Chapter 2

When I pushed open the door, the light in the living room blinded me and made me squint. Rose was curled up on the couch, engrossed in her phone, not even looking up when she heard the door opening. "Why so late? I'm starving. Cook for me right now."

I silently put down my luggage and walked into the kitchen.

As the refrigerator door opened, a musty smell hit me. The only remaining few vegetable leaves had turned yellow and rotten. Clearly, Rose had not even been home during the two months that I was away on my work trip.

I took out my phone and placed a grocery order. I quickly cooked up a full spread.

Rose picked at the food with her fork. "The salad is too salty. The pork ribs are overcooked."

Finally, she simply tossed her cutlery. "Are you stupid? Can't you learn from Eden? You can't even cook a proper meal. What else can you do well?"

Yes, she had always considered me useless.

In the past, I would have slapped the table and told her, "Eat if you want. Forget it if you don't."

Thinking of the remaining seven days, all my anger turned into a gentle reply. "Then I'll be more careful next time."

Of course, there would be no next time.

Rose was taken aback by my compliance. She paused, about to say something, when her phone suddenly rang. Her expression softened instantly the moment she saw Eden's name on the caller ID.

"What is it, Eden?" Her voice was sweet as honey, nothing like the sharp, biting tone she used with me.

Whatever was said on the other end made her jump to her feet. "I'll be right there!"

After hanging up, she explained while slipping on her coat, "Eden's in a bad mood. I'll go keep him company."

I had seen this scene play out countless times. I did not try to stop her; I simply watched her leave in silence. She seemed pleased by my sensibility. Just before walking out, she said something she rarely said. "I'll be back soon."

I murmured a word of acknowledgement but did not take what she said to heart. I knew she would not be coming back tonight.

Ten minutes later, Eden published a post on social media. The photo showed Rose wearing an apron, cooking in the kitchen with gentleness on her face.

Eden’s caption read: [The happiest thing in the world is eating a meal cooked by the person you love.]

I almost felt like shipping them myself.

Quite a few mutual friends had already liked and commented on the post.

[Eden’s the man. A dream man just hits different.]

[They’re such a perfect match.]

[Sending my best wishes!]

I suddenly remembered the day we registered our marriage. Rose had not even posted about it on social media.

Her excuse was that she "disliked displaying affection in public", yet here she was—wearing an apron and cooking for Eden—openly appearing in everyone's sight.

Throughout our five years of marriage, Rose had always been lukewarm toward me. Her friends also looked down on me, secretly calling me a shameless simp.

However, I stopped caring about their opinions a long time ago.

After all, I was leaving soon. Their mockery and ridicule no longer concerned me.