I'm in a secret marriage with Jessica Justice, a female CEO, for eight years.

In order to please Cole Miller, Jessica has almost gotten divorced with me 99 times so far.

The first time she brings up divorce, it's because my socks' colors are mismatched.

The second time she does, she claims that the way I mop the floor is too ugly.

…

The reason of the 98th divorce is that I step through the doorway with my left foot first.

Every time divorce is brought up, I'll always beg Jessica to not go through with it in an extremely lowly and humble manner. After that, I'll accept her condition to get back with me, which is always a punishment. Apparently, my pain and suffering is the only thing that can make Cole smile.

The punishments range from washing Cole's feet to eating 100 slices of mango—which I'm very allergic to—and getting sent to the ICU as a result.

This time, since Cole is in a bad mood, Jessica decides to go with a thrilling punishment.

"As long as you can climb up a tower of 6500 feet without wearing a safety line, I will never bring up divorce in front of you ever again."

All color has been drained from my face. Still, I nod while gritting my teeth together.

But the next day, Jessica brings up divorce to me for the 100th time. The reason is that Cole has climbed 6499 feet just to please her. But apparently I've climbed an extra foot, so I end up stealing his thunder.

This time, I no longer plead to her to stay. Instead, I tell my grandpa that I agree to inherit my family's assets that are worth ten billion dollars.

Heck, the number of socialites who yearn to marry me can line up to the moon and back.

July was unbearably hot, yet it started raining out of nowhere.

From the other end of the line came the laughter of Cole Miller and Jessica Justice.

Jessica said, "Hello?"

Thinking I hadn't heard clearly, she repeated herself. "Cole said climbing the tower was too easy, so it doesn't count. Come to Hyacinth Diner for your new punishment tonight."

Jessica had always been like this.

In order to get back together for the 97th time, she made me buy her birth control. After I did, she still said it was too easy and insisted I eat 99 mangoes for it to count.

The doctor said not even a miracle could have saved me if I had been even a minute late.

A chill spread uncontrollably through my chest as I ended the call.

I was done playing this carefully planned humiliation game with Jessica.

I thought about the message I sent Grandpa this morning, agreeing to go back home and inherit the family fortune worth billions. He was so overjoyed, he said he would personally come to Haryndale to pick me up in three days.

I'd gotten quicker at packing. But then, I unexpectedly found something.

Under the bed was a Ferris wheel model, plush dolls, and all the little gifts we'd exchanged back in college.

Yes, Jessica and I once had sweet, loving days too.

Back then, we went to the same high school and then got into the same college. We ended up getting closer after that.

Under the willow tree, I held out a bouquet of red roses and confessed, "I like you, Jessica."

Jessica's eyes reddened. Her emotions were full when she told me she liked me too.

It couldn't have been more different from the way she later curled up in Cole's arms, telling me she didn't like me at all.

Sometimes, time could change people, turning them into strangers.

With a bitter smile, I tossed the items holding memories into a black trash bag. Then I caught sight of a small box hidden underneath the bed.

A thick notebook labeled "Diary of Love" caught my attention.

Flipping to the first page, I saw these words:

Lose 11 pounds.

Get into Haryndale College.

Get Percy Graham to fall in love with me in college.

I was surprised. Had Jessica already liked me back in high school?

The later pages barely mentioned her weight loss or getting into Haryndale College. But the remaining pages were filled with my likes, dislikes, and even the tiny habits I didn't notice about myself.

My hands trembled, barely able to hold the notebook.

It turned out Jessica had once loved me deeply. But even so, it wasn't enough to stop her from falling for Cole in the end.

I put the diary back where I found it.

A love Jessica had already buried should stay buried.

I packed up more than a dozen boxes of belongings, but I couldn't find the signet ring belonging to my family.

It wasn't just proof that I was the heir to the Graham family. With it, I could walk into any bank under the Graham Corp and withdraw hundreds of millions.

After I got into college, Grandpa was eager for me to come home and take over the family business.

He wanted me to go abroad to study finance, but I wanted to come to Haryndale and study wood carving.

After the huge fight with Grandpa, I cut off all contact and financial support from my family.

The signet ring was the only thing I carefully gave to Jessica.

I gave her a call, but it was busy every time.

Then I recalled what she said that morning.

It seemed like I had no choice but to go to Hyacinth Diner tonight, even if it was just for the signet ring.

…

Elegant piano music echoed through the hallway outside the private rooms of the diner.

The closer I got to Room 808 that Jessica had mentioned, the quieter everything became.

I opened the door, leaving a small crack. Laughter spilled out through the gap.

