Chapter 1

The flight was delayed, and it was late by the time I finally returned to the States from my training abroad. I tried calling my husband to pick me up, but all my attempts went unanswered. Frustrated, I ended up taking a cab. On the way, I stumbled across a Facebook post from one of his so-called "close friends."

The photo showed my husband, Ignacio, kneeling and holding her foot. She was wearing a loose, sheer blouse, her bare shoulder exposed, with a conspicuous love bite on her neck. The caption said, "Only a true friend is always there for you."

I commented, "If you like him so much, why not keep him close?"

Moments after posting the comment, Ignacio called me, furious.

"Elina, have you lost your mind? Delete that comment right now! Rhea Scott is just a single woman, and your nonsense will make everyone misunderstand."

"You know she sprained her ankle! I was just helping her out. We've been friends forever. Or did your time abroad warp your mind?"

I couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity. Who was really warped here? The picture was a blatant giveaway, and the notion of their innocence was ridiculous.

I had called him numerous times, only to be ignored, yet my single comment triggered an immediate call of reproach.

"I returned to the country today," I said coolly.

His voice grew anxious, "You're back already? You landed?"

I had already told him when I’d be back, and though the flight was delayed, it was still the same day. Clearly, his mind was consumed by thoughts of Rhea Scott, so I ended the call without responding.

When I arrived home, Ignacio showed up shortly after, sounding reproachful. "Why didn’t you remind me earlier?"

After a long day of flying and the cab ride, I was feeling nauseous and exhausted. I shot him a cold look. "If it mattered to you, you'd remember. I shouldn't have to remind you."

He stood there stunned, his words trailing off, then shuffled off to the kitchen. I entered the bedroom to change, only to find a pair of black stockings lying openly on the bed. No guessing needed; Ignacio certainly didn’t have a secret love of Victorian cosplay.

Oblivious to my growing anger, Ignacio returned and started talking. "Rhea hurt her leg. I was going to make her some pulled pork. You're a doctor, right? What herbs should I use?"

My temper flared. "Why don't you add the black stockings from the bed? They’d make quite a tonic! Besides, my expertise is in gynecology!"

Finally noticing the stockings, Ignacio hastily gathered them up, tripping over explanations, "She had a fight with her mom, then got into a car accident and hurt her leg. That's why I let her stay for a few days. Nothing happened; we just shared a bed."

"Don’t be upset. Come help me with the herbs," he persisted.

I replied icily, "How about adding some saffron? You say you’re like siblings; let's hope there's no need to wonder who the father is."

"Elina, stop being unreasonable! Rhea and I grew up together, like siblings sharing clothes. We've never seen each other as anything else. Can’t we, as good friends, take care of her?"

I stood firm, unmoved. I didn’t buy the idea of platonic friendships with someone like Rhea. To me, she was a classic opportunist.

Ignacio huffed, "Fine, I'll do it myself then!" before stomping into the kitchen and starting to follow a cooking video.

When I finished my shower, he was still there, doggedly attending to the pot. Soon, he filled a container with soup and headed to the door, glancing at me, "I won't hold tonight's antics against you. I left you some soup in the kitchen. Drink it while it's hot."

I walked into the kitchen to find a bowl of soup waiting for me, the surface swimming with grease, and the chicken reduced to just a neck.

I couldn’t help but chuckle bitterly at my predicament. Years of effort and this was what I got in return.

Chapter 2

I remember when Ignacio broke his leg after falling off the scooter. For over three months, I was there, comforting him and making sure he never felt alone. I made chicken noodle soup, beef stew, clam chowder... constantly switching it up to keep things interesting. During that entire period, Rhea never visited him, not even once.

Later, to make it easier for me to drive him to and from work, my parents bought me a car. Once he recovered, the car became his to drive, and that's when Rhea made her reappearance. He started cropping up in Rhea’s Instagram stories more frequently, always ready to jump at her call.

The day I got the overseas training assignment, my supervisor kindly gave me the day off to spend time with my family. I told Ignacio in advance, thinking he might miss me while I was away for so long. But that night, he came home late and had the nerve to call me dramatic, saying it wasn't like we wouldn’t see each other ever again. I thought he was just in a bad mood from working overtime.

Later, through a mutual friend's Instagram story, I discovered that day was Rhea's birthday and Ignacio had been out partying with a bunch of his friends. At that moment, I didn't confront him—because I loved him and believed nothing would happen between them.

When I first went abroad, we kept in touch frequently. But over time, it dwindled to routine updates, and eventually, I was the only one trying to keep the connection alive. This time, when I checked Rhea’s Instagram, I found numerous posts featuring Ignacio. I realized she had been blocking me from these updates all along, only letting me see them once I returned. It finally hit me how wrong I had been.

I've made up my mind—I’m going to divorce Ignacio.

Chapter 3

The next day, I contacted the lawyer to draft a divorce agreement. As soon as Ignacio received it, he called repeatedly. I ignored his calls, intending to return one after finishing my morning shifts at the clinic.

Unexpectedly, his impatience got the better of him. Just as the nurse announced the next patient, Ignacio burst in, pushing Rhea in a wheelchair. The staff exchanged confused looks since they knew Ignacio as my husband, and now he was here with another woman in a gynecology clinic.

As soon as he entered, Ignacio declared, “We’re not here for a medical consultation.” That seemed to put everyone at ease a bit.

“I just wanted to show you that we’re like family, nothing more,” he insisted, with Rhea nodding beside him, her lips forming an exaggeratedly innocent pout.

I felt my irritation spike and retorted, “You two need a therapist, not my time.”

Rhea's eyes filled with tears, but thankfully, Randy, the security guard, arrived just in time to escort them out.

Their visit left me in a foul mood. I pushed through the day and returned home, only to find them both there waiting for me.

“Don’t you think you've made enough of a spectacle?” I asked, exasperated.

Rhea wheeled closer, her voice soft, “Elina, Ignacio and I are like siblings, nothing more. It’s not what you think, so there’s no reason for you to get a divorce because of me. It hurts me to see you upset.”

Despite her humble tone, her lips curled into a slight smug and challenging smile.

I swallowed my anger and replied calmly, “If you care for him that much, go ahead. Spare me the theatrics; I'm tired of it.”

Rhea began to sob, “I had no idea you saw me this way. I honestly don’t want to ruin your relationship. I didn’t realize my presence upset you so much. Don’t worry, I won’t reach out to Ignacio again.”

Seeing Rhea cry, Ignacio's temper flared. He pointed at me, shouting, “Elina, what’s wrong with you? I thought you saw Rhea as family, just as I do! Is it so unbearable for you to know there’s another woman in my life? Should I cut off my own mother too?”

I gazed at him coldly. How could he say such things when he’s supposed to be my husband? Does family mean only Rhea and his mother to him? Does he not consider his wife part of his family?

I let out a bitter laugh, which only fueled Ignacio’s anger. He wheeled Rhea out, stating coldly, “You should stay home and reflect. We won’t be back tonight.”

With that, he left without a backward glance. I suddenly felt dizzy and wanted to call after him, but it was too late.