Chapter 6

He seemed not to have heard clearly, repeating, "What did you say?"

Only then did I realize that we weren't even considered a married couple, so how could we talk about divorce?

With a self-mocking smile, I looked into his bewildered eyes and spoke slowly, enunciating each word.

"I said, let's break up."

Just uttering these few words had already drained all my strength. Swallowing the bitterness in my throat, I struggled to continue, "Don't you want to be with Aria? I'll step aside for you two."

Closing my eyes, memories flashed before me like a slideshow.

His thoughtfulness on that snowy day, standing by the streetlight with a baked potato hidden against his chest just to keep it warm for me.

His fierce protectiveness when he heard a client had bullied me, bringing his buddies to back me up and boldly offering to support me.

His seriousness in immediately taking on the responsibilities of a father when he learned I was pregnant.