"Jessica's amazing! Back then, she said she'd go after Delta High's heartthrob, Percy, and she actually got him."

"And now she's got him trained like a dog. The women who used to chase after him would be so heartbroken if they saw this."

"Well, he made Jessica work so hard to win him over back then. Now she's successful, about to secure investment from the Graham family, and becoming the top female president in Haryndale. Why should Percy get to coast along and live off her while messing around with that stupid word carving?"

Jessica merely responded with a quiet hum.

Her usually cool and detached tone made my chest tighten.

It turned out that all the humiliation under the guise of punishment was due to the jealousy Jessica felt deep down.

I closed the door quietly, shutting out the laughter inside.

I turned to leave, but the waitstaff stopped me. He spoke loudly, "Sir, Room 808 is right here."

Cole heard the commotion outside and opened the door. He feigned surprise as he pulled me in. "Oh, you're here, Percy. Come on in."

Everyone inside was Jessica's middle school classmates. I recognized them from old graduation photos.

They were all waiting for a good show, knowingly asking, "Who's this, Ms. Justice?"

Jessica held a glass of red wine, a cold smirk resting on her lips. "Just the chauffeur."

She then tossed a set of car keys at me. "Take the car back. Don't ruin my mood."

Cole leaned in close beside Jessica, his lips brushing near her ear, giving it a light bite. "Have him go buy a box of condoms, Jessy. We'll need them later."

The room erupted in laughter, every bit of it aimed at me.

Jessica set her wine glass down and ruffled Cole's hair in an indulgent manner. Then, she glanced at me, expression indifferent. "Didn't you hear him? Hurry up and go."

I looked around at everyone in the room.

They just wanted to see me humiliated, but I wouldn't let them.

"A chauffeur's job is to drive, not run errands." This was the first time I had ever refused Jessica.

Cole snapped first, pointing a finger right at me. "If you don't go, I'll have Jessy cut off your allowance!"

I smiled faintly. That thousand dollars wasn't even enough to cover groceries.

All this time, I'd avoided spending Jessica's money, living off my savings and part-time work to help cover expenses. But somehow, that made me some freeloader living off her scraps in their eyes.

"Then cut it off," I replied flatly, then turned and walked out.

Jessica's expression darkened.

Cole leaned into her arms and pouted. "How annoying. I want some lobster!"

My steps faltered.

Back then, Jessica had brought me to this diner for the first time to celebrate our fourth anniversary. She had just started her business, struggling with the money I'd provided her.

When she saw a steaming plate of lobster at another table, she'd looked at it with quiet envy and said, "When I make it big one day, Percy, I'll treat you to lobsters too! We'll get two—one for ourselves and one for show!"

Back then, a lobster here was around a hundred dollars. Now it has jumped to two hundred.

Jessica let out a soft laugh and agreed readily. "Order as many as you like. Get ten of them. We'll eat one and leave the rest for show—as long as you're happy."

What was I still hoping for?

She was no longer the Jessica who would share anything good with me.

I kept walking.

A strange tension suddenly settled inside the private room.

Furious, Jessica hurled her wine glass hard against the door.

The sharp sound of shattering glass rang out behind me, but I didn't look back.

…

It was already dark by the time I got home. I finished showering and headed straight to bed.

Suddenly, Jessica kicked the door open and yanked me upright. "Cole has an upset stomach from the lobster. Go get medicine!"

I frowned as I opened my eyes, holding out my hand. "Give me back the signet ring, and I'll go."

"What ring?" Jessica waved me off impatiently. "Just go get the medicine first. I'll give it back to you after that. And we'll count this as the hundredth time we've gotten back together."

I got dressed and headed downstairs. She was holding a cup of hot water for Cole, whose face was pale with discomfort.

She softly said, "Drink some more. You'll feel better."

Jessica had never spoken to me like that in all eight years we were together. I looked away, unable to bear watching.

Without even looking up, she coldly barked, "The car's out of gas. You can walk instead."

I nodded quietly.

It started pouring heavily the moment I stepped out of the neighborhood.

Most of the convenience stores were closed at that hour.

I was soaked to the bone by the time I made it back with the medicine.

But then, I saw Cole leisurely eating fruits fed by Jessica.

Upon seeing me dripping wet, he covered his mouth in mock surprise. "Oh my, I didn't realize it was raining that hard outside. Sorry, Percy. I just remembered the car actually had gas, so Jessy drove out and got me the medicine."

I let out a bitter smile. It was just another of their acts to mess with me.

I tossed the medicine into the trash and didn't bother saying anything else. I just looked right at Jessica and demanded, "Give me back the signet ring."

Cole flinched as if he had been frightened, shrinking into her arms as he started sniffling.

