By the time I finished all the rigmarole at the hospital and got home, it was already the next afternoon. Percival hadn't called me once.

It wasn't until evening, after I'd cooked some instant noodles, that he returned with a thermal food container.

"Why didn't you cook today?" he asked, looking at me for a long moment before remembering I'd been to the hospital. "Are you feeling better?"

I gave a noncommittal sound and pushed the freshly cooked instant noodles towards him. "I added an egg. Will you take some to Willow?"

In the past, I would have raised a ruckus, demanding to know why he would forget about me because of Willow. But now, my calmness seemed to unsettle Percival.

"Instant noodles aren't good. I'll make you a bowl of chicken noodle soup," he offered, unusually considerate.

"No need. You should hurry and take the food to Willow," I replied.

Percival felt I was speaking in contradictions. "Violet, I thought you finally matured," he sneered. "Turns out you're still petty. Willow is my junior. She's alone and destitute in this city. Am I wrong to take care of her?"

Back then, when my mom was sick, Percival had said similar things. "Violet used to be alone and struggling in this city. But now that she has me, I'll take good care of her and never leave her alone."

Percival's phone interrupted my thoughts. "Percival, it's really bothering Violet for you to bring me food," Willow's voice came through the speaker.

Percival glanced at me. "It's fine. Violet even mentioned coming with me to see you."

After hanging up, Percival took my hand. Staring at our hands entwined together, I felt a moment of dizziness.

"Violet, look how understanding Willow is. As her sister-in-law, you shouldn’t be jealous, alright?"

Indeed, Willow was very understanding. She posted intimate photos of the two of them on Instagram every day to thank Percival for his "care."

At the hospital room door, Percival finally let go of my hand. "Violet, I'm heading to the nurse's station. You go on in."

The moment Willow saw me, the joy in her eyes vanished. "Violet, why are you here?"

"I brought you food," I said, placing the container on the table and preparing to sit down.

But Willow stood up and walked over to me. "Violet, I'm really glad to see you." She hugged me, the sudden intimacy nauseating. As I raised a hand to push her away, she fell to the ground.

She covered her face, her eyes reddened as she looked at me. "Violet, it's all my fault. Please don't be angry. I promise not to see Percival again from now on, okay?"

"You..."

Before I could finish, Percival rushed in and shoved me to the ground. He helped Willow up tenderly, glaring at me with fury. "Violet, don't be so cruel!"

Willow teared up, turning to Percival. "Percival, I really didn't send those messages to Violet. You must believe me."

"What messages?!" Percival and I said simultaneously.

Without a word, Percival pulled my phone from my pocket. Willow's phone also dropped out.

"Violet Harlow, even if you have Percival, his heart belongs to me."

"Even if you marry Percival, you're still the unlovable third wheel!"

"Percival, I didn't send those messages, really," Willow choked out, taking a step back. "Violet said she needed to borrow my phone. I didn’t expect her to do this..."

"Smack!"

Percival slapped me hard. Pointing to the door, he shouted, "Get out! We’re getting divorced tomorrow!"

The water in the bathtub engulfed my head until the phone rang, and I struggled to wake from the suffocation.

“Violet, what’s going on between you and Percival?”

Nathan's tone was off.

“I...”

Before I could comprehend why she suddenly asked about me and Percival, she spilled the beans like she couldn’t hold it in any longer.

“Why do I see Percival’s wedding photos with another woman here? Weren’t you guys married?"

A few days after Percival and I got our marriage certificate, I saw their wedding photos near home.

When I had earlier suggested taking wedding photos to Percival, he always claimed to be too busy.

Seeing the photo had me shaking with rage.

When I found Percival, Willow was right beside him.

Upon mentioning the wedding photos, Willow immediately blinked and asked if they looked good.

“When Percival and I passed by the shop, they were hosting an event and insisted on taking a photo of us to use them as advertisement.

"Percival initially didn't want to, but then he thought I had never worn a wedding dress, so he agreed.

"Violet, how do you think the photos turned out? Do they look good?”

I shoved Willow aside. “Percival Slater, as your wife, you haven't even taken wedding photos with me, but you did with her? Do you think that's appropriate?”

“Violet Harlow, look at yourself now, acting like a shrew!”

Percival supported the swaying Willow and pointed at me, scolding, “We're already married. What more do you want? It's just a wedding photo, why do you elevate a trivial matter to the level of a major principle or policy issue?”

After saying that, Percival left with Willow without looking back at me, even shoving me as he walked past.

Recalling all this, I couldn't help but take a deep breath.

“Violet, if you’re not feeling well, the class reunion...”

“Nathan, don't worry, I will attend.”

Just as Nathan’s call ended, I heard Percival enter the house.

He lay on the sofa, reeking of alcohol, muttering my name.

“Violet.”

I had barely approached when he pulled me into his arms.

He nuzzled me, his hand gently caressed my face.

“Violet, did I hurt you?”

The words barely left his mouth when I noticed the red lipstick stain on his clothes.

“Violet, don’t get the wrong idea, Willow had too much to drink and accidentally rubbed against me.”

“I’m not misunderstanding.”

I poured a cup of hot water and handed it to him. “Drink this and sleep early.”

“Violet...”

Percival yanked me back into his arms, his hands roamed over me, his drunken breath on my face made me feel nauseous.

I abruptly pushed him away and stood up. “You’re drunk, you should rest.”

“Violet Harlow!”

My words meant to help Percival, yet they angered him.

He slammed the water cup on the table to the ground.

“I’ve already admitted my mistake, what more do you want!”

The shards of broken glass cut my hand.

I didn’t understand, even though Percival broke the glass, why was I the one walking over it.

“Percival, I agree to the divorce.”

Percival hadn’t been home lately, nor had he contacted me.

I saw him again at the class reunion.

He was nearby, Willow intimately holding his arm.

“Violet, I didn’t expect you to be so generous after getting married.”