Drawing a Cage for You

I spent three years winning the heart of Audrey Levingston, a woman everyone thought was untouchable. I gave up my entire career just to marry her and willingly became a stay-at-home husband. When she told me she was afraid of childbirth, I underwent a vasectomy the very next day. Everyone who knew us believed we would grow old together and love each other for the rest of our lives. But on our fifth wedding anniversary, I decided to file for divorce. My best friend and divorce attorney, Evan Chauncey, asked me again and again, “Are you sure? Back then, you turned down an offer from Vogue without hesitation just to marry her, and now, you’re telling me you want a divorce?” I swallowed the ache in my chest and replied, “Just draft the divorce agreement. The sooner, the better.” “Why?” he asked, clearly bewildered. My gaze fell on the exquisitely wrapped bouquet of black roses sitting on the dining table. After a long silence, I finally gave him my answer. “Because of a single bouquet.” Chapter 1 When I received the flowers that day, I had been genuinely happy. I thought Audrey Levingston had finally come around and prepared a wedding anniversary surprise for me. But the moment I opened the card tucked inside the bouquet, my smile froze. [Thank you, Audrey, for going out of your way to perform surgery on my aunt. My entire family is deeply grateful. I picked out these flowers especially for you because I think they represent “us” perfectly. I hope you like them. —Ryan Ludlow] My hand shook, and the bouquet slipped from my grasp and fell to the floor. Three years ago, Dad fell seriously ill. The doctor said he needed surgery immediately. However, the medical facilities in our hometown were limited, and Dad was too weak to survive a long transfer to another hospital. So, I begged Audrey to come home and perform the surgery herself. Her answer had been simple. “Our hospital doesn’t allow doctors to take outside cases. Work is work. I can’t break the rules because of a personal relationship.” In the end, Dad died in the ambulance during the transfer. It became the greatest regret of my life. As I laid Dad to rest, I specifically chose black roses. They symbolized everything I felt about him—the unpredictability of death and an enduring love. But it turned out that there had never been anything unpredictable about it at all… I had lost count of how many nights I woke from restless dreams. Each time, the memory of Dad’s graying hair as he lay dying left me quietly crying. I kept telling myself not to resent Audrey, since everyone had principles they were determined to uphold. It finally dawned on me that rules could be broken and principles set aside. It was just that I, Luke Gatlin, was never worth making an exception for. After ending my call with Evan, I stuffed the ribbons and balloons I had so carefully arranged into the trash. Then, I opened a search engine and typed in: Silver Peak Highway road trip guide. The images showed snow-capped mountains, endless grasslands, crystal-clear lakes, and a highway stretching all the way to the horizon. Dad and I had once promised each other that, while we still had the chance, we would drive the Silver Peak Highway together with our cameras in hand. After he passed away, Audrey tried to comfort me by promising that she would finish the journey Dad and I never got to complete. But that year, Audrey had just become an attending physician. She was so busy that she barely had time to eat. I could not bear watching Audrey suffer from stomach pain after constantly skipping meals while still reviewing patient records and writing research papers. So, I closed my photography studio and left my career behind to become Dr. Levingston’s husband. Despite winning a national photography award that year and receiving offers from several prestigious companies, with a promising future ahead of me, I still walked away from it all without looking back. Audrey eventually became the youngest chief of cardiothoracic surgery, earning widespread recognition throughout the medical field. I once believed that every sacrifice I made and everything I gave up for her had been worth it. Looking back, I realized just how painfully ironic it all had been… The sound of the door unlocking pulled me out of my thoughts. Audrey was home. She shrugged off her coat and glanced at the empty dining table, frowning. “Where’s dinner?” I kept my eyes fixed on the computer screen and did not look up. “I didn’t feel like making anything. I’m tired.” Her frown deepened. “More tired than me after a day at work?” Before I could reply, her phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID and answered it almost immediately. “What’s wrong?” A gentle male voice came from the other end of the line. The tension on Audrey’s face eased immediately. A faint smile even tugged at the corners of her lips. “Don’t worry. I’m on my way,” she said. The voices of her coworkers drifted through the phone. “Oh, Mr. Ludlow’s calling for backup again.” “Hurry up, Dr. Levingston. Mr. Ludlow can’t