Chapter 1

On my birthday, I waited from two in the afternoon until two in the morning.

My husband and my parents, who had promised to be there, never showed up.

It wasn't until two-thirty in the morning that the family SnapChat group finally buzzed.

First was a message from my husband, Ethan:

[I spent the day out with Lily. Let’s just move your birthday celebration to today and do it with her.]

Then my mom chimed in, complaining right below his message:

[Don't you always celebrate your birthdays together anyway? Why did you insist on having a separate one this year? Stop making a scene.]

Finally, Lily posted a group photo to seal the deal.

Ethan had his arm wrapped tightly around her waist, and my parents were standing right behind her. The four of them were beaming at the camera.

A group chat of five people, but a photo of only four.

I let out a bitter laugh. I wasn't even disappointed anymore. It had taken me eight years to realize one simple truth:

In this family, the one who isn't loved is the real outsider.

I placed the signed divorce papers on the kitchen island.

Taking one last look at this cold, lifeless mansion, I grabbed my suitcase and walked out the door.

I didn't want their love anymore. Not Ethan's, and not my parents'.

I was done.

By the time I reached the airport, it was already four in the morning.

Unfortunately, a sudden thunderstorm hit, delaying my flight until late evening.

I sighed and pulled out my phone to find a nearby hotel to rest.

Just then, my phone rang.

It was Ethan.

"Where the hell are you? You’re not home this early in the morning. Get back here right now!"

"Today is Lily’s birthday, and she said she wants to eat your homemade lasagna."

I ignored his demands.

"I'm not coming back, Ethan. Didn't you see the agreement I left on the table?"

Silence hung on the other end of the line for a few seconds. Then, Ethan’s irritated voice came through:

"Oh, that? I used those papers to catch the grease from our pizza box last night. They were covered in grease, so I threw them in the trash."

"Since you're already out, just print another copy and bring it back. Oh, and buy some groceries on your way. Aren't you supposed to celebrate your birthday today too? Make a nice dinner, and we can all have a good time."

Before I could say no, Lily’s sweet, whiny voice echoed in the background.

"Ethan, it’s my birthday! Can you come help me choose which dress to wear?"

The call disconnected just like that.

The corners of my mouth twitched, but I couldn't bring myself to smile.

Thinking about those unsigned divorce papers, I realized I didn't want to drag this out with Ethan anymore.

Going back to settle things face-to-face with Ethan and my parents was probably for the best.

After eight years, we owed each other nothing.

The moment I walked through the front door, I saw my mom instructing the maids to tear down my birthday decorations from yesterday.

When she noticed me, her face instantly soured.

She turned to complain:

"Look at you, insisting on having a separate birthday. What a waste of effort!"

"You decorated the entire yard in blue. Don’t you know Lily hates blue? I had to wake up early just to make sure the maids cleared it all out. Your birthdays are only one day apart, why can't you just share?"

My dad, who was reading the newspaper on the couch, rolled his eyes and finally cut my mom off.

"Alright, that’s enough."

He looked at me. "Since you're back, go to the kitchen and start cooking. Because you weren't home, Lily had to eat greasy takeout last night."

I didn't say a word. I had absolutely no intention of acting like their maid anymore.

Clutching the newly printed divorce papers in my bag, I walked straight upstairs to find Ethan.

As I passed Lily’s room, I saw Ethan inside, just as I expected.

He was leaning against her vanity, watching her try on outfit after outfit with a tender, doting look in his eyes.

He would even offer serious advice:

"This one looks much better than the last, but your neck looks a bit bare."

"Let me think... It would go perfectly with that diamond necklace I bought you last month."

I stood there, watching them.

I felt like a stray dog looking through a window, staring at someone else's warm home.

Ethan had never looked at me like that.

No matter how eagerly I used to ask for his opinion on my clothes, he would never even look up. He would just say, "I'm a guy, I don't know anything about fashion. Wear whatever."

It was like that when we were dating, when we got engaged, and even after we got married.

Maybe I had been standing at the door for too long.

Lily, who was chatting happily, finally spotted me. She waved with a bright smile.

"Sera! You're back!"