Chapter 3

My footsteps faltered.

Five years of marriage, and Yosef still maintained his single facade to the rest of the world. He told me that he needed to focus on his career first.

I swallowed the bitterness in my throat and got down to business.

After handing in my resignation at HR, I went back to my desk to pack up.

I boxed up most of my belongings and arranged to have them shipped home. On my way past the break room, I overheard HR chatting with a coworker over coffee.

"Renee's finally leaving. I have no idea how an Eldish major managed to stick around our company for so long in the first place."

"If you ask me, Yosef only brought her on as a favor to an old classmate!"

The words stung.

Well, I was leaving now, and I'd never come back.

Before I knew it, my feet had carried me to the bakery. I instinctively peered through the window.

There was a familiar back—Yosef.

He was deftly helping Clara pack up takeout orders. Their movements were seamlessly synced, and a natural warmth existed between them.

They looked like a perfect match.

It suddenly hit me that Yosef and I hadn't shared a quiet moment together in a long time.

When did things start to change?

No matter how crazy work got in the past, Yosef always carved out time for me. He would plan romantic surprises or cook dinner with me.

Then, Clara showed up and ruined everything.

Bit by bit, Yosef redirected all the time he used to reserve for me toward her. He would help her out at her shop, drive her to and from work, and care for her in ways that crossed every boundary.

I used to think that it wasn't easy for a young woman to make it on her own, so as seniors and friends, Yosef and I should help her out.

It took Yosef pushing me aside time after time and rushing to Clara's side the moment she called for me to finally see that his love had already drifted to another woman.

Inside the shop, Yosef caught my gaze and looked up. A momentary flicker of panic crossed his face before vanishing just as fast.

He whispered something to Clara, then walked out to meet me.

My eyes shifted to Clara behind him. She flashed me a smug smile, and her eyes dripped with provocation.

My breath caught in my throat.

Just then, Yosef grabbed my arm. "Since you're here, why not come inside? Clara and I are almost done. Let's grab dinner together. Clara has already taken down the post. Don't hold a grudge against her."

I shook my head, declining.

Behind me, Yosef watched my lonely figure disappear and felt an inexplicable sense of irritation.

Back home, I collapsed onto the couch and drifted into a heavy sleep.

It was 9:00 pm when Yosef returned, carrying a takeout bag. He gently nudged me awake.

Setting the food on the dining table, he said softly, "I figured you hadn't eaten yet, so I got us something."

I stared in silence at the taco, covered with a heavy heap of cilantro.

Noticing that I hadn't taken a bite, Yosef frowned. "What's wrong? You don't like it? I thought tacos were your favorite."

I took a deep breath and asked, "Yosef, did you forget that I'm allergic to cilantro?"

He froze, then quickly said, "I'll whip up some pasta for you instead."

I shook my head, stopping him before he could move. "Yosef, let's get a divorce."

His pupils dilated, and his voice turned grave. "Are you serious right now? All this over me forgetting a cilantro allergy?"

I looked him straight in the eye and replied flatly, "It's not just about this."

He let out a furious laugh. "Then, what is it? I didn't reply to your texts? I missed an anniversary? I didn't buy you a gift? Renee, stop throwing a fit. Don't act like a petty teenager all the time."