Chapter 3

My buddies looked at each other, stunned. "Wait, is there some kind of misunderstanding, Ethan?"

"Yeah, man. You don't want to jump to conclusions."

"What misunderstanding? I'm not going to lie to myself," I said coldly. "Don't worry. As soon as I get back, I'm getting a divorce."

My voice was firm.

There was no hesitation.

Seeing my resolve, they didn't push further.

As we drank and chatted, they noticed my new phone.

"Damn, Ethan! You finally threw away that piece-of-trash phone of yours!"

A few rounds of drinks later, they raised their glasses. "Ethan, if that really was her in the video, we're behind you one hundred percent. Divorce her."

"Exactly, man."

"She's not your sister-in-law anymore," I said, raising my glass and draining it in one gulp.

The burning alcohol rushed down my throat.

Before long, a wave of nausea hit me.

I leaned over the table and threw up.

It felt like I was purging all the wasted years of love I had thrown away on Chloe.

Once it was out, I felt incredibly light.

My friends patted my back, telling me to take it easy.

After the dinner, I headed back to our apartment.

The front door was wide open.

The lights inside were blazing.

Chloe was sitting on the couch, arms crossed, her face flushed with rage. The moment she saw me walk in, she hurled the TV remote at the floor.

With a loud crash, the remote shattered into pieces.

"Great! You went out drinking! Look at you, so capable now! Is this the 'busy work' that kept you from coming home to open the door for me?" she shrieked.

I looked at her coldly, steadying myself.

She had zero self-control. She drank and went out whenever she wanted.

Yet, she was incredibly strict with me. I wasn't allowed to drink, smoke, or even hang out with my friends.

My entire life had to revolve around her schedule.

And my money, of course, was hers.

"I didn't just drink," I said, pulling out my new tri-fold phone. "I also bought this expensive phone, and a brand-new outfit and shoes."

Chloe's expression changed instantly. "You spent that much money on yourself? Did you even think about me? I don't even have the newest iPhone 16 Pro Max yet!"

"No wonder you haven't transferred your paycheck to my account this month. You're secretly living the high life!"

She grew angrier by the second, on the verge of an explosion.

"So what? Is it a crime to spend my own hard-earned money?" I shot back.

We stared each other down.

This time, I didn't back down an inch.

Sensing my stubbornness, her tone suddenly softened. "Ethan, look, there's no need to get drunk and act out over Owen. He was just my first love. What happened this time was just a one-night thing."

"You're the only one in my heart. I'll let you keep the phone and clothes as my apology, but you can't do this again. You have to transfer your paycheck to me next month, okay? You have to take care of my future."

She spoke as if I was the one who had made a mistake, and she was graciously forgiving me.