hold out much longer.” Laughter filled the background. The mood was light and playful, and everyone sounded like they were rooting for the two of them. I was her legally married husband, yet somehow, I felt like an outsider. After hanging up, Audrey slipped her coat back on. “Was that Ryan?” I asked. She froze for the briefest moment. “One of his patients took a turn for the worse, and I’m the only one he could call. Someone’s life is on the line, so don’t overthink it. With that, she turned and left. I watched her walk away. It reminded me of last week, when she had rushed out just as quickly, telling me she was leaving on a three-day business trip. Only then did I realize it had never been a business trip. She had traveled more than three hundred miles to perform surgery on Ryan’s aunt. “Audrey,” I called after her. She turned around. “What is it?” I looked into her eyes and asked softly, “Do you remember what today is?” Without hesitation, she answered, “June first?” I smiled. She really had forgotten. It was our fifth wedding anniversary. Thankfully, it would also be our last. “It’s nothing.” I looked away. “Have a good day at work.” Audrey studied me, as if she had sensed something was wrong. After a moment of silence, she forced some words out. “I’ll come back as soon as I’m done. Do you want me to pick up a late-night snack?” I shook my head. “No.” I would never need her to do so again. After Audrey left, I went alone to the restaurant I had booked a week earlier. The room sparkled with light. Couples sat together all around me, while I was the only one dining alone. “Sir, when will your guest be joining you?” the waiter asked. I smiled faintly. “She won’t be coming.” She never would again. I called the dealership after dinner. “I’d like to order an SUV. It needs to be capable of handling the Silver Peak Highway, and my budget is around eighty thousand dollars.” The sales manager said they had a model that fit my needs, but it was in such high demand that they were out of stock. It would take a week to bring one in. Seven days would be enough time for me to let go of the past and deal with the mess my marriage had become. “I’ll take it. I’ll pick it up in a week.” After ending the call, I opened my browser and continued searching for Silver Peak Highway road trip guides. As I scrolled through photo after photo, the dream I had put on hold for five years slowly came back to life. Not long after, Evan Chauncey called to tell me that the divorce agreement had been drafted and emailed to me. I murmured in acknowledgment. There was a long silence before he finally asked, “Luke, you loved her so much. Are you really able to let her go?” I asked him in return, “Have you ever seen Audrey set aside her principles and go all in for someone?” “No,” he admitted honestly. “I have.” I stared out at the vast darkness beyond the window, a bitter smile tugging at my lips. “But it just wasn’t for me.” Chapter 2 I had barely hung up when the restaurant manager’s voice drifted over from the entrance. “Dr. Levingston, your table is ready. Please come this way.” The moment I heard “Dr. Levingston,” I looked up on instinct. I immediately spotted Audrey, and Ryan was with her. The two of them entered side by side. Audrey had taken off her white coat. The sleeves of her white button-down shirt were rolled up to her forearms, and the weariness on her face was impossible to miss. Ryan turned toward her as they walked, saying something softly. Whatever it was, it brought a smile to Audrey’s face. The sight left a heavy ache in my chest. Whenever Audrey came home from work, I would pull her into conversation, eager to tell her every interesting thing that happened during my day. But she had always seemed uninterested. A smile was out of the question, and even a simple “mm-hmm” felt like she was humoring me. I kept making excuses for her. I told myself she was exhausted from work and simply did not have the energy to respond. Only then did I realize that even when she was tired, she could still smile. She just never smiled at me. “Luke?” Ryan was the first to spot me. He strode over with a perfectly measured smile. “What are you doing here all by yourself?” I did not respond, but he began explaining himself anyway. “There was a major accident today, and we had so many injured patients. Audrey and I have been working nonstop since this afternoon. We’ve just finished our last surgery, and we’re practically starving. “Audrey suddenly remembered that this place served your favorite pan-seared cod. She insisted on bringing me here, saying she’d pack some up for you after dinner.” When he finished, he turned to Audrey and smiled sweetly. “Audrey really loves you. She’s always thinking about you. “I’m honestly jealous. I wish I had someone who loved me this much.” She really loved me? Would someone who truly loved me forget our wedding anniversary? Would someone who truly loved me come to such a romantic place this late at night with another man? Would someone who truly loved me travel more than three hundred miles to