I was severely injured in a car accident.

Claudine, who vowed to love me forever while kneeling in front of my parents, didn't even give me a glance. Her eyes were filled with affection and adoration as she assisted her childhood sweetheart in tightening his seat belt.

"What a lame trick! Did they want to take advantage of this to steal a kiss?” I said.

My life was spared in time by a bystander who called for an ambulance.

***

A week later, Claudine’s childhood sweetheart, Edgar Grant showed up to show me his one million-dollar watch.

"Archie, you told me you always wanted this watch, right? Claudine just gave it to me. Do you want it?

I gave him a cold stare and said, "No."

Even my six-year wife, Claudine Fowler, wasn't someone I wanted.

I packed my bags that evening and headed to the beach for a half-month getaway. I got a lot of calls from Claudine, who hadn't spoken to me in over ten days.

"Where have you gone, Archie? You agreed to go with me to undergo IVF yesterday, didn't you?” From the telephone, came Claudine's fiery voice.

Without a word, I simply took a bite of an ice cream.

Hearing the sound, Claudine on the other end of the line appeared to frown.

"Archie, are you eating ice cream again? The doctor advised both of us to avoid raw and cold foods throughout the pregnancy preparation phase, so we are no longer permitted to eat them!"

I scowled as I took another large bite. "No need to avoid it."

I was injured in a car accident half a month ago and was bleeding heavily, so I asked Claudine to drive me to the hospital. She didn't even glance at me, though. Her eyes were exclusively focused on Edgar, her childhood sweetheart, who was sitting in the nearby car. She gently assisted him in tightening his seat belts, her brows full of tenderness and ambivalence. And I stared in anguish as they drove away while I laid in a pool of blood.

Afterward, I spent seven days in the hospital.

While Edgar spent seven days in a row posting on Snapchat Moments.

“I went skiing with the little princess today! I have no idea how to ski, but this little princess was eager to show me step by step. She is really patient. Does anyone realize how skilled she is at this?

"I went mountain climbing today with the little princess. Kissing on the summit of the mountain felt amazing!”

***

When I mentioned I didn't need to skip eating, Claudine didn't seem to care.

From the phone came her agitated voice.

"Stop being angry. I just thought of calling you at night because I couldn't recall the date yesterday. It's not a huge problem. It's all my fault that I'm so busy. I'll take tomorrow off and go with you to the hospital for IVF, at the very least."

"So, where are you now? I'll come get you."

I hung up the phone, ignoring her. She contacted me several times after that and I became irritated and shut off my phone.

As soon as I exited the airport after returning from the beach, I noticed Claudine's car parked on the side of the road. Her gaze landed on my face as she rolled down the window.

"Oh, so now you still remember to return home? This is the longest you've ever been away from me and you didn't even say a thing! No one has cleaned the house while you've been gone for so long. Did you know that?"

Taking the effort to sit in the back seat, I put on my headphones and got into the car.

After a long moment without the car starting, Claudine scowled a little and turned back to face me.

"Why did you sit in there?"

"What did you say?" I said, taking off one of my headphones because I couldn't hear her properly.

The lighting obscured Claudine's face as she said, "You only sat in the passenger seat before."

I looked down and chuckled, remembering the old days. I assumed that the passenger seat was reserved for the spouse, like most guys who want to show that they were loved.

But it wasn't until I discovered a pair of worn men's shorts under the passenger seat that I felt ill just thinking about it.

I assumed Claudine was just asking casually, but suddenly she was insistent on a response.

I said gently, "Nothing, I was just too childish before."

On the way, Claudine became hungry and pulled up in front of a restaurant that we both enjoyed.

"I want spaghetti. What do you want? Hamburger?"

I nodded while I continued to glance at my phone.

Claudine tried to talk to me numerous times, but when she saw I wasn't listening, she stopped talking.

The dishes were ready and Claudine took the initiative to bring them to me.

"Archie, I remember you don't like pickles, so I picked them out for you…"

Perhaps since we hadn't seen each other for days, Claudine's tone softened as she tried to get us closer through this meal talk. But I stared at the burger sans a pickle in front of me calmly. I cracked a grin. Even after six years of marriage, I would always top my hamburger with pickles and tomatoes.

Her childhood sweetheart, Edgar, was the one who disliked pickles.

When she noticed that I remained silent, she got up, went to the dining table and said to the boss, "Please add some pickles for him." Claudine's expression shifted somewhat as she ate spaghetti in shock and appeared to think of something.

"I'm sorry, Archie. Look," Claudine said to me, "I've been so busy lately that I forgot and I feel like my brain isn't functioning well. I forgot you ate pickles!"

I grinned as I looked at her pathetic acting.

On my way back after dining, I went by the junction where I was involved in a car accident. Despite the fact that it had been over six weeks, I still felt a dull aching in my chest when I was thinking about it.

