Chapter 1

When I received the bouquet of flowers earlier that day, I was actually happy.

I thought Keith Reed had finally come to his senses and prepared a surprise for our wedding anniversary.

But when I read the card that came with the flowers, my smile froze on my face.

It read, "Keith, thank you for coming all this way to perform my aunt's surgery off the books. My family and I are extremely grateful. I've chosen these flowers specifically for you. I think it's perfect for 'us'. I hope you'll like it. Yours, Sonia Peterson."

My grip slipped, and the bouquet crashed onto the floor.

Three years ago, Dad had fallen gravely ill.

The doctor said he had to undergo surgery as soon as possible.

But the doctors at the county hospital lacked the medical expertise for the procedure, and Dad was too weak to handle a long-distance transfer to another hospital.

I was crying as I begged Keith to come to my hometown and perform Dad's surgery.

But he told me, "Our hospital strictly forbids unsanctioned surgeries. Work is work. I can't break the rules for personal relationships."

In the end, Dad died in the ambulance during the transfer.

I would carry that regret for the rest of my life.

At Dad's funeral, I specifically chose the black datura to place on his casket.

It suited Dad perfectly. After all, the flower symbolized unpredictable death and undying love.

But as it turned out, there was nothing unpredictable about it.

I had countless nightmares since then. Whenever I recalled Dad's gray hair as he lay dying, I would cry so much that my whole body shook.

I repeatedly convinced myself not to hate Keith for it. After all, everyone had principles they would defend at all costs.

But as it turned out, rules could be broken, and principles could also be compromised.

The only problem was, I wasn't worth the trouble.

After finalizing the matters regarding the divorce with my best friend, Hailey Walker, I ended the call.

I calmly took down the ribbons and balloons I had put up beforehand. Then, I tossed them all into the trash can.

After that, I typed in the search bar on the computer, "Ridgecrest Highway Solo Drive Guide".

Photos immediately popped up on the screen. There were snowcapped mountains, grassy plains, enormous lakes, and a winding road that stretched into the horizon.

I had once made a promise with Dad that someday, we would drive along Ridgecrest Highway with our cameras ready.

After Dad's death, Keith tried to comfort me and said he would take Dad's place in fulfilling that promise.

But that year, Keith had just been promoted to attending physician. He was so busy that he couldn't even make time for meals.

He needed a full-time wife to take care of him and handle other trivial matters for him.

So, I closed down my own studio and changed careers from a photographer to the wife of Keith Reed.

That year, I won a national photography award and received offers from many top-tier companies. My future was looking up.

But in the end, I still gave it all up without hesitation.

Later on, Keith became the youngest chief of cardiothoracic surgery, and he was a renowned expert in his field.

I once thought that my sacrifices and contributions were worth it.

But now that I thought about it, I was just pathetic.

The sound of the door being unlocked interrupted my thoughts.

Keith had come home.

He took off his coat and glanced at the empty dining table. Then, he frowned. "Where's dinner?"

I stared at the computer screen, and I didn't even look up as I answered, "I didn't feel like it. I'm exhausted."

His frown deepened. "You can't possibly be as exhausted as me."

Before I could answer, his phone rang.

He glanced at the incoming call display, then picked up almost immediately. "What's wrong?"

A meek female voice rang out from the other end of the phone.

His tense expression visibly relaxed, and I could even spy a hint of a smile on his face.

He said, "Don't worry. I'll be right there."

I could hear hoots and cheers of his hospital colleagues coming from the other end of the line.

Someone said, "Oh, Ms. Peterson is asking for help again."

Another person said, "Please hurry, Dr. Reed. The head nurse can't hang on any longer."

There was continuous laughter, and it sounded like a relaxed atmosphere over there. I could even pick up some sense of excitement from playing matchmaker.

I was Keith's legal wife, but at that moment, I felt like an outsider.

After ending the call, Keith grabbed the coat he had taken off and put it back on.

I couldn't help asking, "Was it Sonia?"

He froze for a second. "Something's come up with a patient, and I'm the only one she can turn to. This is a serious matter, so don't read too much into it."

With that, he turned around and headed outside.

I watched him leave.

Last week, he had also rushed out the door like this. He told me he had to attend a medical conference for three days.

Thinking back on it, I realized it wasn't a medical conference at all.

He had traveled 300 miles just to perform surgery on Sonia's aunt.

"Keith," I called out to him.

He turned around. "What is it?"

I gazed at him and asked quietly, "Do you remember what day it is today?"

Without another thought, he responded, "International Children's Day?"

I put on a wry smile. He had really forgotten that it was our fifth wedding anniversary.

Still, I was glad that it would be the last.

"Never mind." I looked away. "All the best for work."

Keith looked at me. He seemed to have realized something.

He went silent for a moment before asking stiffly, "I'll come back as soon as I'm done. Do you want me to get supper for you?"

I shook my head. "It's okay."

He wouldn't have to do that ever again.

After Keith left, I changed my clothes and went to the restaurant I had booked a week in advance.

The restaurant was full of couples, and I was the only lone customer.

The waiter asked, "Miss, when will your partner be here?"

I smiled. "He's not coming."

He wouldn't come ever again.

After dinner, I called a car dealership. "I'd like an SUV with better specs, please, one that can handle Ridgecrest Highway. My budget is around 120,000 dollars."

The manager told me there was a model that met my requirements, but it was currently out of stock due to its high popularity. They needed a week to ship it in from another branch.

Seven days was enough for me to leave the past behind and deal with this messy marriage.

I replied, "I'll take that, then. I'll pick up the car next week."

After ending the call, I pulled up the browser and continued looking up solo drive guides for Ridgecrest Highway.

As I swiped through the photos, I felt like the dream I had been putting off for five years was finally becoming more vivid.

Soon, Hailey called to tell me she had drafted the divorce agreement and sent it to my inbox.

I responded in a low voice, "Okay."

She was silent for a moment, but then she couldn't stand it anymore. "Clara, you love him, don't you? Are you really going to just let it go?"

I asked her in return, "Have you ever seen Keith compromising his principles and throwing caution to the wind for someone?"

"No," she replied honestly.

"I have." Gazing at the boundless night outside the window, I put on a forlorn smile. "But it wasn't for me."