perform surgery on someone else’s aunt, yet refuse to fight for Dad’s last chance at survival? I looked up at Ryan. My voice rang cold. “Whether she loves me or not has nothing to do with you.” Ryan’s smile faded, little by little, and he became visibly flustered. “I’m sorry… Did I say something wrong? I really only meant well…” His voice grew softer, and his eyes even turned misty. I had not said a single harsh word. Then, Audrey moved in front of Ryan, putting herself between us. That protective gesture made my eyes sting. “Luke, you know he didn’t mean anything by it. Why are you being so harsh with him?” Her voice was calm, but anger simmered beneath it. “There were so many injured patients today, and everyone was giving everything they had. As the nurse manager, he’s been working all day without even having time to eat. Don’t be unreasonable.” The people around us immediately started taking their side. “Doctors and nurses really do have it tough…” “She just finished surgery and is still thinking about bringing her husband dinner. What more do you want from her?” “Some men are way too controlling. That kind of toxic masculinity is honestly scary.” Fine. They were all the good ones. I was the only villain. I did not want to argue any longer, so I turned and walked away. But as I passed Audrey, she reached out and grabbed my wrist. The familiar warmth of her touch made me hesitate for just a second. Then, her voice cut through it. “Apologize to Ryan first.” For a moment, I thought I had misheard her. “Excuse me?” “You embarrassed him in public. Apologize.” I looked at Ryan. He stood behind Audrey with reddened eyes, looking as helpless as a startled fawn. Audrey remained between us. She stared at me like I was the enemy. I chuckled. “Tell me, Audrey. What exactly was wrong with what I said? What happens between a husband and wife has nothing to do with him. He’s just a coworker.” I put extra emphasis on the words “just a coworker”. Audrey spluttered. For once, she had no answer. I pulled my hand free and walked out of the restaurant without looking back. The cold night air washed over me, carrying away the resentment I had been holding inside. I finally realized that the moment I took that step, nothing could keep me trapped anymore. When I returned home, I printed out the divorce agreement. By next Saturday, our marriage would be over. Chapter 3 I stayed up all night and silently packed my things. Keeping myself busy was the only way I could ignore the hollow ache in my chest. Just before sunrise, I dug out my old photography equipment from the storage room. It had been untouched for years and had gathered dust. I pressed the power button, and the screen flickered to life. My eyes suddenly burned. Thankfully, it still worked. I was not too late. I was carrying the camera back into the living room when my phone rang. It was the real estate agent. “Mr. Gatlin, regarding the house you and your wife toured last week, I’ve already spoken with the owner. If there are no issues, you can sign the contract next weekend.” I froze. I had almost forgotten about it. Not long ago, Audrey had been promoted and received a raise. She said our current place was too small and that we should move somewhere bigger. It had been her idea. But from beginning to end, I handled everything: touring houses, choosing a place, contacting agents, comparing layouts, and working out the mortgage. She only came with me once. That day, I had excitedly shown her what would become our bedroom and asked what kind of design she liked. Without even looking up from her phone, she had casually said, “Looks good. You decide.” I caught a clear glimpse of her screen. She was messaging Ryan on WhatsApp. Before we had even finished the house tour, Ryan called, and she left. Thinking back on it, I calmly said to the agent, “Forget about the house. I don’t want it anymore.” “What? But why? Mrs. Gatlin seemed pretty happy with it.” I looked at the camera in my hands and gave a quiet laugh. “Because we’re getting divorced.” The line went completely silent. I ended the call. By the time I finished packing, it was already midday. I took the divorce agreement with me and drove to the hospital. Five years of marriage were brought to an end by a few thin sheets of paper. They felt almost laughably light in my hand. It was lunchtime. I figured Audrey would be in her office, so I went straight there and knocked. Instead, Ryan opened the door. A flicker of surprise crossed his face. “Luke?” I glanced past him, looking for Audrey. He shifted sideways to block my view and lowered his voice. “Audrey had a rough night. She spent the whole morning seeing patients, and she just fell asleep. What do you need?” I studied him. His hair was tousled, his clothes were a little wrinkled, and Audrey’s office stood behind him. A wave of nausea churned in my stomach. I tightened my grip on the folder and forced myself to look away. “I need her to sign something.” Ryan glanced down at the folder in my hand and smiled. “Audrey’s exhausted. She finally managed to