Chapter 2

It was already late, but when I called my girlfriends to come out, they still happily agreed.

We were at a late-night food stand, drinking beer and munching on skewers. They complained that ever since I got married, I've been revolving around my husband and son all day, almost forgetting about them.

The alcohol numbed my brain, and the days of gossiping with my girlfriends in our college dorm felt like they were just yesterday.

Thinking about it now, I really have given up a lot for my husband and son. It's not worth it.

After saying goodbye to my girlfriends, I glanced at my phone. There were countless missed call notifications.

I was about to ignore them, but among the numerous messages from my husband, I saw one from Vivienne.

"I'm sorry, Rainey. Elio and I really don't have that kind of relationship. I was just upset yesterday and wanted Elio and Zain to keep me company. I forgot it was your birthday yesterday. I'm truly sorry!"

I was drunk, and I don't know if it was this message that made me sick, but I ran to the roadside and started vomiting violently.

After a while, I finally replied: "It's okay, I don't mind."

The other side showed "typing", but after waiting for a long time with no new message, I went home.

The floor was a mess, even worse than when I left.I sprawled on the couch, feeling drowsy. Suddenly, something jabbed my backside. It was my husband's phone, unlocked, displaying his chat history with Vivienne.

"Elio, you and Zain came to keep me company and made Rainey angry. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have been so selfish. Maybe we should see each other less from now on."

"Don't say that. She's just being petty and can't stand these things. Birthdays happen every year, can't we just make it up later? Who knew she'd get so worked up? She's really regressing with age."

"Elio, don't say that. Rainey has every right to be upset. Don't be too angry yourself, it's not good for your health."

"Hmm, thanks for your concern. If only Rainey were half as understanding as you."

My husband rushed over and snatched the phone back, yelling furiously, "Why do you always like to snoop into other people's privacy? I'm telling you, there's nothing going on between us!"

"Whatever. I'm going to bed."My eyes flew open and I glared coldly at my husband.

He stood there, obliviously explaining how to operate and use the robot, completely unaware of the anger in my eyes.

"Elio, did you forget that I helped develop this model of robot?"

My words stopped him dead in his tracks.

He glanced at the model number on the back of the robot, then gave me a sheepish smile.

"Oh, then I guess I don't need to explain. That's good."

My husband and I used to be researchers at the same tech company. But with no one to help care for our child, I quit my job to stay home and focus on being a wife and mother.

Now, looking back, I regret every single thing I gave up for the sake of our family.

We fell into an awkward silence, with only the mechanical whirring of the cleaning robot filling the room.

"You should go back to bed. I'll sleep on the couch."

With that, I closed my eyes.

"By the way, I have to work late tomorrow night, so I won't be coming home..."

"Got it," I snapped irritably.