After six years of marriage, I still wasn't as good as her childhood sweetheart, whom she hadn't seen in many years.

I messaged my lawyer friend, saying, "I'll buy you dinner another day and you help me draft a divorce agreement."

Claudine pulled the brakes as her body abruptly pushed forward a little, saying, "We're home."

To assist me with my bags, Claudine got out of the car on her own initiative.

I went upstairs and responded to the message.

The home should have been unoccupied, but as soon as I pulled open the door, I heard an eager footfall.

"Claudine, are you home?"

Unconsciously, Edgar, still in my pajamas, stood at the entrance and gave the person who entered a hug. His smile stopped when he realized it was me who had entered.

"Eh-Archie..."

His innocent look made me feel sick.

Before I could say anything, Claudine came forward to clarify.

"Archie, Edgar's rent has expired and he came to stay at home for a few days..."

This wasn't the first time it had happened. Edgar's presence caused us to argue more than once in the past. However, I felt more at ease now that I knew we were going to be divorced.

"You guys just do whatever you want."

I pushed the corner of my lips back, preparing to pass by him and return to the room, but I was outraged at what I saw in front of me. My belongings were flung out the door. My clothes and computer were stacked like rags at the entryway. Someone with a massive footprint appeared to have purposefully walked on even the suit I treasured the most. It appeared incredibly disorganized and filthy.

"What’s happening here?" I said, taking a long breath.

Edgar seemed alarmed when he saw my anger. "Claudine, I told you that Archie would not be pleased. What should I do? It's all my fault. Let me just move out..."

Claudine comforted him softly with her glances.

Claudine scowled at me and unconsciously shielded Edgar behind me.

"My beloved Archie, Edgar will be staying in the master bedroom. Your belongings have nowhere to be put. Just put them in this pile first.”

I laughed out of rage.

Treating me like a participant in the act was unnecessary.

Helplessly, I shook my head and gathered my belongings to carry to the main bedroom.

"He can’t stay there, he can go to the guest bedroom."

Claudine stopped me before I had taken two steps.

"Sundries are everywhere in the guest bedroom. Cleaning things up will take some time. Besides, he can only dwell in a well-lit room because of his bad health. Allow him to use your main bedroom for a few days first and you may sleep in the study for the next few days.”

I stared at the woman in front of me in shock at the matter-of-fact tone. Having been married to me for six years and having once knelt before my parents and vowed to love me forever, this person had constantly improved my memory.

The home included three bedrooms.

Two guest bedrooms and a master suite.

During the past two months since I began getting ready for IVF, Claudine took the initiative to relocate to the guest bedroom since she was worried that it might interfere with my sleep. The other room was filled with random objects and had been empty for a while.

I couldn't help but scowl as I glanced at the mound of personal stuff next to the entrance.

"You've got time to organize my belongings, but you don't have time to tidy the guest bedroom? Why did you bring someone home to reside in the guest bedroom, Claudine, when you knew it wasn't cleaned? He could live at a hotel, right? How could you allow your own spouse to sleep in the study?

Claudine stood behind Edgar like a guardian angel, keeping him safe.

She scowled when she saw my anger and said, "The hotel is unhygienic, Edgar has been weak since he was a child and he can't get used to sleeping in a strange place. Edgar has been raised with me since he was a little boy, Archie. You are aware of his weakness and illness. But don’t worry, he'll just be here for a few days. I know I've offended you lately; otherwise, you may sleep in the guest bedroom while I sleep in the study."

Claudine seemed grave, believing that her approach was the most rational and just one.

However, I didn't anticipate being so devastated by her.

I scoffed at Edgar, who appeared naive.

"You can become accustomed to sleeping in my bed, but you can't get used to staying at an unfamiliar hotel? I was surprised to learn how much Mr. Grant enjoyed stealing other people's belongings. I'll give it to you since you enjoy it."

I called the moving company and dumped everything down.

Edgar ripped a corner of my clothing to apologize while acting as though he had been mistreated.

"I’m sorry, Archie. When I moved in, I didn't think you would be so upset. It is all my fault. I'm going to move out now.” Edgar didn't mean to go when he stated this. He had a really irate face. "Claudine, please don't let me ruin your marriage to your spouse. I was naive this time and assumed he wouldn't mind because we were close friends. I'm to blame. You should coax Archie..."

Claudine's expression was troubled as she gazed at the thoughtful Edgar.

The more he lowered his posture, the more distressed Claudine was.

"You don't have to move out. It's just a master bedroom. I still have the last word.”

Claudine gave me a chilly look when she said that.

"I own this house, Archie and I get to decide who lives in it. Shouldn't Edgar be allowed to remain for a few more days? Why are you making such a fuss about something that isn't that important?"

I gave her a blank stare. She did purchase this house, but she neglected to mention that I had a home before this one.