get some rest, so I’d rather not wake her. Just give it to me, and I’ll pass it along when she wakes up.” I was about to refuse, but then I thought better of it. The last thing I wanted was to see Audrey again, even for a second. So, I handed the folder over and said, “Thanks. I’ll leave it to you.” Then, I turned and walked away. The scene from moments ago kept replaying in my mind. Ryan was in her office, taking a lunch break with her. He had been so at ease and familiar that it seemed like the most natural thing in the world. The nausea in my stomach only got worse. I rushed into the restroom and dry heaved over the sink for a long time, but nothing came up. I splashed my face with cold water. Just as I stepped out, a sharp, cramping pain suddenly tore through my abdomen. My vision went black, and I collapsed. I woke to the smell of disinfectant. A nurse noticed I was awake and let out a sigh of relief. “Sir, you’re finally awake.” I pushed myself upright, my head still spinning. “What happened?” The nurse handed me the test results, her expression grave. “Sir, the results are in. You have a post-vasectomy infection. You’re still so young. Why did you decide to get one?” Chapter 4 My fingers tightened around the report until my knuckles went white. Why did I get a vasectomy? I gave a bitter, humorless laugh. Who else would I have done it for? Audrey, of course. She was deeply devoted to her career and terrified of the pain of childbirth. She often said that having a baby would take away the life she had worked so hard to build, so she insisted that we would never have children. I could not bear to put her through that, so even though I loved children, I agreed. Throughout our marriage, we always used protection. Then, some time ago, she came across an online story about a child-free couple. The husband regretted the decision in middle age, but by then, his wife could no longer conceive. He ended up cheating on her and having a child with another woman. Audrey told me she was afraid I would do the same. To put her mind at ease, I ignored my family and friends’ objections and got a vasectomy the very next day. I had planned to tell her on our fifth wedding anniversary, so she would never have to worry about it again. I never imagined not even getting that opportunity. Fortunately, the nurse told me that since my vasectomy had been fairly recent, my vas deferens was still in good condition. A reversal procedure should restore my fertility. I was still pondering over it when the door suddenly swung open. Audrey entered the hospital room, holding the folder I had asked Ryan to pass along at noon. She did not look pleased. The next moment, she tossed it at me. She frowned. “I’ve signed the documents. Buying a house is a personal matter. Don’t bring things like this to the hospital again. What would Ryan think if he saw it?” I almost laughed. She thought that it had been the paperwork for the new house. She had signed them without even bothering to read them. Good. That saved me from having to argue with her. I put the divorce agreement back into my bag. Strangely, the weight I had been carrying inside finally lifted. When I remained silent, Audrey’s expression softened slightly. “Get some rest. I still have work to do, so I’ll head out.” I looked at her and could not help asking softly, “Audrey, aren’t you even a little curious why I’m lying here?” She paused for a moment before answering indifferently, “Isn’t it just your stomach problem? It’s the same old issue. Get some rest and go home once you’re better. Don’t take up a bed someone else needs.” I stared at her blankly, my heart tightening painfully as if something had clenched around it. I did have a stomach problem. Back then, she always carried my medication in her pocket. Whenever I felt unwell, she would bring me water and make sure I took it. But somewhere along the way, my medicine quietly disappeared from her pockets. Last week, while washing her white coat, I found a man’s cufflinks tucked inside. They were silver-gray, with initials engraved on it. I had seen it on Ryan’s cuff before. Forget it. I was too tired to summon the strength to question her. I looked at Audrey. Before I could tell her about the surgery, the door burst open. “Dr. Levingston!” A young doctor rushed in. Panic was written all over his face. “The patient in Bed 32 is deteriorating. The family is causing a scene, and they’re trying to attack Mr. Ludlow. Please come quickly!” Audrey’s expression changed. She turned and left without a moment’s hesitation. She did not even spare me a glance. Her entire focus was on Ryan. As I watched her anxious figure disappear through the doorway, the last bit of attachment I still had vanished completely. Why should I sacrifice my chances of having children for someone like her? I closed my eyes and made up my mind. Then, I pressed the call button. When the nurse on duty came in, I clutched the report and said slowly, “Please arrange a vasectomy reversal for me now. The sooner, the better.” Chapter 5 The surgery was scheduled