Chapter 3

Even by the second morning, I was still in a daze.

Samuel got up at this time. He put on the clothes I had ironed for him and glanced at me setting breakfast on the table.

"You're not going to the dance troupe?

"You're just going to stay at home all the time? There's not much for you to do here anyway..."

His voice trailed off at the end, tinged with confusion.

I paused while wiping the table and looked up at him. But I only saw him quickly averting his gaze.

"Have breakfast at home. I'm not eating. Don't see me off, and don't come pick me up tonight either.

"I'm going to see Dr. Chloe."

He rubbed his brow, his tone flat.

In the past, I definitely would have worried about his condition. But now, I only felt a chill in my heart.

He was about to turn 28, and we were about to get our marriage license.

In previous lives at this time, I had completely lost interest in work, spending my days anxious and afraid.

So I simply quit my job at the dance troupe and truly became a full-time housewife.

Back then, he thought I was working too hard and said with a smile:

"Then don't go anymore. From now on, just dance for me alone. With me here, what do you have to worry about?"

I accompanied him to and from work. He proudly introduced me to his colleagues.

He raised his hand to show off our matching rings.

But now, he looked at me warily and coldly, telling me:

"Stop watching me all the time. Find something to do for yourself."

I caught my breath, followed by the loud slam of the front door. An eerie silence fell over the house.

I sat at the table, mechanically picking at the breakfast in front of me.

It was still warm, but tasted unusually cold in my mouth.

How did things end up like this?

Ever since Samuel started therapy, the distance between us seemed to gradually grow. He began to resent and reject my presence.

After spending three lifetimes with me, had he now found true love?

But saving Samuel was like a program hardwired into my very being.

Suddenly being told to give up felt like losing the center of my life.

I felt I should rush up and confront him, ask if all my efforts over the past few lives were just a joke to him. But then why did he keep playing along with me each time?

But I still acted as if nothing had happened.

I watched helplessly as Samuel grew more and more distant and cold towards me, as we spoke less and less.

I watched as Chloe and he grew closer, to the point where some nights he didn't even bother pretending anymore, openly calling Chloe from the balcony.

In the darkness, even through the glass, I could see the smile spreading across Samuel's face.

Then one evening, I stubbornly sat at the dining table like a bitter wife, waiting for him to come home.

It was almost 9 PM. After reheating the dishes countless times, Samuel finally returned.

Except Chloe came back with him.