The truth was, Delia was merely stringing Jasper along. He was only a captain back then, and she was holding out for a better prospect.

I stopped by the University of Seattle to inquire about enrollment requirements and living costs.

Only then did I head home, a weight lifted from my shoulders.

When I arrived at Jasper’s apartment, Delia’s sickeningly sweet voice drifted from inside the moment I opened the door. "Jasper, you didn't stay with Isabel and came back to be with me instead. Won't she be mad?"

"I can be with her anytime. But you always have such painful periods, I couldn't rest easy leaving you here alone."

Delia’s happy laugh followed, quickly replaced by a feigned grievance. "Jasper, after you marry Isabel, will you still be this nice to me?"

"Of course," Jasper’s tone was firm. "Who else would I be nice to? If Isabel is ever mean to you, I'll divorce her!"

My hands balled into fists as I fought back the acidic knot in my stomach. Even in this new life, it still stung to hear my own husband speak of me so coldly.

Composing myself, I walked into the apartment as if nothing were amiss.

Jasper emerged from Delia's room, a trace of embarrassment on his face. "I… I saw Delia wasn't feeling well, so I came to check on her."

I offered a faint "Mm" and turned toward my room. In my last life, I had fought with him endlessly over their inappropriate closeness. This time, I wouldn't waste the time or the energy.

He called out to me. "Isabel, let's go buy some candy to give to the neighbors to celebrate."

I shot him a surprised look, realizing this was likely his attempt to compensate for my unusual quietness. "There's no need. We don't have to bother with formalities like that."

He looked stunned, probably finding it hard to believe I would turn down such a gesture.

"Isabel, are you mad because Jasper was taking care of me?" Delia stepped out of her room, her expression a perfect mask of innocence and hurt.

She was wearing the dress I had bought for our wedding photos—the one I’d saved for half a year to buy in my past life, only to never wear it myself.

My gaze fell on the dress, and Delia quickly explained, "I saw this by your bed today and thought it was pretty, so I wanted to try it on. I forgot to change out of it." She lowered her head, wringing her hands like a guilty child.

Jasper instinctively began, "Isabel, don't—"

I cut him off calmly. "It looks good on you. You can have it. I've never worn it anyway."

I could still recall the faint scent of blood and sweat on that fabric, the memory of running home crying in the middle of the night. The mere thought of it now made me sick.

As they both stared in astonishment, I returned to my room and locked the door. I pulled out a folder. Inside was the acceptance letter from the University of Seattle.

In my past life, I had yearned for a life in Seattle, especially since the university had the finance and economics program I dreamed of.

I had given up my studies to support Jasper, willingly staying home to care for his parents. This time, that chance wasn't gone. I was going to live for myself.

I glanced at the calendar. I only had ten days left before I could leave this place. Time was short; every second had to count.

A sharp knock at the door shattered my train of thought.

I opened it impatiently.

Jasper stood there holding a bowl of noodles, his tone gentle. "You must be hungry. I made you some instant noodles."

For a moment, I was stunned. In my last life, he had only ever been cold as ice or spoken to me with harsh words.

It had been a very long time since I'd seen Jasper act so considerate. "No, thanks. I already ate out."

"You ate out? But you were always so reluctant to spend money."

His words stung. It was true. I used to be frugal, pinching pennies and using most of the money I earned from part-time jobs to buy him things.

Now that I was going to university, I had a lot of expenses, and every penny had to be carefully managed.

I looked up at him and said calmly, "I remember giving you the money for wedding supplies a few days ago. It doesn't look like you bought anything. Give the money back to me."

He froze for a second, then explained awkwardly, "That money... well, I already used it to buy Delia a pair of Jimmy Choos."

I couldn't help but let a small, bitter smile touch my lips. Just as I thought. Same old story.

"Fine. If that's all, I'm going to bed."

"I'll give you the money tomorrow," he said, his tone tinged with annoyance. "We're a married couple. Do you have to be so petty?"

I couldn't help but scoff. "So you spend the money I worked so hard to save on someone else, and I'm not allowed to be unhappy about it?"

He knew he was in the wrong but still stubbornly muttered, "You're being so unreasonable."

I couldn't be bothered to argue with him anymore and slammed the door shut.

Over the next few days, I sold off some old belongings—souvenirs that had held special meaning in my past life but now seemed like nothing more than worthless junk.

I packed them all up and sold them to a junk dealer for a little pocket money.

That afternoon, I was packing when Jasper appeared with some cash. He said stiffly, "Here's your money."

I took the money and nodded. "Thanks."

He looked at me with a complicated expression, his gaze falling on my packed luggage. "I'm planning to take Delia to New York with me. You don't need to pack."

I didn't stop what I was doing, just nodded. He seemed thrown by my attitude, a flicker of unease in his eyes. "What's wrong with you lately? You're like a different person."

I turned around impatiently. I didn't want any more complications. Although Jasper didn't love me, if he found out Delia's name was on the marriage certificate, he would likely divorce her for her sake and then come to marry me.

I didn't want to get entangled with this despicable pair ever again.

"It's nothing. I just wanted to get my things organized. Once you're in New York, I'll move back to our small town in Oregon."

He let out a sigh of relief and explained, "It's not that I don't want to take you with me. It's just that Delia has never seen New York and wants to go. I'll bring you over in a few months."

I nodded absently. In my last life, he didn't come for me for a full eight years.

It wasn't until Delia married the son of a high-ranking general in New York that he, in his despair, finally brought me over.

He watched me uneasily. Usually, when we were alone, I would chatter on endlessly.

Now that I was barely speaking, he was the one who seemed restless. "Didn't you always want to take wedding photos? Let's go to the studio tomorrow."

That wouldn't work. I had planned to buy university supplies tomorrow.

Just as I was about to make an excuse, Delia walked in, affectionately linking her arm with Jasper's. "Jasper, what photo studio? I want to take pictures too."

Jasper smiled and patted Delia's head. "Okay, we'll all go together tomorrow."