for the next morning, so I went home. The flowers on the balcony looked especially beautiful in the evening light. There were gardenias, roses, succulents, and hydrangeas. I had nurtured every single one of them over the years. Audrey was always too busy to spend time with me, so I found solace in caring for my plants. Once I left, no one would be left to tend to them. It would be a shame to let them wither. I snapped a picture and posted it to the neighborhood group. The caption read: I’m moving. Free plants. First come, first served. My neighbors were more than happy to help. Within half an hour, most of the balcony was cleared. After giving away the last pot of hydrangeas, I stood alone on the empty balcony. Somehow, letting go was easier than I had imagined. I turned and went into the walk-in closet. Inside the glass cabinet were rows of watches, most of them gifts from Audrey. I used to be overjoyed whenever she gave me one. As I looked at them again, I could only think of the indifference on her face whenever she gave them to me, and how she had even gifted me the same style twice. It was almost laughable. The Audrey I loved had only ever existed in my imagination. Once the illusion shattered, I realized it had never been worth all I had given. I photographed the watches and listed them on a resale platform. Seven or eight of them sold in a single night. The once-full cabinet was suddenly half empty, just like my heart. At 10 p.m., I heard the sound of the lock turning at the door. Audrey was back. Her forehead was scraped, her face was bruised, and her right arm was wrapped in a thick bandage. Ryan was helping her inside. His eyes were red, like he had just been crying. “Luke, the patient’s family caused a scene today. Audrey got hurt because she stepped in to protect me. Please take good care of her.” I glanced at him and said calmly, “Stay and look after her yourself if you’re so worried.” Ryan’s face immediately flushed. He stammered, “Luke, that’s not what I meant… Audrey and I are just coworkers…” Audrey’s expression immediately darkened. “Luke, would you stop taking jabs at him?” “What did I say?” I asked, confused. “Ryan kindly brought me home. Why are you being sarcastic?” She slammed the car keys onto the table, disappointment filling her eyes as she looked at me. Ryan quickly forced a smile, though his eyes grew red with tears again. “Audrey, don’t blame Luke. It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have brought you home. I’ll leave now.” With that, he turned and ran out. Audrey did not hesitate for even a second before chasing after him. The front door slammed shut behind her. An hour later, she returned, her expression even darker than before. She did not notice anything different about me, much less the empty balcony or the half-empty watch cabinet. She only had one question. “Are you happy now?” I did not bother looking up. “Happy about what?” “Ryan cried the whole way home. He hasn’t done anything wrong. Why do you keep picking on him?” I kept packing my things. I had long since gotten used to it. In her eyes, Ryan was always the victim, and I was the villain. I packed away the last watch, then got to my feet. Arguing felt pointless, so I headed for the bedroom. “Stop.” Audrey’s voice turned cold. “You didn’t make dinner again?” I stopped in my tracks. “There are ravioli and pasta in the fridge. If you really can’t manage, order takeout.” Audrey lifted her bandaged arm, her expression hardening. “I’m injured.” I turned back to her with the faintest smile. “You didn’t get hurt because of me. Why should I be the one repaying someone else’s favor?” Audrey’s face turned livid. After a long silence, she gave a cold laugh. “Fine. Luke, you’ve really outdone yourself.” She marched into the study and slammed the door hard enough to rattle the walls. I did not so much as glance up. My surgery was the next day, so I had no interest in arguing with her. I fell asleep almost as soon as I got into bed. It was the soundest sleep I had had since deciding to get divorced. Early the next morning, Evan came to pick me up. “Are you really sure about this? You’re not staying childfree anymore?” I looked down at my empty wrist. After a brief silence, I nodded. “I’m sure.” Back then, my entire world had revolved around Audrey. I had been willing to give up my career for her, and even my chances to have children. But in the end, none of it was worth it. So, I was going to live a different life. After the paperwork was completed, I was wheeled into the operating room. The surgeon was verifying my information, and the anesthesiologist was standing by. Just then, a familiar figure walked in. The instant our eyes met, a chill ran down my spine. It was Ryan. He stood beside the surgeon, dressed in sterile surgical attire with a mask covering his face. When he noticed me looking at him, he did not seem surprised at all. Instead, a clear trace of amusement flickered in his eyes. Chapter 6 The moment I realized it was Ryan, my entire body went rigid. “I’d like to request for a different