Chapter 4

Keith stayed silent on the phone. Then, Daisy's voice cut in. "Keith, the little cake on my head is crooked." Keith tried to cover it up as he replied, "Ann, I'm in a meeting now." Then, he hung up in a hurry. When I called back, he had turned off his phone. At the same time, the private investigator sent me the videos from the hotel. He said, "Everything's ready. At the start of next month, things will be exactly as you want them." Thinking back on Keith and Daisy's conversation, I no longer hesitated. I followed through with my plan. Until today, I had wondered if Keith was just under too much pressure. Or if Daisy, being so young, had been seduced by him. I had wanted to handle it quietly and understand what had really happened. But with what happened earlier, I realized they didn't deserve my understanding. I began the divorce process and sold all my shares at a low price. Keith and Daisy continued with their little act without any restraint. In the meantime, I set up a new business and brought our partners over to my side. Keith bought Daisy a pink, princess-themed villa. He even moved her parents in, and the whole family seemed happy together. I bought myself a new apartment and started moving my belongings. Later, Keith booked the most luxurious hotel in the city and organized a birthday party for Daisy. He returned home just as I was moving the last box of my things. Seeing the empty living room and the pink fragments in the trash, he fumbled with the pink bouquet in his hand. "Ann, are you shifting things around?" I thought he had finally come to his senses. But in the very next moment, he arranged the bouquet neatly in a vase. "I just bought some pink things for the house. Was it really necessary to tear everything apart and redecorate? How troublesome is that?" His tone carried a hint of blame. I blinked and couldn't help but feel a pang of bitterness. I said, "I don't like pink." Keith froze, and a hint of guilt flashed in his eyes. "Throw it away if you don't like it. As long as you're happy," he said. "I have to go now. I'll spend time with you when I'm done." I didn't try to stop him or question him. I called his name, watching him as he walked away without looking back. Keith turned around, puzzled. When our eyes met, a flash of uneasiness flickered across his expression. He looked flustered. The next moment, I smiled softly and said, "It's nothing. You can go." All of you can leave. I didn't want Keith anymore, at 18 or 34 years old. Only then did Keith seem to calm down. He said, "Okay. I'll be back after I'm done." He had barely left when I took the last of my things and walked out. The house was then listed with an agent. I sent all of Keith's belongings to Daisy's new place, cash on delivery. … On Daisy's birthday, I looked around the venue, filled with pink balloons and an obscenely expensive cake. I remembered our small, simple wedding with only two tables of guests. Keith had promised that once we were rich, he would throw me a proper celebration. But once he became wealthy, the first thing he did was fall out of love with me. I picked up the microphone and spoke to the control room. "You may begin." The lights went out, leaving the venue in complete darkness. The space erupted in murmurs, and some complained, "Why is the power out? "It's such a huge hotel, and they can't even afford electricity?" Daisy looked upset, and Keith quickly comforted her. "It's fine. I'll go check what's going on," he said. Suddenly, the screen lit up. There were videos of Keith and Daisy's roleplays. One showed uncensored footage of Keith on all fours, begging, played out before everyone. Daisy's face went pale in an instant. Her parents left the venue immediately out of embarrassment. Only Keith instinctively glanced around. I stepped onto the stage, microphone in hand, and faced them. "My darling husband, do both of you like my birthday present for Daisy?"