Chapter 3
“No need. I already ate outside.”
“How is that possible? Aren’t you always reluctant to spend money?”
His words stung. I used to be reluctant to spend money, living frugally and spending most of my part-time earnings to buy him things.
Now that I was going to university, there would be plenty of expenses, so every penny needed careful planning.
I looked up at him, my tone calm as I said, “I remember a few days ago, I gave you the money to buy wedding supplies. You didn’t seem to buy anything. Give me the money back.”
He froze, then awkwardly explained, “That money… Well, I already bought leather shoes for Viv with it.”
I could not help but curl my lip. How predictable. It was the same old story.
“Well, if there’s nothing else, I’m closing the door. I want to sleep.”
“I’ll give you the money tomorrow.” His tone carried some irritation. “We’re husband and wife. Do you really need to be so petty?”
I could not help but snort coldly. “So after you use my hard-earned savings to buy things for someone else, I’m not even allowed to be annoyed?”
Knowing he was in the wrong, he still muttered stubbornly, “You’re so unreasonable.”
I could not be bothered to argue further and slammed the door shut.
Over the next few days, I sold off some worthless possessions—mementos from my previous life that once held meaning. Now they seemed like nothing but cheap junk.
I packed them all up and sold them to a scrap dealer for a pittance.
That afternoon, while continuing to pack, Sebastian appeared before me holding some money.
He stiffly said, “Here’s your money.”
I took the money and nodded. “Thanks.”
He looked at me with mixed emotions, his gaze falling on my packed luggage. “I’m planning to have Viv come with me to the capital. You don’t need to pack.”
I did not stop packing and simply nodded. He seemed unaccustomed to this attitude from me, appearing somewhat uneasy.
“What’s wrong with you lately? You’re like a completely different person.”
I turned around impatiently. I did not want any complications.
Although Sebastian did not love me, if he discovered that Vivian’s name was on the marriage license, he might very well divorce her and marry me for her sake. I wanted no further entanglement with this despicable pair.
“Nothing. I just want to organize my things so I can move back to the countryside after you go to the capital.”
He breathed a sigh of relief and explained, “It’s not that I don’t want you to tag along. It’s just that Viv has never seen the capital and wants to visit. I’ll bring you there in a few months.”
I nodded absentmindedly. In my previous life, he never sent for me for eight whole years. Only after Vivian married a high-ranking general’s son from the capital did he bring me there in despair.
He watched me with unease. Usually, I would talk his ear off about everything and anything when we were alone. Now that I was barely speaking, he seemed on edge.
“Didn’t you always want to take wedding photos? Let’s go to the photo studio tomorrow.”
That would not work for me as I planned to buy university supplies tomorrow. Just as I was about to make an excuse, Vivian walked in and affectionately hugged Sebastian’s arm.
“Seb, what photo studio? I want to take pictures too.”
Sebastian smiled and patted Vivian’s head. “Sure, we’ll all go together tomorrow.”