Chapter 1

On my birthday, I waited from two in the afternoon until two in the morning. Neither my husband nor my parents ever showed up.

It wasn't until 2:30 AM that our SnapChat group finally lit up with notifications.

First came my husband, Julian:

[I was out with Chloe all day. We’ll just move your birthday to today and celebrate it together with hers.]

Then came Mom and Dad, complaining right below his text:

[You two always celebrate your birthdays together anyway. Why did you insist on having your own this year? What's the point of causing all this drama?]

Finally, Chloe, the adoptive daughter who took my place, posted a photo to wrap it up.

Julian had his arm wrapped around her waist, and my parents stood right behind them. The four of them beamed at the camera like a perfect family.

A group chat of five, but a family portrait of four.

I smiled bitterly. I wasn’t even disappointed anymore. It had taken me eight years to realize one simple truth:

In this family, the one who wasn't loved was the real outsider.

I placed the signed divorce papers on the coffee table.

After one last look at this cold, lifeless mansion, I grabbed my suitcase and walked out the front door.

Love, family, biological ties.

I didn't want any of it anymore.

By the time I reached the airport, it was already four in the morning.

Unfortunately, luck wasn't on my side. A sudden thunderstorm delayed all flights until that evening.

I sighed softly, pulling out my phone to book a nearby hotel so I could get some rest.

Then my phone rang.

It was Julian.

"Where the hell are you? It's early in the morning and you're not home. Get back here right now!"

"Today is Chloe's birthday. She said she's craving your slow-simmered herbal chicken soup."

I didn't answer his demand.

"I'm not coming back. Didn't you see the papers I left on the coffee table?"

Silence hung on the line for a few seconds before Julian spoke, his tone dripping with annoyance.

"Oh, that? I used it as a placemat for Chloe's takeout. It got grease all over it, so I threw it in the trash."

"Since you're out anyway, just print another copy and bring it back. Pick up some groceries too. Isn't today your make-up birthday? Cook a nice big meal so we can celebrate as a family."

Before I could even refuse, Chloe's sweet, delicate voice drifted through the receiver.

"Julian, it's my birthday today. Can you help me pick out which dress looks best?"

Click. He hung up.

The corners of my mouth twitched, but I couldn't bring myself to smile.

Remembering the unsigned divorce papers, I realized I couldn't keep running away. I needed clean closure.

Going back to settle things face-to-face with Julian and my parents wasn't a bad idea.

These past eight years could finally end with a clean slate.

The moment I stepped through the front door, I saw Mom ordering the maids to tear down yesterday's birthday decorations.

When she noticed me, her face instantly soured.

She turned around and began scolding me.

"Look at you, insisting on celebrating your birthday separately. What a waste of effort!"

"The entire courtyard is covered in your blue decorations. Don't you know Chloe absolutely hates blue? You made me wake up early just to watch the maids clean up your mess. Your birthdays are only one day apart—is it really that hard to share?"

Sitting on the couch with a newspaper, Dad glared at me, barely cutting Mom off from her endless nagging.

"Enough, Helen."

"Now that you're back, get your ass into the kitchen and start cooking. Because you weren't home last night, Chloe was so hungry she had to order cheap takeout."

I didn't say a word, and I certainly had no intention of acting like their unpaid maid anymore.

Holding the freshly printed divorce agreement, I headed straight upstairs to Julian's room.

As I passed Chloe's bedroom, I saw Julian, just as I expected.

He was leaning against her vanity, gazing adoringly at the girl trying on dress after dress in her walk-in closet.

He even offered attentive advice.

"This one suits you much better than the last, but your neckline looks a bit bare."

"Let me think... wear that diamond necklace I bought you last time."

I stood there, watching them.

I felt like a rat hiding in the sewer, peeking into someone else’s happiness.

Julian had never treated me with that kind of devotion.

Even when I eagerly asked for his opinion, he would only give me a dismissive glance.

"I'm a guy, Nora. I don't care about that stuff. Just wear whatever you think looks fine."

It had been like that when we were dating, when we were engaged, and even more so after we got married.

Maybe I had been standing by the door for too long.

Chloe, who had been chatting happily, caught sight of me and waved with a bright smile.

"Nora! You're back!"