assistant.” I tried to sit, but the surgeon held me down. “Stop making a fuss. Mr. Ludlow is the best nurse in our department. People would fight to have him assist with their surgeries, and he came here for you personally. You should consider yourself lucky.” I tried to speak again, but the anesthesiologist had already stepped forward. “Relax. You’ll be asleep before you know it.” The cold liquid entered my veins, and my consciousness began to fade. The last thing I saw before everything went dark was Ryan standing beneath the surgical lights, staring at me coldly. I had no idea how long I had been unconscious before the pain jolted me awake. My lower abdomen felt as if a dull blade was twisting inside it over and over. Every breath pulled at the incision. I opened my eyes to find the hospital room empty except for Ryan, who was recording my postoperative notes. “I don’t feel well…” Ryan came over, took one look at me, and said calmly, “That’s normal after surgery. Just get some rest.” He lowered his head and went back to his notes. But the cramping pain in my lower abdomen kept getting worse. Even breathing became a struggle, and the monitor suddenly began blaring an alarm. I struggled to raise my hand. “Nurse…” Ryan looked up, his brows drawing together slightly. “Stay calm. You’re just weak after surgery. We’ll monitor you for a while.” With that, he turned and left. My vision blurred as my consciousness slowly slipped away. Then, through the haze, someone burst into the room. “Luke!” It was Evan. I could no longer speak. I could only grab his hand. He looked down at the bedsheet and immediately yelled, “Doctor! Call a doctor! He’s bleeding after surgery!” The room erupted into chaos. “His blood pressure is dropping!” “Stop the bleeding!” “Prepare for a transfusion!” The sound of hurried footsteps and the clatter of medical equipment filled my ears. Everything went black. When I woke up, it was already evening, and I was alone in the room. I heard a heated argument outside the door. “Is this what you call ‘handling it properly’?” It was Evan’s voice. I had never heard him so furious before. “He suffered severe bleeding after surgery! If I hadn’t discovered it in time, he would be dead right now! Is this how your hospital takes care of its patients?” After a brief silence, Ryan’s tearful voice rang out. “I’m sorry. I really thought it was a normal reaction. I’ve seen many patients react the same way before… I didn’t mean for this to happen.” Evan’s voice shook with anger. “You didn’t mean for it to happen? Is that supposed to make it okay? He almost died!” Just then, a familiar voice cut in. “That’s enough.” My breath caught. It was Audrey. “Audrey…” Ryan sounded as if he had finally found someone on his side, his voice thick with tears. “I really didn’t mean for this to happen…” Audrey soothed him softly, “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it.” Evan let out a humorless laugh. “Take care of it? How exactly do you plan to do that? He almost killed him!” Audrey’s tone grew firm. “Mr. Ludlow is one of the finest nurses in this hospital. He has never once made a serious mistake. He monitored the patient according to standard protocol, and there’s no evidence of his negligence. I trust his professional judgment.” Evan’s voice cracked with disbelief. “Audrey, do you even know who is lying in that room?” Audrey fell silent for a moment before replying, her voice as calm as ever. “You’re Luke’s friend, but I won’t show favoritism just because you know the patient.” She thought Evan was standing up for someone in his own family. Evan drew ragged breaths and was too angry to speak. Audrey had already walked away with Ryan, standing firmly by his side. Their footsteps gradually faded into the distance. Then, I heard another round of whispers. “Dr. Levingston is so protective of Mr. Ludlow. She had his back the entire time.” “If I were Mr. Ludlow, I’d marry her in a heartbeat.” “They really are perfect together. They are the best doctor and the best nurse in the hospital. I’m so envious.” Every word felt like another nail driven into my chest. The hospital room door opened, and Evan entered with red-rimmed eyes. The moment he saw I was awake, he rushed over and covered my ears. “Don’t listen. It’s all nonsense.” I pulled his hand away and managed a faint smile. “It’s fine.” After coming so close to death, what else could I possibly be unable to let go of? As soon as I finished speaking, my phone rang. The caller ID showed Audrey’s name. Evan’s expression darkened. “She still has the nerve to call?” I calmly picked up. Audrey’s displeased voice came through the phone. “Luke, where did you go?” Chapter 7 “Where would I go?” I asked calmly. “The gas company came by for an inspection today,” Audrey said coldly. “No one answered the door, so they called me. Why weren’t you home?” So, that was it. I thought she had finally noticed something wrong with me. I let out a quiet laugh and mocked myself for still having such unrealistic expectations. “Why must I be home?” I asked. “Am I not