Just as I finally drifted off, the lights in my room flipped on. The sudden brightness made it hard for me to open my eyes. "Why is the house such a mess? You're home all day; can't you clean up?" I remembered the pile of dirty dishes from my ginger soup, but I felt awful all over, too weak to move.

Daniel thought I was just sulking. "It's just a bracelet; how long are you going to stay mad? I can buy you a new one!" He'd completely forgotten our plans for today. He thought I was still upset about him giving my borrowed bracelet to Ada.

I sighed, "I'm tired and not feeling well; I want to sleep." His irritation flared at my indifference, and he turned to the guest room. I mustered the strength to switch off the light and fell into a deep sleep until noon.

When I woke up, Daniel had sent me a message. "I was too busy yesterday to check my phone. Let's go out for dinner tonight. Dress nicely." Normally, I'd have been thrilled, and excited to get ready, but now, I didn't even want to put on lipstick.

When the time came, I still didn't see Daniel. Instead of an explanation, he sent me a location. When I arrived, I caught a hint of disdain in his eyes. "Why did you come dressed like this? Today's client is important."

In the past, Daniel didn't want me interfering with his work; he preferred I stayed home, handling the household and taking care of him. I thought this dinner might be his way of apologizing, but it turned out the client called out to me first.

"Mia? Long time no see! You look so much thinner. How have you been?" It was Christopher, one of Daniel's important clients and someone I had worked with when I first started my career.

I forced a wry smile. No wonder Daniel had invited me; I thought I'd be the focus, but clearly, I wasn't.

We chatted briefly, and Christopher expressed his disappointment about my resignation. Meanwhile, Daniel had already ordered a feast of spicy dishes.

"You don't usually eat spicy food, right? Should I help you pick something else?" Christopher glanced my way.

Daniel looked surprised.

I chuckled lightly. "I'm just trying to shed some pounds."

I'd known Daniel for ten years—through high school, our first love, and now marriage. I had gone from being his shining star to just his everyday meal.

I remembered everything about him, but he seemed oblivious to my presence. It wasn't entirely his fault; after we got married, I'd been living according to his expectations, like a shadow.

The mood became awkward, and just when it felt like it couldn't get any worse, a striking figure appeared. "Daniel! Is that really you? What a surprise!"

Daniel's eyes flashed with surprise as he pulled Ada aside and spoke quietly. "Didn't we already hang out yesterday?"

Ada dismissed him with a wave and confidently sat down across from him. "This is fate! Look, you ordered all my favorite dishes. You don't mind if I join, do you?"

Yesterday, Daniel had skipped out on coming home because he was out with Ada enjoying the snow. Today, he was missing our shopping plans. I was the unchanging grain of rice, while Ada, a new hire and his former classmate, sparkled like a vibrant red rose.

Daniel's gaze flickered to me, clearly worried I might blow up as I had before. But instead, I simply raised my hand to call the waiter for another set of utensils.

"Daniel used to take me to meet clients all the time," Ada said, glancing my way. "Shopping isn't enough; you've got to help me peel shrimp too."

Daniel had a thing about cleanliness; he hated greasy foods and didn't even like anyone touching his stuff. That's why we never hired a maid—every chore was on me.

But judging by Ada's casual demeanor, it seemed Daniel had no problem peeling shrimp for her.

After a few awkward moments, Christopher made an excuse to wrap up the dinner. Once he left, Daniel went straight to his car, taking Ada home.

I took a cab back, and once I was home, I made myself a bowl of noodles.

When Daniel returned, I had already eaten half. He frowned. "I told you I don't like cilantro. Don't let that smell linger in the house."

"Daniel, do you even remember what I like? You know every dish Ada enjoys, but what about me?"

His annoyance was evident as he rubbed his nose. "Can you stop being so unreasonable? I'm drained from work. How can I remember every little thing? And it's your fault we didn't land that client today. Mia, when are you going to be more considerate?"

Every time we fought, Daniel pushed the blame onto me. In the past, I would have felt guilty and bent over backward to appease him until he calmed down.

But now, the love that once clouded my judgment was gone. I saw the man in front of me wasn't as perfect as I had once thought; my love had merely cast a glow over him.

I finished my noodles in silence and went to wash up. A loud crash echoed from the living room, but I didn't check. Instead, I moved to the guest room to sleep.

The next morning, to my surprise, Daniel had made oatmeal.

"Mia, I might have been too busy with work lately and overlooked you, but you have to understand that I'm working hard for our home!"

This was about as close to an apology as Daniel would get.

But I didn't want to accept it. "I've never liked oatmeal."

With a dark look, he dumped the oatmeal down the sink and left without another word.