Chapter 3

After hanging up the phone, I calmly shut down my laptop. "It's nothing. I was just discussing a divorce case with Mr. Powell."

Frederick's expression changed instantly, and he rushed over to me. "What divorce? Do you want to divorce me?"

I took two steps back and replied dismissively, "No, it's a case. Mr. Powell wanted my opinion on something."

Only then did Frederick relax, handing me the paper bag he'd been carrying. "This is for you."

The logo on the bag belonged to my favorite bakery. Before we were married, whenever he upset me, he would run to this shop to buy me a cake. The place was always busy, requiring at least two hours of waiting in line each time.

He would personally wait in line regardless of the weather to make me happy, just because I wanted some. Sometimes I felt bad for him and suggested he hire a delivery service instead.

However, Frederick would always say, "Cece, it's fine. I'm more than happy to do it for you."

Remembering this warmed my heart, and I couldn't help but smile as I took the bag and opened it. "I can't believe you still remember. Wait, what is this?"

I stared at him in shock, a terrible feeling rising in my chest. Inside the bag weren't the cakes I expected, but two pieces of clothing that reeked of alcohol. One was Frederick's suit jacket, and the other was the dress Emma had worn tonight.

Faced with my questioning look, Frederick seemed unusually embarrassed. "Emma's dress got dirty. I figured since you're used to doing the laundry anyway, it's just as easy to wash two articles of clothing. So I just brought them both back."

Then, he seemed to remember something, and his tone turned dismissive. "Besides, I'll just use another reconciliation voucher. We have so many left anyway, so you don't need to be petty about it."

All my words got stuck in my throat. I wanted to tell him that there weren't many left, as only two vouchers remained.

However, when the words reached my lips, I just looked at him deeply. Then, I stuffed the clothes into the washing machine. Previously, I never used the machine to ensure his clothes stayed perfectly clean and always hand-washed everything piece by piece.

Looking back, I had been such a fool. What I thought was being a good wife had made me nothing more than a free housekeeper in his eyes.

I laughed bitterly at myself and closed the laundry room door before returning to the bedroom. Seeing me return so quickly, Frederick looked surprised.

"That fast? Did you get them clean? That's Emma's favorite dress, and I promised her you'd wash it properly."

I hummed in acknowledgment and began getting ready for bed.

Just then, a familiar ringtone came from outside. Frederick glanced nervously at my expression before taking his phone and sneaking out to the balcony.

I quietly followed and overheard Emma's sweet voice. "Mr. Morrison, the cake you bought me was so delicious! I've never had a cake like this before. It's just that the line was a bit long. I feel so bad."

Frederick glanced toward the bedroom and replied indulgently, "It's nothing. Whenever you want some, I'll buy it for you. I'm happy to do it for you."

Emma giggled sweetly and said coquettishly, "What about my dress? Is it really okay to have Ms. Harper wash it? I don't want to make things difficult for you."

Frederick chuckled softly. "What's difficult about it? She's used to doing it. Besides, your hands are so beautiful. I'd feel terrible if you had to do rough work like that."

I froze and instinctively looked down at my own hands.