Chapter 2

In a daze, I watched as Nolan and his group hurried off to their next party.

I could still hear him talking to his assistant on the phone. "Send her home," he said, without a trace of concern.

Old memories flooded my mind at that moment.

Snapping back to reality, I didn't wait for Nolan to respond. I walked past him and left the bar.

I had delivered his grandfather's message. Whether Nolan wanted to go or not, that was his choice.

I had never once given him the cold shoulder. This was probably the first time since we had gotten married.

I must've caught him off guard because even as I left, Nolan was still standing there, dumbfounded.

The moment I got into the car, Nolan called.

"It was just a friendly kiss! What's with the attitude?"

The first thing he did was complain about my behavior earlier.

Leaving without a word must've embarrassed him in front of his friends.

I felt a sharp pang in my chest.

So, it was normal for "friends" to be so intimate with each other. Did that mean Nolan and I were just "friends" too?

On the other end of the line, I could faintly hear his friends' taunts.

"When Nolan gets home, Yvette will be crying and clinging to him again."

"It's hilarious that she has kept begging him not to leave her from their dating days till now."

"Shh, Nolan's still on the phone."

I remembered the saying that one would know if someone truly loved you from the way their friends treated you.

It was something I had always known but had chosen to ignore.

"Come back and apologize to Ruby. You made her uncomfortable," Nolan ordered. "If you don't do that, I'm not coming home."

I couldn't help but laugh at his familiar threats.

"Whatever."

In the past, those words would've had power over me because I loved him. But now? I didn't want to live like this anymore.

After hanging up, I glanced at my phone.

Ruby had posted something on her social media after I left.

The photo showed a man's hand holding a wine glass with the caption: "He's always by my side."

Having been with Nolan for so many years, I recognized his hand instantly.

It was him.

Besides, he was still wearing the wedding ring from our marriage on his right hand.

I thought I wouldn't feel anything anymore, but my eyes still welled up with tears after seeing her post.

Nolan had liked the post.

I liked it too and left a comment: "Congratulations and best wishes."

I stared at the diamond ring on my finger as it caught the light.

After hesitating for a moment, I took it off.

I had worn it for so long that it felt more like a trap than a symbol of love.

For the first time in three years, I posted something new on my social media.

"Prioritize self-love and grant others the freedom they seek."

Then, I scrolled through my old posts. The last one was a picture from our wedding day.

I was smiling brightly, and my eyes were filled with affection for Nolan, completely unaware of the irritation in his.

That night, I went to bed early.

For once, I didn't call Nolan nor did I leave a light on for him.

When we first got married, Nolan was always busy with work and came home late.

I used to prepare meals and wait for him at the dining table.

The moment I heard the door open, I would rush to greet him, hoping he'd gently stroke my hair and praise my cooking as a normal husband might.

Instead of that, Nolan would walk past me with a dark expression and frown upon the meal I had prepared.

"Do I have to deal with you after dealing with clients all day?" he had once said.

I was taken aback by his words. I never imagined he would say that to me.

I had kept my smile even though I felt heartbroken then.

"I just wanted to have dinner with you. I thought you'd be tired from working late."

"Don't assume," he had snapped.

That was the first time I had waited for Nolan to come home.

Back then, I thought he was just exhausted. Now, looking back, I realized he simply didn't like me.

Even leaving a single light on for him in the living room was, in his eyes, an unnecessary gesture.