Chapter 8

On the other end of the line, there was a long silence, broken only by Chandler's heavy breathing.

We were in the same city, yet it felt as if we were miles apart, separated by an ocean.

I remembered the early years when Chandler would always visit me during breaks. He'd say that I was just abroad, and as long as we made an effort, we could always find a way to meet.

But in the end, that very sentiment became his excuse for his infidelity.

I was about to hang up when Chandler suddenly asked, "Do your parents know you're getting a divorce?"

I hesitated before responding, "I'll tell them soon."

He was quiet for a moment before his voice softened with a trace of pleading. "It's my birthday in a couple of days. Let's go to my parents' house for dinner and talk."

He hung up quickly, almost as if he didn't want to hear my refusal.

After some thought, I decided to go to the Armstrong residence on his birthday.

No matter what had happened, his parents had always treated me well. They