Chapter 3

I perused more of the young woman's updates but found them dull.

After cleaning myself up, I retired to bed, hoping to slumber.

However, Ryan Carter arrived just as I was about to fall asleep.

I detected his steps above and feigned slumber.

Soon after, I heard the rustle of him removing his clothes.

Moments later, the mattress sank as he seated himself and drew me close.

His form carried the aroma of the fragrance I'd gifted him, mixed with a subtle scent of gardenias.

It wasn't my perfume.

I couldn't shake the thought: had she also been held like this? Was her scent lingering on him too?

The idea made me feel sick.

Silently, I shifted away from his hold, rejecting his closeness for the first time.

Previously, I would have cuddled up to him the instant he lay down. I would have nestled my face against him, eagerly breathing in his scent.

But now, I couldn't bear it.

He tensed behind me, apparently puzzled, and attempted to pull me back.

"Don't embrace me. It's not comfortable," I muttered, eyes still shut.

He sat upright, suddenly annoyed. "What's the matter with you? Have you heard something? Or have I done something to upset you?"

I couldn't bring myself to speak. What could I inquire about? Who was that woman? Did he care for me?

At this point, those queries seemed irrelevant.

"I've been working all day and stayed up late revising the proposal. I'm exhausted," I replied, my tone flat. "Please, don't make this into an issue. I just need to rest."

He lost his temper. "You're crazy! I simply wanted to hug you, and now I'm in the wrong?"

With that, he slammed the door and left, presenting me with his cold shoulder.

In the past, I would have pursued him, grasping his hand, pleading with him not to be cross.

But now, I just quietly pulled the covers back over myself and tried to sleep.

My rest mattered more than anything else.

The divide between us seemed wider now, and neither of us attempted to bridge it.

We remained in this strange silence.

For the following week, Ryan Carter didn't return for dinner or send any messages. When he saw me at work, he only gave me a brief, disinterested look.

Coworkers murmured about whether we had quarreled, or if it was due to the recent events.

But the young woman continued to post frequently on her social media.

I thought the silent treatment would persist indefinitely, until one evening, I received a message from my family about a dinner gathering.

I realized I needed to contact Ryan Carter, but my message was met with total silence.

Reluctantly, I went to the house he had occupied before our marriage.

It was where he always retreated after our disagreements, and this instance was no exception.