Chapter 3

Sean didn't come home that night.

It was noon the next day when he finally walked through the door, carrying a prism begonia.

"The begonias on the balcony are all scorched. Have you even looked at them the past few days?"

The moment he got back, he threw himself straight into checking the plants on the balcony.

"I don't like them, and I don't want to keep them anymore," I said.

"What are you throwing a fit about now?"

Sean placed the prism begonia onto the indoor plant stand.

I looked at it and asked, "Is that for me?"

He avoided my gaze and replied awkwardly, "This… is for someone else. I'll pick one up for you next time I'm passing by."

"Did you get it for Bellona?"

Sean frowned. "How did you know? She likes them, and it was on my way, so I grabbed one for her. What's the big deal?"

"Nothing. I just think you're remarkably good to your ex," I replied.

"We've known each other for over a decade. It was just a small favor. Why are you talking so sarcastically?"

"I didn't say anything."

"Your whole attitude says otherwise," he muttered, running a hand through his hair in frustration.

"She's finally back in town. What's wrong with me buying something to make her happy? Stop making a big deal out of nothing all the time."

Sean slammed his glass down hard, knocking over the crystal box in the corner. Shattered glass mixed with spilled water, leaving a complete mess.

That was our first-anniversary gift. It broke into pieces, and he didn't even glance at it.

"As long as you guys are happy." I didn't want to argue with him anymore, so I got up and went into the bedroom.

"Naomi Russell!" His impatient shout rang out behind me.

"Have you had enough yet? I worked all night, and I'm exhausted! Can't you just be a little understanding for once?"

Understanding.

I was too understanding. That was why Sean felt comfortable using me as a stand-in for his ex, leaving me to guard the garden he built for her like a fool.

So, this time, I didn't want to be understanding anymore.

…

I took a long, hard look at the house and slowly stripped away every trace of myself.

Under the eaves, the botanical wind chime was still chiming.

Sean had hung it up the year he was promoted to associate researcher. Our names were written on it.

He had painted them stroke by stroke using waterproof paint. He told me back then that this way, it would never fade.

I took down the wind chime, plucked off the leaves with our names written on them one by one, and tossed them into the trash.

Just then, a text came in from Sean. "I'm working late. Won't be coming home tonight."

In the past, I would have replied instantly, asking what he wanted to eat and how many people were in the lab, before whipping up supper to bring over.

This time, I didn't reply, and he didn't send another message.

I had bought the armchair in the living room, so I listed it secondhand and had someone haul it away.

The vase on the table was mine too, so I gave it to the neighbor downstairs.

In just two days, I sold off every item, big or small, that I had brought into this home.

Half a suitcase was all it took to pack up my 1,096 days.

Sean rarely paid attention to household matters anyway, and he didn't notice a thing out of the ordinary.

Instead, he seemed quite pleased with how quiet I'd been, assuming I was being understanding again.

With a heavy rain warning issued, I moved the high-perched flowerpots indoors.

"See? Wouldn't it have been better if you acted like this earlier?" Sean picked up the cup of warm milk I had set out and sat down at the dining table.

"There's a gathering this week. Take a day off and come with me."

"Why should I go?" I asked.

"Didn't you always complain that I never introduce you to my friends? Bellona happens to be holding an exhibition. She just got back and needs people to show up and support her. You can come along and expand your horizons."

The way he framed it made it sound like this opportunity was some generous gift to me.

When I used to beg to step into his social circle, he always claimed I wouldn't fit in, that I wouldn't care about the things they talked about, and that I'd just end up sitting there playing on my phone.

Now he was taking me along just to pad the headcount and warm up the crowd for his ex.

I agreed to go.

…

On the day of the exhibition, my work didn't wrap up until close to noon.

Sean called to rush me.

"I'm out in the suburbs. It's hard to catch a cab here," I said.

"Naomi, if you don't want to come, just say it."

A woman's voice called out beside him, "It's alright. We can wait."

Sean replied, "This event is really important for you. She's always dragging her feet. There's no need to waste time waiting for her."

His tone was dripping with tenderness and consideration.

He ended the call after throwing out one last remark. "If you can't make it, then don't bother."

In that fraction of a second, I suddenly really wanted to see what kind of woman Bellona actually was.