Chapter 9

"I really need you..." Herbert said. I could see the regret in his eyes, but I shook my head. "Herbert, what you're missing isn't a wife. You need a full-time secretary who won't question your ambiguous relationships, and a housekeeper who silently cooks and serves you without complaint. What you needed has never been me." I pried his hands off, tossed the bouquet of roses into a nearby trash can, and felt an overwhelming sense of relief. Herbert's voice was hoarse. "No, Stella! That's not true!" He began pouring his heart out. He explained how, at first, he just felt pity for Vivian, thinking it wasn't an easy situation for a lone woman. But later, he found her to be more lively and interesting compared to my reserved and quiet nature. So, he sought excitement in this so-called "friendship." But the moment he realized she had deceived him, the two of them ended up in an ugly argument. He finally saw that the purest, most genuine love he once had was already gone. His eyes gre