Chapter 4

I went home to pack my things.

There wasn't much; I'm quite a minimalist.

But I had bought her many gifts.

I discarded the shared memories along with them.

Just as I was about to lie down and sleep, she returned.

She approached me, bent down, and tried to hug me.

The scent of another man's cologne wafted over, and I pushed her away.

Her eyes flickered with a moment of panic.

"Declan, what's wrong? You've seemed distant these past couple of days."

She feigned calmness and looked around.

"Why is there so much less stuff in the house?"

I hadn't decided how to respond when her phone rang.

She took her phone and walked to the balcony.

"When I'm home, don't call me. I don't want our relationship to affect my relationship with Declan."

...

"If you dare tell him, you'll regret it."

...

"Okay, after our third wedding anniversary, I'll take you out."

Her deliberately hushed voice was harsh to my ears.

To me, the feelings she cherished seemed so worthless.

The third anniversary was to be celebrated on a cruise.

I thought about finding an opportunity to tell her I was leaving.

Ending things properly is my principle.

Nora seemed oblivious to my impending departure.

She reminisced about how we met and grew to know each other.

All our sweet moments.

When emotions ran deep, she nestled against me as if our marriage could last forever.

But my response was no longer as enthusiastic as before.

Just indifferent.

Her dual behavior in public and private felt ironic to me.

Her betrayal caused me deep pain.

During the toast, Jasper stayed by her side.

Thinking I didn't know him, she introduced us: "Declan, this is my assistant, Jasper."

Jasper wore the suit I had tailored, and it fit him perfectly.

I said calmly, "I've met him. Delivered medicine once."

"This suit suits him well."

She was momentarily stunned, then seemed to understand instantly: "Oh, he's my best friend's boyfriend."

"This suit is for him first. I'll get another one made for you later."

From the reflection on the door's glass, I saw Jasper secretly pinch her waist.

Halfway through, Nora went to the restroom, and Jasper pulled me aside.

"Declan, I heard your... abilities aren't great, right?"

He looked at me provocatively.

"I can fully satisfy Nora, can you? You should leave, don't cling to her like an octopus."

He pulled out his phone, showing me their intimate video.

These, I had already seen.

I turned to leave but noticed a pillar about to fall.

I quickly dodged and pushed Jasper out of the way.

A scout's reflexes to danger are always faster.

Jasper's leg got hit by the falling pillar.

"Declan, you damn bastard, you did this on purpose."

Jasper cursed loudly.

Nora came out just in time to see everything.

She walked towards me coldly and slapped me.

"Declan, just because you don't like Jasper doesn't mean you should hurt him."

I was furious, raised my arm, but ultimately lowered it.

I don't hit women.

"Why wouldn't I like Jasper? You just introduced him to me today. Do you two have some kind of relationship?"

I glared at Nora with bloodshot eyes, my voice icy.

Concern clouded her judgment.

She thought I didn't know about their relationship, but her words seemed to give it away.

She quickly covered up: "My best friend entrusted him to me, now his leg is injured, how do I explain to her?"

"Get him to the hospital now."

The injury wasn't severe, but he was hospitalized.

Nora was running around, busy.

A doctor from the hematology department saw her and came over: "You asked the director for the donor's number, he gave it to me. Here it is."

He handed her a piece of paper with a string of numbers—my number.

I wondered if Nora would regret slapping me if she knew I had been the one donating blood to her all these years.

Would she regret her affair?

I was curious about her reaction.

I stared at her, and at the paper.

Nora took the number, about to look when Jasper groaned, and she quickly placed the paper on the bedside.

Jasper stretched his leg, and the paper fell to the floor.

People passing by stepped on it, leaving it covered in footprints.

Later, the cleaning staff came in and thought it was trash, so they cleaned it up.

I didn't linger, went straight home.

The parting words I prepared were no longer needed.

I left the divorce papers and the USB with their video on the living room table.

I threw the keys in the door.

I took one last look at the home I'd lived in for seven years and slammed the door shut.

Dragging my suitcase, I headed to the airport.

Just as I entered the departure lounge, Nora called.

I didn't want to answer, but accidentally hit the accept button. Nora's voice came through, choking with tears: "Declan, was it really you donating blood for me all these years?"