Chapter 5

There was no doubt that Ivy had skin as white as snow, along with attractive long legs and an ample bosom.

And there was no doubt that in my last life, I had been deeply in love with her up until my death.

Looking Kyle in the eye, I admitted, "Everyone has that phase where they're young and stupid. Either way, she has another man now—it's just not right to force myself on her."

"What?! That bitch is now cheating on you too?"

"No." I shook my head, explaining, "She loved another even before we married. That doesn't count as cheating."

While it was too late when I came to realize the truth, I believed that Ivy had never cheated in our two-year marriage, and her one true love had been interested in someone else. Even if Ivy could come on strong at times, she knew better than to go too far.

However, we only grew further apart by the third year of our marriage. And with my illness making things worse, I had no way of finding out.

Nonetheless, Kyle's cheeks were flushed with indignation. "That only makes her worse, treating her own husband as a rebound. She deserves what's coming for her…"

He paused and nodded in understanding. "Well, she's nothing good in the first place. Unlike you—at least you're loyal."

I chuckled as I knocked shoulders with him. "You're right. Aside from the people I really care about, I'm giving up on everyone else."

Those who did not love me would inevitably leave.

Those who did would always stay at my side, if not hover near me.

I had decided that I would protect myself and the people I cared about, the rest could do as they pleased.

Sighing, Kyle said, "That would be for the best. But is that really why you're divorcing her? Or is there something else?"

"I'm just not that into her now," I shrugged, my response half-hearted.

"Ah." Kyle nodded, feigning surprise. "And you think I should believe you, or should I get myself a lottery ticket in case I win the jackpot?"

I smiled despite my exasperation—it was the truth. "Can't say that I'm over her entirely… I did love her for the longest time, but my heart isn't exactly racing for her now."

"The longest time? You've just been married for a year." Kyle exposed me right then.

Caught off guard and having no witty response, I simply shrugged.

Kyle sighed in turn and refrained from pressing the issue. "Whatever. It's good that you're leaving her anyway, as I've told you all this while.

"There are plenty of fish in the sea, and any one of them is always a better choice than that bitch. And you have the looks, the riches, and you're nice enough too. The ladies would be fighting over themselves for you, but you had to be so short-sighted and pick up someone else's leftovers."

Having ranted enough, he changed the subject. "So? What's it going to be after the divorce?"

I thought about it. "Get a job, build a successful career, and live a good life."

Kyle chuckled, nodding in understanding. "You've finally come around—hell, you should've done that career thing from the start. I mean, you were always the top in our class and outperformed me by far, and all the teachers were dead sure that you'd become the best of the best."

"That was until you decided to let all your talents go to rot for Ivy Jenner… That was just so frustrating. Anyway, let's stop talking about her. I just happen to be acquainted with some folks who are hiring people with your expertise, so let's go meet up with him tomorrow."

"Sure." I promptly nodded.

I did not ask Ivy for money, and she might not give me any anyway. As such, I would have zero income once we were divorced, and I should ideally get a job to resolve that issue.

While Kyle and I had plenty to talk about, we had to cut things short since we would be meeting the partner tomorrow.

Still, before we turned in for the night, Kyle suddenly asked, "Are you still in touch with Millie?"

I paused, my heart hurting as if it was clogged.

That name had really become a distant memory for me…

Seeing my reaction, Kyle sighed and clapped me on the shoulder. "If not for her, you wouldn't have married Ivy Jenner and suffered. If she finds out that you're getting a divorce now…"

He trailed off since I was silent, quickly catching on that he had touched a nerve.

"Well, off to bed," he quickly changed the subject and headed off to his room.

I did the same, but I lay there, sleepless until daybreak.

When I finally started to doze off, I was jolted awake as my phone started to ring.

Fighting back annoyance, I answered it without looking. "Who is it?! Don't you know what time it is?!"

"Where are you, Isaac?"

Ivy?

Not only did she sound urgent, but I could swear she was choking with tears.

Still, my groggy brain cleared slightly, only to fume when I saw that it was only half past five.

"Are you crazy?! Why are you calling me this early?" I snapped.

She was silent for a while, and when she finally answered, she sounded dejected. "I had a dream… you were cutting yourself, and then you died horribly."

I clenched my fist even as I gritted my teeth. "Are you that obsessed with me dying? Is that why you're having those dreams? Also, if I'm really dead, what's the point of calling me? Would that save me?"

In my last life, I had called her because I needed her to arrange my funeral. The fact that she was saying that now while I was alive and well only made her words laughable!

Ivy thought so too, so she did not press the issue. "Where's the first aid kit in the mansion? And how do I boil water?"

Oh, there she went, treating me as a slave again.

Hell, I now wondered if the dreams she spoke of were real.

In all likelihood, she just wanted to order me around again.

Still, before I could hang up, Ivy suddenly purred, "My stomach hurts…"

My brow creased.

There was a quiver in her voice, and I started to worry as if by instinct…

Eventually, I sighed. "Third drawer under the TV in the living room. There's a kettle in the kitchen cabinet, and I only take two pills—no more, no less."

"Okay," Ivy replied tamely, and I soon heard her rummaging through the drawers.

Still, I soon came to my senses and slapped myself twice.

How was this any of my business?

"Look, we're divorcing soon," I said, "so let's draw a line in the sand now. You shouldn't ask me about stuff like this… Hell, you shouldn't talk to me about anything. And since you woke me from my sleep, I demand compensation!"

The only response I got was a snort and a proud retort. "Compensation? For you?"

I snorted in turn. "Of course. You've been living off me ever since we married, and I even sacrificed my precious youth. Don't you think I deserve compensation?"

That only got Ivy even more contemptible. "Your precious youth? Aren't you supposed to be a grown man? But I guess you're finally realizing why wealth matters above the rest."

"Absolutely."

I shrugged, taking her retort in stride. "All I care about is money, and it's so much better than you. I mean, what do you have? Terrible personality, picky with food, people, and hygiene… Oh, and barren. Tut, tut."

After all, what had I gotten in return for slaving myself as a househusband in my previous life?

Nothing. Not a damn thing.

Well, at least I could get rich in this life.

That was when I heard Ivy gnashing her teeth before bellowing, "Isaac!!!"

She was obviously ready for another round of verbal abuse, so I did not hesitate to hang up on her, close my eyes, and sleep.

Before I had even put away my phone, however, Ivy called me again, and I hung up on her again.

That just felt so good, and I really did not think that I would have a chance when it had always been her hanging up on me in my last life.

Well, at least I did not have to walk a tightrope, constantly worrying over incurring her dissatisfaction just so that I could stay married to her.

From now on, I was nobody's dog—I was my own person, a happy person…