Chapter 2

The moment Natalie saw Jeffrey's expression, she knew—he really didn't remember. Jeffrey pressed his lips together. He had spent five years living with her, but to him, those years didn't feel long or difficult. In fact, they passed in the blink of an eye. It all felt so fast that it almost didn't seem real to him. Had it really been five years? Natalie smiled a little. "Well, here's to us. On our fifth anniversary, we've finally decided to end this exhausting marriage." As she smiled and set the cake down, her eyes started to glisten with tears. Natalie had made the cake herself. From the cake base to the frosting to the fruit, everything was her own work. The cake was covered with a thick layer of mango slices. Natalie was allergic to mangoes. Her mouth would break out in blisters, and her hands would get itchy bumps. But Jeffrey loved mangoes. He had seen her allergic reaction when she ate them, but didn't seem to care. In fact, he didn't even seem to remember. The next day, mangoes showed up on the table again. So today, Natalie put on gloves in the kitchen, carefully peeling and chopping the mangoes while putting all her love into making the cake. She imagined, and even hoped, that when she presented the cake, the ice in Jeffrey's gaze would melt a little as he looked at her. But sadly, it was just her being delusional. She cut a small piece of the cake and handed it to him. Just then, Jeffrey's phone rang. He looked at the caller ID, and his expression softened in an instant. "Hey, Ab." "I've arrived, Jeffrey." Abigail's cheerful voice came through the phone. "Do you want to come pick me up?" Before Jeffrey could answer, she added, "If it's not convenient for you, it's fine. I'll just take a cab." Jeffrey raised an eyebrow. "Wasn't your flight tomorrow?" "I changed the flight and came back early. Jeffrey, I really couldn't wait to see you. I missed you so much." Jeffrey smiled, his voice deep and warm. "I'll be right there." He hung up, turned, and walked away. Natalie stood there, still holding the cake. "Take a bite." She tried to keep her voice steady, holding back her tears. But Jeffrey didn't even pause. Seeing that, Natalie took a deep breath. "I made it myself." Jeffrey didn't even glance at her. "I don't have the time." He was in a rush to pick up Abigail, and he had no time to waste. Natalie bit her lip. "Jeffrey, would it kill you to spend one extra second away from Abigail?" Apparently, that did the trick. Jeffrey immediately turned back to her with eyes sharp as blades. After a few seconds, he grabbed the plate from her and slammed his fist down on top of the cake. It was destroyed instantly, the words "Happy Fifth Anniversary" on top of it vanishing. But Jeffrey wasn't done, kicking it over before leaving, slamming the door shut with a bang. Natalie looked down at the mess on the floor. It was just like her life and marriage. She'd always wanted to ask Jeffrey if he'd ever really loved her, but she was afraid that his answer would haunt her for the rest of her life. She still remembered that one moment, years ago, when he had said to her so earnestly, "You'll always have me." Those words became her guiding belief. At ten years old, Natalie lost both of her parents. They had died in a car accident while traveling for work. Natalie's second uncle, Tyler Bennett, offered to help look after the family business on Natalie's behalf, but it was less of that and more of a clear takeover. At the funeral, Natalie was dressed in black as she stared at the photographs of her parents in the hall. She had cried so much that she was already numb to it all. Her older brother, Stephen Bennett, stood beside her. He was only a few years older than her. That was when Jeffrey showed up. He was the same age as Stephen and in the same class. Jeffrey was tall, slim, and had a quiet presence. He had followed his family to attend the funeral. Caroline had comforted Beverly Crimson, Natalie's grandmother. The two had been close friends for years, sharing a deep bond that they had formed in their youth. Beverly had just lost her son and daughter-in-law. She was so devastated that she had aged ten years in an instant. "They're gone, leaving two children behind. Nat is only ten." Beverly sighed. "What's going to happen to the children?" Caroline's gaze landed on Natalie, sizing her up. "Maybe we could have Jeffrey marry Natalie. They're childhood friends, and we know each other well. It would be a good match." That was how the marriage was arranged, and at that time, Jeffrey didn't object to it, either. Before leaving, he handed Natalie a mango-flavored gummy. "You lost your parents, but you'll always have me." He was slim, with bright eyes and a hint of youthful charm that had effortlessly captured her heart. She had truly believed him, but that was before Abigail appeared. At first, Abigail was nothing special. She was quiet, wore thick glasses, and was clearly a bookworm. She was so low-key that Natalie hadn't even paid any attention to her. But a fire changed everything. The sports equipment room caught fire for some unknown reason. Jeffrey, who was inside the room at the time, was trapped. It was Abigail who rushed in without any hesitation to save him. She saved his life, but in the process, she inhaled smoke and damaged her lungs. Often, she would cough, and her once clear voice became hoarse. After that, Jeffrey and Abigail grew close. Soon, they graduated from college, and both families began planning for the arranged marriage. Jeffrey came to Natalie, wanting to break off their engagement and marry Abigail. However, Natalie couldn't accept it. She hadn't been at school when the fire happened, but if she had, she would've rushed in to save him, too. In the end, Jeffrey reluctantly married her and sent Abigail abroad. Now, five years later, Natalie hadn't won his heart at all. Instead, all she had earned was his hatred. She crouched down, grabbed the cake with her hands, and shoved bite after bite into her mouth. The cake's sweetness contrasted with her tears' saltiness. That night, Jeffrey didn't come home. Natalie sat at the table, trying to draft the divorce agreement, but the words wouldn't come. She stayed there all night, but not a single word was written. What she wanted wasn't money. But the one thing she truly wanted, she might never get. … Natalie was woken by the sound of her phone ringing. She realized she had fallen asleep at the table, and the sun had already risen. "Hello?" "Meet me at the courthouse in half an hour," Jeffrey said. "Bring the divorce papers." Natalie blinked, staring at the blank piece of paper, then softly replied, "Okay." Jeffrey's voice came again. "Don't tell anyone." He was worried Natalie might go to Caroline. If his grandmother got involved, there was no way the divorce would happen. "You don't have to worry. I will never bother you anymore," Natalie said. Jeffrey was silent for a few seconds. "Good." He couldn't relax until the divorce was official, fearing that Natalie might reconsider and mess up his plans. He had made Abigail wait for five years. He couldn't afford to make her wait any longer. Natalie downloaded a divorce agreement template from the internet, made a few small changes, printed it out, and signed her name. As she stood by the door, putting on her shoes, the butler asked, "Ma'am, where are you going so early?" Since marrying Jeffrey, Natalie had become a full-time housewife. She had given up her career and spent all her time revolving around Jeffrey. Her social life was simple. She was either at home, at Foster Group, or spending time with the Foster family's and the Bennett family's elders. Natalie had almost forgotten that she was once a top student at Andby University who had even given a speech at her graduation as the student representative. For the past five years, she had given up everything for Jeffrey, only to earn his disdain. Natalie smiled softly. "I'm going to say goodbye to the old me." She really didn't want to love Jeffrey anymore. It was time she lived for herself.