allowed to go out? Am I not allowed to have a life of my own? Can’t I even take a trip?” Audrey’s tone grew heavier. “Luke, what’s gotten into you lately? You stopped cooking, you barely come home, and you keep giving me attitude. Now, you’ve even run off traveling alone. Have you lost your mind?” I looked out at the evening sky, my voice barely a whisper. “I haven’t. I just finally saw things clearly.” The other end of the line went silent. After a long pause, Audrey let out a cold laugh. “Fine. Keep this up. Since you’re not coming home, I won’t either. Let’s see who can hold out longer.” With that, the call ended. Evan nearly flung his own phone. “What’s wrong with her? She runs a whole department. All she had to do was ask around to find out you were admitted. She doesn’t care about you at all!” His eyes grew misty as he spoke. He reached out and hugged me. “Luke, if you need to cry, let it all out. Don’t keep it bottled up.” I rested my head on his shoulder and stayed silent for a long time before slowly shaking my head. “I can’t bring myself to cry anymore.” A man’s tears were not shed lightly. To cry over someone undeserving would be beneath me. Three days later, I had mostly recovered and was discharged. I went home to collect my things. When I opened the door, I stopped short. Audrey was home. Our eyes met, and the air between us went still for a few seconds. She broke the silence first. “You’re back. Where have you been?” I ignored the question and went straight to the bedroom, opening the cabinet to check for my documents. Behind me, her voice sounded again. “Haven’t you always wanted to drive the Silver Peak Highway? Now that the house is settled, we should probably get a new car too. Let’s go and look at cars tomorrow. When I’m off next time, I’ll go with you.” I paused. Once, hearing those words would have kept me awake all night with happiness. But they had come too late. “No need.” Audrey frowned. “Why?” She had no idea that I had already bought the new car, and that the road ahead of me no longer reserved a place for her. “No particular reason,” I replied. When Audrey realized I would not budge, her patience finally wore thin. “Ryan kept telling me to be nicer to you, and this is how you treat me?” I let out a sarcastic chuckle. “So, you do whatever he says? If he told you to jump off a cliff, would you do that too?” Audrey’s face turned livid. “Luke, why are you talking like this now?” I kept my head down and continued organizing my documents, not sparing her a glance. Audrey stood there, breathing heavily. After a long pause, she gave a cold scoff. “Fine. Looks like we both need time to cool off. I’ll stay at the hospital for the next couple of days. Take some time to reflect on yourself.” She grabbed her coat and left, slamming the door behind her. I never once looked up. It was not until the door closed again that I slowly walked over to the bedside. I pulled three documents out of my bag. The first was the signed divorce agreement, the second was my vasectomy consent form, and the third was the record of my reversal surgery from a few days ago. I placed them neatly on the bedside table, then picked up my luggage and left. Every corner of this house was filled with Audrey’s presence. I could not stay there for another moment. I spent my last night in Avelhurst at a hotel. Early the next morning, I went to the dealership. The sales consultant greeted me with a warm smile. “Mr. Gatlin, your car is ready.” Just as I was about to sign the paperwork, I heard a familiar voice. “What do you think of this one?” I turned to see Audrey standing nearby, beside an SUV. Ryan stood next to her, studying the features with his head lowered. Whatever he said made them both burst out laughing. They were perfectly in sync, like a couple who had been together for years. The sales consultant beamed. “You two have great taste. This model is perfect for couples who enjoy road trips. Many young married couples choose it. Why don’t you take it for a test drive?” Audrey did not attempt to correct the misunderstanding. She simply got into the driver’s seat. Ryan’s cheeks flushed, but he still silently slid into the passenger seat beside her. Moments later, they drove off in the test-drive vehicle. The salespeople started whispering among themselves. “Those two really make a gorgeous couple.” “I heard they graduated from the same school, and now they even work at the same hospital. It’s like their campus romance became a reality!” “A strong, capable woman with a sweet, supportive guy. I’m obsessed with this pairing!” I listened quietly, surprised by how little it bothered me. “Mr. Gatlin?” The sales manager’s gentle voice pulled me back from my thoughts. Without hesitation, I signed the paperwork. After swiping my card and taking the keys, I walked over to my new car. I started the engine, shifted into gear, and drove away. In the rearview mirror, Audrey’s SUV headed off in the opposite direction. I did not look back. Ahead of me lay a brand-new life. After five years, I was finally myself again.