Nina let out a short, dismissive hum. "Darren, you never put your mind to work, but when it comes to gossip like this, you’re suddenly very proactive. But don’t think I’ll forgive you just because of that.

"You threw a tantrum and froze the bank card, making me lose face in front of our partners. In the end, it was Zach running around borrowing money from people to settle the bill."

I stayed silent for a long time.

Nina thought, like always, that I was reflecting on my mistakes. Her tone softened a little. "I can forgive you, but before that, we need to give Zach proper compensation.

"The place he’s living in right now is under renovation. It’s not livable for the moment. Clear out this bedroom and let him stay here for a while, and I’ll stop holding this against you."

I shook my head. "But I already sold this apartment."

"Sold it?" Nina’s eyes widened.

Before she could say anything else, Zach jumped in. "Darren, are you planning to sell this place and buy a bigger one to make it up to Nina?"

Nina seemed to find that reasonable. Her face lit up with delight. "That actually makes sense. We’ve lived here for quite a while. It is about time we got a bigger place. When that happens, I’ll pay part of it with you. For now, don’t sell this apartment. Zach can use it."

"That’s too much. I’d feel bad. I’ll pay the rent at market rate," Zach said.

"What rent?" Nina’s expression darkened. "I’m your boss. How could I make you pay rent?"

"That wouldn’t be right. No, I have to pay something."

"Then just a few hundred a month."

The two of them chimed back and forth, completely in sync.

Nina seemed unconcerned about the rent. This apartment was in the city center. Market rent was close to ten grand a month. Of course, she could act like it was no big deal. However, when we were dating, she calculated every little expense for meals and movies down to the last cent.

The difference between loving someone and not loving them really was like night and day.

"So? If you agree, I can still reconsider the divorce."

"No need to reconsider..."

"How could I just forgive you that easily? If I don’t teach you a lesson, what if you go back to your bad habits?" Nina cut me off, convinced I was trying to get her to drop the idea of divorce again.

Zach chuckled from the side. "You're right, Nina. But for my sake, just forgive Darren, okay? And come on, you and Darren have been married so many years. Getting divorced now would be such a pity."

Nina put on a show of thinking it over.

Zach went all in, blowing air into her ear.

Nina told him to stop fooling around, but her face was already blooming with smiles. "Fine."

She finally turned to look at me, satisfied. "Since Zach is speaking up for you, I’ll forgive you this time. You should really thank him. After the way you’ve treated him, he still doesn’t hold a grudge and is willing to speak on your behalf.

"Alright then, about the divorce this time..."

"You’re misunderstanding." I cut her off calmly and held the copy of the divorce agreement out in front of her. "I've been trying to tell you—we’re already divorced."