Chapter 2
650 Words
"We've signed the divorce papers. In one month we'll go to the civil office to collect the official decree, and after that, we won't have any ties to each other anymore."
On the screen, the light in the young man's eyes brightened. The corners of his lips lifted, and his voice overflowed with unmasked delight.
"Really? Then, since you won't be married to him anymore, you can't do anything intimate with him during this time. I'll get jealous if he touches you."
Autumn's cheeks flushed pink, and a faint warmth spread through her.
"Don't be silly... you're being ridiculous..."
Simon's tone softened into a gentle plea. "Autumn..."
The sight reminded her of the big golden retriever she had kept as a child, who would droop his ears and look at her with begging eyes whenever he wanted something.
"All right, all right. I promise I won't. Now be good while you're abroad this month, okay?"
Autumn could never resist that look. She soothed him with all the soft words he wanted to hear before finally ending the call.
Once the line went dead, she dragged her cold, weary body into the bathroom.
She washed away the exhaustion on her face, stepped out, and found Cameron sitting on the living room sofa, watching her.
"You said you were just going to the restroom. Why did you leave without saying a word?"
Autumn turned her head away, making up an excuse. "You all seemed to be having such a good time, I didn't want to spoil the mood. And I was tired, so I went home first."
He didn't call her out on the flimsy lie. Instead, he stood, pulled her into his arms, and slipped his hands beneath her silk pajamas.
Autumn caught his wrists, stepped back subtly, and smoothed her clothes back into place without saying a word.
Cameron noticed her quiet resistance, but didn't push.
He simply held her hand and murmured softly, "I know you're upset today, baby. But I told you, this is all just an act. I'm not really leaving you. That girl means nothing to me, just a little distraction. And look... I never complained about that boy you're seeing on the side."
There it was again. He was "just playing," so if she was hurt, she was being unreasonable.
He was generous enough to overlook her own affair, so how dare she mind his?
In every version of this story, she was the one at fault, and he was always right.
But the papers were already signed. She didn't have the energy to argue anymore. Once the divorce was final, he could chase any number of other women, play any part he liked, it would have nothing to do with her.
She pulled her hand free and walked toward the bedroom, her voice flat and calm. "You're imagining things. I'm not upset. I'm just tired. I'm going to bed."
Cameron took it as a lingering sulk, and followed her inside.
"Don't be like that. I know I went too far this time. But hey, tomorrow's your birthday. You've always loved that beach house along the Mist Coast, haven't you? I booked it for tomorrow evening and invited all our friends. We can do whatever we want, just like in the old times."
Autumn froze for a moment.
It was a cruel coincidence, her birthday fell on the exact same day as his new girlfriend, Julianne Moore. Every year, Cameron would spend the entire day and night with her, and only remember Autumn once her birthday had already passed, offering half-hearted apologies and gifts.
After years of this, she had stopped looking forward to birthdays altogether.
She almost said no. But the Mist Coast property was nearly impossible to reserve, and she had always loved it. So she agreed.
After all, she would soon be free.
She might as well enjoy herself while she could.
- Writer
