Chapter 4

To enhance my culinary skills, I enrolled in numerous cooking classes. However, I still couldn't elicit a single word of satisfaction from Melody's lips.

It seems she's not picky about the food itself, but rather about the person who prepares it.

Of course, how could she have an eating disorder?

Everything she's done has been to pave the way for Donavan.

The harsh white light from my phone screen illuminated my face.

Donavan had sent me a voice message.

"Melody, are you sure it's okay not to go back and eat the meal Ethan prepared? I'm feeling much better now. Why don't you go back and keep him company? Don't let him get the wrong idea."

Then came Melody's voice: "As for the meals he cooked before, I've been feeding them to the dogs. I still prefer your cooking the most."

So all the dishes I had poured my heart and soul into ended up in a dog's stomach.

After I finished listening to the recording, Donavan quickly recalled the message.

He then sent a phony follow-up: "I'm sorry, Ethan. I sent that message by mistake. Don't take Melody's words to heart; she was just saying those things to comfort me."

I liked his boastful social media post, then promptly blocked him.

I reached out to my lawyer friend, asking him to help me draft divorce papers.He remained silent for a long time, then asked, "Have you thought it through? I don't want you to have a change of heart later and regret it."

I was well aware of the many irrational things I had done for Melody in the past.

Like giving up a promising career to become a house husband for her. Many friends said Melody wasn't worth such a sacrifice, warning that I'd regret it sooner or later.

Back then, I firmly believed that with enough time, I could win Melody over.

The mess I'm in now mocks that delusion.

I smiled and said, "I won't regret it this time."

Melody didn't come home that night.

When she returned, I noticed she was wearing different clothes than the day before.

I glanced at her but said nothing.

She walked up to me and asked awkwardly, "Why didn't you ask what time I'd be back last night?"

I was taken aback for a moment.

Before, if she wasn't home by eleven at night, I'd always call to ask when she'd return.

But each time, she'd either hang up on me or brush me off impatiently.

I looked at her in surprise, "I thought you didn't like me keeping tabs on you. Besides, I knew you were at Donavan's place. You two are so close, I figured you'd be fine."

"When you're with him, I don't worry at all."Her face contorted for a moment.

Then she took out a box from her bag and handed it to me.

"I picked this out especially for you. Consider it an apology gift for not being able to accompany you to visit your parents' graves yesterday. Please don't be angry."

This was the first time Melody had ever softened towards me.

I accepted the box under her watchful gaze.

Inside was a watch.

In Donavan's social media post last night, he was wearing the same model.

If I remember correctly, this watch I'm holding is just a freebie.

But I still put the watch away.

I composed my expression and said, "How could I be angry? Yesterday was indeed my fault. A life is always more important than visiting graves."

Melody nodded with satisfaction.

She made me a promise.

"The day after tomorrow is our wedding anniversary. I'll make sure to clear my schedule and spend quality time with you. I guarantee no one will interrupt us."

I've lost count of how many times Melody has made these empty promises to me.

But oddly enough, I used to fall for it every time.

I would eagerly anticipate the day, only to be notified at the last minute that plans were cancelled.

This time, will it be the same as before?