel gave me a candid smile and said, "Honey, they said it's more fun to drink."

Lindsay's eyes lit up as she looked at the dishes on the table. "Axel, you're so good at cooking. Everything looks scrumptious. Susanna is so lucky. I'm jealous. Here's a toast to you as thanks for cooking us a feast!"

She raised her glass. The other drivers followed suit.

I just sat there silently and watched as they laughed and clinked glasses.

When they finally settled down, I asked, "If everyone's drinking, who's driving you home?"

The male drivers all shrugged and said their wives would come pick them up. After that, all eyes turned to Lindsay.

She had already downed a glass by then.

She said, "It's fine. I'll take a taxi home. I'll just leave the car here and drive it back tomorrow after I sober up."

Axel immediately set down his glass and pushed it toward me. "If that's the case, please drink for me, honey. That way, I'll be able to drive since I'll be sober. I'll drive Lindsay home later. It's so late. I'm not comfortable with her taking a taxi alone."

Since I didn't know how to drive, I couldn't help in this situation.

The other drivers chimed in, egging things on. My hands that were resting on my lap under the table clenched tighter and tighter.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, the wives of the other drivers came to pick them up. Only Lindsay remained, drunkenly slumped and clinging to the couch as she cried and cursed her ex-husband.

I quietly watched as Axel moved closer and comforted her gently.

Faintly, I heard Lindsay say to Axel, "Axel, you're such a nice man… The woman who gets to be your wife must have saved the galaxy in her past life… No… I should just leave. I can't interfere with your relationship with Susanna. If you take me home… I'm afraid she'll get jealous."

Her actions contradicted her words because she was grabbing Axel's arm firmly.

I felt utterly disgusted.

Axel continued coaxing her, "It's fine, really. Susanna isn't the jealous type. I'll take you home."

I pursed my lips and handed him a glass of water. "Let her stay here."

Axel looked a little embarrassed as he mumbled that he hadn't expected Lindsay to drink so much. He helped her into the guest bedroom.

Not long after, Lindsay started acting willfully under the pretense of drunkenness. She ended up in the master bedroom that Axel and I shared. She got onto our bed and lay completely motionless there.

Axel scrambled around caring for her until he was drenched in sweat.

After coming out of the room, he said to me groggily, "Don't worry about the table, honey. I'll clean it up when I wake up. I'm kind of sleepy."

As soon as he finished speaking, he collapsed onto the couch and fell asleep.

I had added something to the glass of warm water I handed him earlier.

II grabbed his phone and PayPaled myself every last cent I’d spent on him over the years. In the transaction note, I typed: 'Voluntary personal gift. Exempt from marital property.

Then I called and asked Axel's whole family to come over.

I announced, "I want a divorce."