Seven years into my marriage, my wife’s assistant Jonah Johnson showed off a multi-million dollar racecar on his social media. The caption was, “I love my job, but I love my boss even more!”

As soon as I liked his post, I was blocked from it.

My wife immediately called to yell at me. “Jonah just signed a huge contract, so I gave him a little reward. Did you have to scold him on social media over something like that? Don’t push your limits just because I’m kind to you!”

I heard Jonah blaming himself and my wife Nia comforting him on the other side of the phone. Before I could say anything else, she hung up on me and blocked my number.

The next instant, Jonah posted a screenshot of a million-dollar transfer. I knew that was Nia’s way of consoling and compensating him.

This time, however, I did not care anymore.

When Nia found me, I was just leaving the company after a day’s work.

I had just undergone a heart bypass surgery, so I was supposed to be resting on doctor’s orders, but I still dove straight into work after I was discharged.

Today was my seventh wedding anniversary with Nia. That was also why I left the hospital early.

After I booked a high-class restaurant to surprise her, however, I called her and found out my number had been blocked.

As I was going through my phone in frustration, I suddenly saw Jonah’s Instagram story. It included a picture of a multi-million dollar luxury car, and the caption, “I love my job, but I love my boss even more!”

He obviously could not afford that car on his salary.

I smiled exasperatedly. It was obvious that Nia bought it for him.

The moment I liked the story, though, he blocked it. The next second, Nia called to yell at me.

“Jonah just signed a huge contract, so I gave him a little reward. Did you have to scold him on Instagram over something like that? Don’t push your limits just because I’m kind to you!”

I heard Jonah blaming himself and my wife Nia comforting him on the other side of the phone. Before I could say anything else, she hung up on me and blocked my number.

I laughed self-deprecatingly. After so many years of marriage, Nia should know my character by now, even if she did not love me. Would I ever stoop so low as to insult Jonah online?

The next instant, Jonah posted a screenshot of a million-dollar transfer. I knew that was Nia’s way of consoling and compensating him.

This time, however, I did not care anymore. She could misunderstand me however she liked. It did not matter.

In a manner of speaking, I might have to thank Jonah. If it were not for him, I would not have known where Nia went.

To distract myself, I had gone back to the office to work overtime, trying to numb myself with work. To my surprise, however, Nia confronted me even there.

As soon as I stepped out of the building, she stormed up to me. “I thought your company didn’t have overtime! Are you hiding out here because you wanted to escape the chores at home?

“I didn’t even have a hot meal at home after a long day’s work. Do you want me to starve?!”

She never picked me up from work before. And here I thought she finally grew a conscience.

On the contrary, she came all the way here to yell at me!

I looked at her. “You were so busy that I assumed you weren’t coming home tonight.”

Before, I would rush home after work to cook and clean for her. She said her clothes had to be hand-washed, so I would patiently wash her dirty clothes after she went to bed.

I was constantly worried she would be mad at me, but she never once respected me. Now, I finally realized that putting in the effort did not mean my love would be reciprocated.

Maybe my words pricked at Nia’s conscience, because she did not harp on that any further. Instead, she went into her car and pulled out a gift box. There was a Rolex watch inside.

“Here, your anniversary gift. Open it!”

However, I could not muster any joy at all upon seeing the box. It had obviously been opened by someone else before, and that person was obviously Jonah.

I did not open the box, getting into the car wordlessly.

Nia was a little annoyed at my attitude. “Dylan Shea, why are you throwing a tantrum for this time? I just scolded you a bit earlier today, but it was your fault to begin with!”

I glanced at her. “I’m not in the habit of accepting other people’s leftovers.”

Nia was a smart woman, so she knew what I meant. Even so, she huffed indignantly, “Who said this was a leftover? The packaging’s just a little damaged. You’re such a pain!”

The next second, though, her phone rang with a text notification, and she could not suppress her smile. Even her tone was much gentler. “You’re always overthinking. Fine, I’ll get you another gift later. Happy now?”

I did not have high hopes for her presents anymore, so I merely shrugged. “Sure. If you’re busy, you can just drop me off at home first.”

Nia frowned. “It isn’t that far. Can’t you just walk home? Or are you trying to delay me on purpose because you know I’m busy?”

A while ago, I would have angrily demanded who she was going to meet. However, I could not afford to lose my temper so soon after the surgery, and I could not be bothered to argue with her, either.

“You’re the one who’s overthinking. I’m just too tired today. If it isn’t convenient for you, I’ll just call a cab.”

I sighed again. If my surgery scar was not still sore, and if my doctor had not advised me to take it easy, I never would have asked her for a lift.

When I gave up, though, Nia quickly compromised. “Fine, I’ll send you home. But don’t push your limits any more than that!”

I nodded without a word.

Nia’s car only stopped at the main gates. She would not even spend another minute to drop me off at the door.

I could tell that she was in a rush. She slammed the accelerator the entire way, as though terrified Jonah would be mad at her for being a little late.

