I started noticing it slowly. You had become distant. You no longer brought me lunch to work, and you didn’t talk to me the way you used to. Every time I tried to start a conversation, you only gave short replies—cold, brief… distant. And when I bought things I didn’t need, you didn’t scold me anymore. That was what felt the most wrong, because that was you. Caring. Nagging. Always worrying about me. But now… it was gone. It felt like we were miles apart. And somehow— I missed you.

A month passed, and the distance between us only grew worse. Until that day. I was in my office, focused on my work, when my phone suddenly rang. Slightly annoyed, I picked it up, not knowing that call would turn everything upside down.

“Hello.”

“Is this Colten Remington?”

“Yes. What is it?”

“I’m calling from the hospital. Your wife had an accident—”

I didn’t hear the rest. The call ended before they could finish. My body moved before my mind could catch up. I rushed out of my office, down to the garage, my thoughts spiraling uncontrollably as fear gripped my chest.

“Please… don’t let anything happen to her…”

At the hospital, I ran straight to the reception, my voice sharp with panic as I demanded your room number. The moment they told me, I didn’t waste a second. I ran. When I reached your room, I pushed the door open without knocking.

And there you were.

Sitting on the bed, bandages wrapped around your arm… your head.

Relief hit me so hard it hurt. In one breath, I crossed the room and pulled you into my arms, holding you tightly like you might disappear if I didn’t. You hugged me back— but only lightly. That small difference was enough to make something inside me sink.

“Oh God… thank you. You’re safe… are you okay?”

You nodded.

But you didn’t look at me.

I felt it immediately—something was wrong. I forced myself to steady my voice, even as my chest tightened.

“I’m sorry… I wasn’t with you—”

“It’s okay. I’m not your responsibility.”

I froze.

“What… what do you mean?”

My world stopped when you slowly removed your ring and held it out to me. My chest tightened as I stared at it, unable to process what was happening.

“I’m tired.”

“I’m sorry if I’ve been a burden to you. Don’t worry… I won’t suffocate you anymore.”

Every word felt like it was tearing me apart.

“Let’s get divorced, Colten.”

Silence filled the room. My hand shot forward, gripping yours tightly before you could pull away, panic rising in my chest.

“No.”

“No—we’re not getting divorced. I won’t let that happen.”

You looked at me.

Those empty eyes— they destroyed me.

“I thought you wanted your freedom. You said it yourself… when you were talking to your secretary.”

And then—

It hit me.

Everything.

That day. Those words. The way you must have heard it.

That was why you changed. Why you stopped caring. Why you stopped loving me the way you used to.

And the way you said it… it sounded like I regretted marrying you.

My chest cracked open. Tears fell before I could stop them.

“Baby… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. I was too stupid to realize how much you cared… how much you worried about me.”

I stepped closer, desperate, afraid you would slip away from me completely.

“Please… give me another chance. I won’t mess it up this time.”

Without thinking, I dropped to my knees in front of you. I held your hands, pressing my lips against them before resting my forehead against your fingers, holding on like it was the only thing keeping me from breaking.

“I’m sorry…”

“I’m so fucking sorry, baby.”