Jessica immediately pulled him close and snapped, "Get out! I already said this counts as the punishment. What are you still mad about? It's just a ring. Do you really think I'd keep it from you?"

Then, she turned back to comfort Cole, not sparing me a single glance.

The next morning, I woke up early, feeling restless.

Grandfather had texted back, saying he was already on a flight home and would be landing at Haryndale Airport tomorrow afternoon.

I had to get the signet ring back and file for divorce before then.

But Jessica would never agree if I brought it up now. So, I waited for her to bring it up first, so I could use it as leverage and say yes.

It didn't take long for my opportunity to present itself.

Jessica took a sip of the soup I made and frowned. "You can't even make soup right. It's too salty! What are you even good for? Let's just get a divorce!"

There was a flicker of excitement in both her and Cole's eyes, as if they were already anticipating the punishment I had to endure just to get back together for the 101st time.

But my reply was unexpectedly calm. "Okay. Let's get divorced."

Jessica jumped in before she even processed what I said. "Then for this round, your punishment is to go run naked in the park for five—"

She stopped mid-sentence, my words finally sinking in. Her eyes widened. "Did you just say okay?"

I replied, "Yes. I'll make it easy for you and Cole this time."

The first time Jessica brought up divorce was over the excuse of me wearing the wrong socks.

I stayed because I loved her and couldn't let go of what we had.

That pain of loving her but not wanting to lose her kept tearing at me repeatedly. Until eventually, my love ran out, and my heart was worn raw.

I finally realized that I might not even make it out alive if I didn't let go now.

Jessica laughed in disbelief and tossed her spoon aside. "Have you lost your mind?"

Then, as if reconsidering, she added in a condescending tone, "If you don't want to run out of embarrassment, you can switch to something else."

Cole let out an unhappy grunt, but was silenced by Jessica's sharp glare.

I shook my head, replying steadily, "No matter what the punishment is, I'm not doing it anymore. Give me back the signet ring, Jessica. Let's end this cleanly and get a divorce. Isn't this what you've always wanted?"

Cole's eyes gleamed when he turned to Jessica. But her gaze burned with anger as she glared at me.

"Fine! You want the ring and a divorce? Then go run naked in the park for five minutes tonight. Do that, and I'll give it back and get a divorce from you!" With that, she grabbed him and stormed out, knocking over the bowl of soup as they left.

I crouched down and cleaned up the mess on the floor, like I was picking up the pieces of my own shattered heart.

Jessica was unhappy when I begged her not to divorce me. She was still unhappy now that I agreed to it.

What she wanted all along was the satisfaction of humiliating me. It was her way of getting back at me for all the effort she once put into pursuing me.

But I was never the one who fell first in this relationship.

…

That night, I went to the park as told.

Before I even started taking off my clothes, I noticed four or five cameras hidden in the bushes, their lenses catching the light.

A chill ran down my spine.

Five minutes should have passed in the blink of an eye, but it was stretched out long in that moment.

The second it was over, applause erupted from the bushes.

Jessica laughed, delighted. "Not bad. Since you're willing to throw away your dignity, I'll agree not to bring up divorce again—"

I hurriedly put my clothes back on and cut her off. "Jessica, you said you'd give me the ring and divorce me if I ran for five minutes."

Jessica's expression darkened immediately.

Cole doubled over laughing while holding a camera. "You're still asking about the ring? Jessy already gave that thing to me long ago. Guess what? I thought it looked ugly, so I tossed it down the drain. It's probably sitting in the sewer by now."

My fists clenched, and I swung at his face.

The camera hit the ground.

Everything exploded like water splashed into hot oil.

"How dare you hit me!" Cole yelled as he took punches from me.

"Security!" Jessica's expression turned vicious as she called the bodyguards to pull me off him.

Cole immediately covered his face and hid behind her.

Jessica snapped, "I've clearly been too lenient with you in the past, Percy. You're even laying a hand on Cole now! I'm going to teach you a lesson today."

With a flick of her hand, more than a dozen bodyguards surrounded me, their fists landing like rain.

I couldn't fight off a dozen pairs of hands with only two hands myself. Very quickly, I was barely conscious on the ground, with blood at the corner of my mouth.

"Enough!" Jessica stood over me, pressing down her foot on my head as she ground it into the ground. "Remember this—I'll kill you if you ever touch Cole again."

Sure enough, I really would lose my life if this went on any longer.

Behind her, Cole looked at me smugly, mouthing the words, "You lost."

I forced out a faint smile. I wouldn't be losing if I didn't love Jessica anymore.

My phone chimed with a text from Grandpa. "I landed early, Percy. Where are you?"