Chapter 7

"Luther went to warm some milk for you. He said you can't drink anything cold. Honestly, where else would you find a husband this good?" Kai said.

"I'm not done moving the drinks yet. I'll go check on him," he added casually.

Callista's eyes turned red as her nails dug into her palms. How many lies had he told her over the years to get to the point where he could lie so effortlessly?

She couldn't bear to stay another moment.

"I'm tired. I'm heading home," she said flatly.

"Should I ask Luther to take you?" Kai asked. He was a bit uncertain.

Callista stared at him for a long moment. "There's no need. I wouldn't want to ruin his fun."

Kai seemed uneasy under her gaze. "Then, I'll call you a car."

Before getting in, Callista turned back to look at the brother she had raised herself.

Kai's eyes darted away. "What is it, Cally?"

Callista turned and shut the car door without answering. When she got home, Luther's call came almost immediately.

"Why didn't you let me take you home? It's so late. I got so worried about you being alone."

At the same time, a message from Wren lit up her phone.

"Was your first time on this bed too? He said you're too conservative. You always use the same moves.

"It's no wonder he's been so pent up after two days with you. He nearly broke me apart tonight."

Callista thought back to their wedding night. Luther had sensed her nerves immediately.

Instead of staying in their bridal suite, he brought her back to the Caldwell residence, to her familiar childhood room.

That first time, Luther was as restrained as he could be. He was careful with every movement as he put her comfort above all else.

He had been gentle, and tender. When she cried, he cried with her.

"Cally, I love you. I'll make sure you never regret marrying me," he had promised.

But now, she regretted it completely.

Luther called her name again on the phone, testing the silence. At that moment, Callista pressed her hand tightly over her mouth. She was unable to speak through her sobs.

"Is the signal bad? Don't worry, Luther. I booked the car, and the app shows my sister got home safely," Kai's voice cut in.

"Go back to Wren. I'll text my sister in a bit and let her know," he added casually.

"Be careful not to let anything slip," Luther warned.

Kai chuckled. "My sister would never suspect me. Besides, she can't have kids, so what's wrong with someone else having one?"

"Kai!" Luther snapped.

"Don't talk about your sister like that!"

"Alright, alright. I won't say it again."

The call ended, and Kai's promised message soon followed.

"Luther rarely gets a chance to relax. He promised to have a few more drinks with me, so I'll have him stay the night at our place. Don't worry, Cally. I've got him covered."

Then, she received a message from Luther.

"Honey, if you're tired, go to bed early.

"Kai got his first big client today. I'm celebrating with him for both of us. Don't wait up for me."

Callista didn't reply to either message.

In that moment, the storm of emotions in her chest suddenly settled into stillness, and Callista wiped her tears away.

She wasn't going to wait anymore. People who weren't worth it didn't deserve her patience.

That included Luther and Kai.

She got up, went to her room, and left all the heartbreak behind for a peaceful night's sleep.

…

On the morning of their wedding anniversary, Luther prepared her a special breakfast with heart-shaped decorations.

"Honey, tonight you'll finally see the fireworks I've been planning for you," he said with a warm smile.

Callista smiled faintly but didn't say a word.

"I'm heading to the office now. Tonight, we'll watch them together," he said as he stood up.

Just as he was about to leave, Callista opened the drawer. She pulled out the divorce papers she had prepared and slid them across the table.

"Sign them," she said calmly.