Chapter 3

Shannon woke up early the next morning. She and Thomas had always slept in separate rooms. It was partly because he had never truly accepted her, and partly because of his germaphobia. He couldn't stand anyone else entering his room. After washing up, Shannon headed over to the law firm her friend, Maya Hughes, worked at. After talking to her, Maya finally understood the entire story. "So, the reason you've been treating Thomas so well is because of the agreement?" Shannon nodded. Maya sighed in relief. "I've been seeing all the news lately, and I felt sorry for you. Now that I know it was all just an agreement, I feel a lot better." She then asked, "So what brings you here today? Do you want me to draft a divorce agreement for you?" Shannon chuckled scornfully before replying, "We never even registered our marriage. I'm here to draft a custody waiver agreement." Maya let out a surprised gasp. "Everyone knows how much you love your son, yet you're giving up custody for Chris now?" Sadness flickered in Shannon's eyes. She looked up and said, "Just draft it for me." Maya stopped prodding after that. She quickly drafted the agreement and handed it to Shannon. Shannon gripped the agreement tightly before leaving. As Maya watched her walk away, a quiet sadness settled in. Maya then yelled loudly, "Shannon, you spent five years trying to warm the heart of someone who never cared. From now on, save that love for yourself!" Shannon halted her steps, turned around, and smiled. "Alright, I will." … It was already 10:00 am by the time Shannon returned home, yet the living room remained empty. The breakfast she had made before leaving remained on the table, cold and untouched. She reheated the breakfast and headed upstairs to wake Christopher and Thomas up as usual. Thomas disliked people entering his room without permission, and he had made the rule of knocking first before entering very clear. The door opened as soon as Shannon knocked. Laura stretched lazily. Her expression remained composed after seeing Shannon. "I just came to borrow Thomas' bathroom. Oddly enough, my back is feeling rather sore early this morning." Shannon's face paled. Just as Laura was about to continue provoking her, Thomas stepped out in his sleepwear. "Who's at the door, Laura? Is it Chris?" Shannon gazed over and saw the red marks scattered across his neck. She let out a bitter laugh. They'd hardly had any physical contact in the five years they were married. She used to think Thomas wasn't interested in that kind of intimacy—it turned out he just wasn't interested in her. Panic flashed across his gaze when he saw Shannon. He quickly pulled his shirt up to cover himself and explained to her, "Don't get the wrong idea—Laura just came in to borrow a power bank." Shannon couldn't help but scoff upon hearing his excuse. They couldn't even get their stories straight before lying. However, she didn't call them out. Instead, she simply informed them that breakfast was ready before heading downstairs. This marriage had always been an agreement—who Thomas got intimate with was none of Shannon's business. What she had to do now was wait. There were seven days left, and she would be free to leave for good. The three of them leisurely came down only five minutes later. Christopher looked at the toasts and frowned. "The toasts have been reheated—they're no longer fresh! I want the fresh churros you make, Mommy!" Thomas patiently coaxed, "Mommy has already made us breakfast, Chris. We shouldn't waste it. You can have her churros tomorrow instead, okay?" "No! I want it now!" Christopher yelled. Thomas had never been one to indulge children. Just as he was about to respond sternly, Laura quickly cut in from the side, "I've heard that your churros are amazing, Ms. Linsel. I'd like to try it too." His attitude shifted immediately as soon as he heard that she wanted to try it. He then instructed Shannon, "Since everyone wants some, go ahead and make some." "I'm not making it." Shannon didn't bother looking up as she continued eating her toast. "If you want some, you can make them yourselves. I got up early to toast them myself. Feel free to throw them out if you don't want them."