I did not waste my breath, getting out of the car as soon as it stopped.

Somewhat surprised, Nia lowered the car window. “Make some supper, and I’ll eat with you when I get back.”

A while ago, I would have been ecstatic to hear that — but I did not need her company anymore. Once I got back home, I made a simple sandwich, left it on the table, then took my medicine and went to bed.

I thought that would pacify Nia. Besides, she probably was not that keen to have supper with me, anyway.

Not long after I fell asleep, though, Nia yanked me out of bed angrily. “Didn’t I tell you to make supper and wait up for me?!”

I rubbed my bleary eyes. “Your supper’s on the table.”

With that, I wanted to go back to sleep, but Nia pulled me back up incessantly. “That’s just a cheese sandwich!

“Weren’t you always bugging me to spend more time with you? I finally have time today, yet here you are, going to bed early. You’re doing this to spite me, aren’t you?!”

It was no wonder she was angry. Back then, I would have made a feast and downloaded her favorite movie, waiting for her no matter how late she returned.

Now, though, even if my mind was willing, my flesh was weak.

I suppressed my temper, explaining patiently. “I’m tired after a long day, and I still have to get up early tomorrow for work. That’s why I went to sleep early.”

Nia tossed the present onto the bed irritably. “Whatever. I’m going to shower!”

I picked up the present and looked at it. It was the same watch, only with new packaging. Even the new box was left over from her company’s annual party last year.

I tossed the gift aside. To prevent her from disturbing me anymore that night, I took some sheets out of the closet and moved to the guest room.

However, Nia was surprisingly persistent that night. She even pulled me out of the guest room bed. “What are you playing at this time? You didn’t open the present and even moved to the guest room!

“Dylan, I warned you not to push your limits! That car was just a reward to Jonah for signing a big deal! Besides, he’s always been one of our best employees; he deserves that much! Why are you kicking up such a big fuss over something so trivial?!”

I nodded. “Yeah, yeah, I won’t fuss about it anymore. Can I sleep now?”

Nia thought I was being sarcastic, so she slapped me. “I’ve been too nice to you, Dylan! You asked for this!”

I held my smarting cheek. My explanation died on the tip of my tongue, so all I said was, “Youu’re free to think whatever you like.”

After all, it did not matter how I explained myself. She would only scold me harder.

In our seven years together, this was my first time talking to Nia like that. Her face flashed with surprise.

I ignored her and walked back to the master bedroom, returning her gift to her. She would always buy a random gift for me after she messed around with Jonah to appease me. I would accept her atonement every time.

Today, though, when she gave me Jonah’s leftovers as an anniversary gift, I could not hide my disgust anymore.

She could tell something was off about me, but she did not take it seriously. She stubbornly believed I was still throwing a tantrum at her.

In truth, I no longer got mad about anything she did.

Nia stopped trying to talk to me when she saw I was not willing to compromise. She left the guest room and slammed the door behind her.

As I was about to fall asleep, I heard her laughter from the living room. She was obviously on the phone with Jonah again.

It seemed they were still deeply in love. Good, that way I could leave her even easier.

Early the next morning, I left the house and went to the best divorce lawyer in town. “Write me a case that’ll make her leave without a penny!”

Once I was done handling the divorce papers, I sat down in a cafe. Before marrying Nia, my favorite pastime was to find a cafe on my day off and read a book quietly.

After we got married, though, I no longer had time for myself. My life revolved around her, and I once naively believed I would be able to win her heart with my efforts.

As it turned out, she took everything I did for granted.

When I was about to head home, Nia called me excitedly. “Where are you? I’ll pick you up!”

I was confused. “Pick me up? Where to?”

She simply said, “You’ll know soon enough!”

Just like that, she hung up before I could decline. I shrugged — I was divorcing her soon anyway, so she could do whatever she wanted.

I sent her my location. Within minutes, her car pulled up in front of the cafe. Jonah was in the passenger seat, so I ignored him and sat in the back row.

Nia glanced at me. “Are you blind? Can’t you at least say hi to Jonah? Geez, your mom never taught you manners.

“Look at you! You’re a mess with stubble everywhere. You stick out like a sore thumb in that cafe!”

Jonah pretended to defend me. “Let it go, Nia. Gordon isn’t young anymore, so you can’t compare him to the young folk.”

I smirked self-deprecatingly. “That’s right. Why else would your dear Nia find a sprightly young assistant like you? For the eye candy, of course!”

Nia clicked her tongue. “Stop being so sarcastic, Dylan. And here I was excited to bring you out, but you keep ruining the mood.

“You suspect everything when you don’t see Jonah. Now he’s right in front of you, and you still want to pick a fight! What’s wrong with you?”

I caught Jonah’s smug smirk in the rearview mirror and forced myself to stay calm. “Fine, I was wrong.”

Only then did Nia let it slide. “You should’ve just said that from the start! Must you always make me mad?”

Unfortunately, she could not hear the exasperation in my voice. Whatever, now I cared less about her than she did about me!