After My Groom Adopted Her Child, I Vanished

While preparing dinner, he finally returned home, completely worn out.

I noticed his clothes were soaked through and then remembered: On this day in a previous life, when I found out that Kolton Long had submitted our marriage application, I was thrilled and bought lots of groceries, hoping we could celebrate once he got back.

But I waited and waited; by the time he came home, it was quite late and he was drenched. Worried, I asked what had happened, but Kolton brushed it off, saying it was nothing.

Later, I learned that it was on this exact day that Bailee Diaz somehow ended up in the river, and Kolton was the one who saved her.

I couldn't help but let out a small, bitter laugh at the thought.

Knowing what happened in my past life, it was clear—Bailee must have been devastated after learning Kolton had submitted our marriage application. She was either in deep despair or trying to make a dramatic statement. No wonder Kolton was so cold to me on this day in the past. He must have blamed me for Bailee's rash decision.

But how was I to blame?

It was he who proposed, he who filed the application, he who vowed to be with me forever. Yet somehow, I was cast as the villain who tore them apart.

So, seeing Kolton come home soaked again, I simply looked away. Unlike my previous life, where I hurried to make him a hot cup of coffee, I calmly continued with my cooking.

Without hot water for a shower, Kolton quietly changed out of his wet clothes.

During dinner, he started sneezing, but I pretended not to notice.

After dinner, as I washed the dishes, I saw Kolton pacing restlessly in the living room. Eventually, he couldn't stand it any longer and grabbed his jacket, muttering, "I’m stepping out for a bit," before rushing out the door.

I pressed my lips together and made a mark on the yellowing old calendar hanging on the wall.

Once I complete two sets of tallies, I'll be able to leave this place.