Chapter 2

Samuel flinched at Gavin's roar and instinctively leaned closer to me. "Clara, maybe I should go. Your husband doesn't look too stable. He's not the violent type, is he?" Gavin's face turned even darker as he watched me try to calm Samuel down. His expression was as dark as a brewing storm. The sight almost thrilled me. If he couldn't handle this much pain, how would he survive what came next? I ignored his glare, picked up my bag, and stood. "Since you don't welcome Samuel, there's no point in my staying either. You guys can keep playing your little boys' game. We girls will excuse ourselves." The private room door closed behind me, sealing off the sounds of Gavin's furious shouting and the crash of shattering glass. The reaper hovering nearby stared at me in awe, giving me a thumbs-up. "What a performance! Your heartbreak score just jumped to 25." Of course it was. Gavin had gone half-mad with guilt after I died in my last life. Without that lingering attachment, none of this would have worked. Later, I escorted Samuel to the hotel where he was staying. As he was checking in, I said quietly, "Thank you for today. You came back from overseas the moment I called and helped me put on that whole act." Samuel accepted the room card and smiled lazily. "You're still being polite with me? I just didn't expect the fearless Clara I grew up with would ever need someone to back her up." A faint bitterness curled at the corner of my lips. "Neither did I." In my past life, it was as if I'd been controlled. Just because Gavin didn't like it, I cut off all contact with every man I knew, including Samuel, the guy next door I'd grown up with. He used to come home, excited to see me, only for me to turn him down every time, simply because Gavin frowned. Once, twice... Until all he said to me was, "Alright, then. Take care of yourself." And I'd actually thought that was what love demanded—a wife's necessary sacrifice. Looking back, it was laughable. I'd built walls for Gavin, and he tore them down for another woman. Vanessa, his so-called best friend, trampled my boundaries again and again while he turned a blind eye. Samuel's smile faded, his expression turning serious. "Clara, if you're that unhappy, just divorce him. There's no need to punish yourself by staying with someone like that. He's not worth it." I looked out at the city lights through the window and said softly, "I will." But not yet. The Lord of Souls had given me only 49 days. I had to use Gavin first to collect enough heartbreak points and secure my place among the living. When I got home after midnight, the air was heavy with smoke. From the dark came Gavin's voice. It was low, hoarse, and dripping with sarcasm. "You're finally back? I thought maybe you and your little friend had a lot to catch up on tonight." I switched on the light and sat beside him, my tone gentle. "Are you still mad?" I hurt him just enough, then sweetened it with a gentle gesture. That mix of pain and tenderness was the essence of heartbreak. He pulled away from my hand. "Clara, you embarrassed me in front of everyone today, bringing that guy and acting all cozy. And now you think a simple 'are you still mad' fix it? What do you take me for?" I sighed, sounding weary. "You were the one who disrespected Samuel first. He rarely comes home, and he came all this way just to celebrate your birthday. You really—" "Samuel, Samuel! It's always Samuel!" Gavin exploded like a lit fuse. "You defended him the entire night! You let him measure your body, walked out on me at my own birthday, and you call that nothing?" As I watched him teeter on the edge of losing control, I threw his favorite line back at him. "Don't be so sensitive. Samuel's a fashion designer. I only asked him to make me a gown. "That comment earlier was just to lighten the mood. If anything were going on between us, it would've happened years ago. Why would I have married you?" I reached for his arm. "Enough. Let's not talk about him anymore. It's your birthday—don't ruin it over something so silly." Then, I took out a velvet gift box I'd prepared and handed it to him. "Look. I picked this out for you myself." Gavin's expression softened slightly, his suspicion giving way to curiosity. His gaze lingered on the box for a few seconds before he finally reached for it. The moment he opened it and saw what was inside, his face twisted with fury. "Clara," he growled through clenched teeth, "do you take me for a fool?"