As Ruby's invitation hung in the air, Andy smiled and replied: [Okay.]

His fingers paused, scrolling through the chat history with me.

Days had passed without a word exchanged between us.

The last message was still lingering from when I had asked: [When will you be back tonight?]

No response came.

That evening, he was once again summoned to attend to Ruby's personal affairs.

Andy frowned with a hint of discontent etching on his features.

In the past, it was I who initiated the conversations, his replies as capricious as his moods.

Each quarrel ended with me swallowing my pride, extending an olive branch.

Yet, this was the first time we had endured such a lengthy cold war, and I had yet to yield.

He often admonished me not to intrude on his space.

Now that I truly refrained, he should have been content.

But his brows remained knitted as if grappling with an unforeseen dilemma.

His fingers danced across the screen, typing and deleting words in hesitation before finally sending a message.

[Have you figured out how to apologize to Ruby?]

Five minutes passed, but his phone was silent.

Half an hour later, there was still no response.

Andy slammed his phone down with irritation. "Let's see how long you can hold out."

At that moment, a colleague burst in with a parcel in hand.

"Andy, this seems to be for you."

Glancing at the signature, he added, "Looks like it's from your wife, right?"

Andy took it. His expression was sullen as he casually opened the box.

Inside lay the anniversary gift I had meticulously prepared a week in advance.

This year marked our third wedding anniversary. A cherished tradition we had faithfully maintained was the exchange of heartfelt gifts.

However, the serene waters of our celebration were rippled by an unexpected turn: Ruby's return disrupted Andy's memory. He seemed busy day and night.

But I still prepared a gift for Andy.

The gift was a U-shaped latex pillow, which was designed to alleviate the strain on Andy's cervical spine from his frequent naps at his desk.

I chose it after two weeks of searching.

"Andy, you're one lucky guy!" the colleague exclaimed.

"Your wife is so thoughtful, unlike my wife who barely cares me!"

But Andy remained cold, a trace of scorn curling his lips.

"She's just playing these petty tricks."

With that, he discarded the pillow, not even sparing it a second glance.

"You don't want it?" the colleague asked, surprised. "If you abandon it, I'll take it."

Andy didn't even lift his head.

"I'm unwilling to use anything that woman sends.

"Take it if you like it."

His colleague claimed the gift I had painstakingly chosen over two weeks.

Andy was unmoved, his attention seemingly captivated by the conversation between Ruby.

The faint smile playing on his lips hurt me, a silent testament to his detachment.

These days, Andy had been consumed by the demands of the criminal police team, his colleagues, and the relentless pursuit of clues.

After work, he frequented Ruby's abode, where she had mastered an array of delicacies to ensnare his palate, resulting in his absence from our home for a full seven days.

The DNA comparison results remained elusive, casting a shadow of concern over the team as they contemplated my body.

"It's truly perplexing. The deceased has been missing for seven days. Why hasn't her family reported it to the police?"

The criminal investigators were taken aback.

Their speculations ranged from harsh criticisms of the deceased's family as neglectful to the possibility that I might have been without family altogether.

Hovered at the sidelines, I lowered my head at these words.

Apart from Andy, I indeed had no family.

Raised in an orphanage, I had envisioned a solitary, childless life until Andy entered my world.

His vows at our marriage had been poignant, promising to cherish me for life.

Yet, here I was, deceased for seven days.

He remained oblivious, never once returning home to check on me or noticing my absence.

Roy Smith, the policeman, unearthed new leads. His expression was grave as he addressed Andy.

"Andy, have you been in contact with your wife recently?"

The room fell silent, all eyes on Andy.

Andy turned gloomy. "What do you mean?"