Chapter 2

In all our years of marriage, this was the first time Serena had ever apologized to me.

In the past, a single tear from her would tear my heart in two. I would have moved heaven and earth to make her smile.

Now, I felt nothing. Not a single spark.

Serena reached out cautiously to take my arm. Seeing that I didn't pull away, a faint smile returned to her lips.

"Babe, let me explain. When I was a kid, my parents were always too busy to care for me. I spent half my childhood eating dinner at the Vance house. They treated me like family. Shouldn't I repay that kindness?"

Repay them? With my mother's life!

I sneered. "If they were so wonderful, why didn't you just marry him?"

To my surprise, she actually sighed. "You know how hectic a surgeon's schedule is. His mom didn't want a daughter-in-law who couldn't prioritize the household."

Hearing her casual complaint made my blood boil.

Because of her hectic job, my mother had packed up and moved in with us, cooking and cleaning without a single complaint.

Whenever I took freelance gigs at home, my mother—who didn't know how to drive—would take the subway and two connecting buses just to bring Serena a warm lunch.

If any chore wasn't done to Serena's liking, she would throw a tantrum.

And my mother would always soothe me: "Nathan, Serena has a stressful job. It's normal for her to be on edge. We need to be more understanding."

The memory brought bitter tears to my eyes.

Seeing me cry, Serena looked at me with self-satisfied tenderness.

"Babe, next month I’ll apply to transfer to an outpatient clinic. Less stress. Then we can have a baby."

I dropped the cigarette butt onto the floor and crushed it beneath my shoe.

"Since your schedule won't be so crazy anymore, I'm sure Chase's mom will gladly accept you. Go have his babies instead."

Serena looked hurt. "Nathan, how could you say that? I'm heartbroken over Mom too! Do you have to blame everything on me? If I really walk out that door, you won't be able to win me back!"

I had no intention of arguing. Dropping a cold "Remember to pay me back," I grabbed my coat and walked out into the night.

I met a few close friends at a bar and drank until the early hours. Serena kept calling, but I put my phone on silent.

"Damn, Nathan, it's been ages! We never thought you'd come out tonight!"

I downed my drink and offered a wry smile.

"I was foolish before. But I'm stepping back behind the lens. Hope you guys still have room for me in the industry."

"Are you kidding? You're a legend!"

"Yeah, I heard you even auctioned off your award-winning prints to pay for your mom's treatment. You used to treat those prints like gold. Even though she passed, she'd be so proud of your devotion."

Their words felt like acid poured over raw flesh. I poured myself another drink, then another.

Assuming I was just grieving, my buddies comforted me and kept the mood light with industry gossip.

A little later, my best friend Zack handed me his vibrating phone with a teasing grin.

"Bro, didn't you get permission from the wifey? She's blowing up my phone right now!"

The table erupted into laughter. Not wanting to put Zack on the spot, I took the call.

The moment Serena heard my slurred voice, disgust laced her tone. "Nathan, throw your tantrum, but know when to stop!”

“ You think getting wasted is going to piss me off? We have a rule: if you're not home by midnight, the door stays locked. I was actually going to make an exception for you tonight!"

My head was spinning, my stomach churning. "Serena, you flatter yourself. I only drank tonight because I finally picked up my camera again. I'm celebrating."

Then, in a daze, I added, "Lock the door. I wasn't planning on coming back anyway."

Serena shrieked into the receiver. "Nathan Miller! Don't push your luck! I swallowed my pride to invite you home! Does this marriage mean less to you than two hundred grand?"