Cast Out by My Wife, Welcomed by Success

I really wanted to ask Jennifer whose honeymoon trip this was supposed to be.

However, the words died in my throat because confronting her would only make me look more pathetic.

Seeing my silence, Jennifer frowned in displeasure. "Archie, are you deaf? Maurice is talking to you."

Instead of answering, I silently turned and walked toward the gate for Oakport.

"Archie, what's gotten into you? I specifically cleared my schedule to spend time with you, and this is the attitude I get?" she shouted behind me.

I stopped in my tracks. I wanted to turn back and tell her, "You didn't come here to spend time with me. You came here specifically for Maurice."

But then I caught sight of the matching hoodies they were wearing under their coats.

I laughed and couldn't help but say mockingly, "You two look great in the matching hoodies. It's just a shame I don't enjoy being a third wheel."

My words drew stares from the surrounding passengers.

Someone recognized Jennifer and pulled out their phone to take pictures.

Jennifer immediately zipped up her coat, her expression darkening. "There are custom project team hoodies. Everyone has one. Must you be so petty?"

I let out a derisive snort.

Did she think I was blind? The brand logo was plastered all over the hoodie.

Just then, Maurice sidled up to her and said pitifully, "Jennifer, Archie seems pretty lonely by himself. How about we stick to the original plan and go to Oakport? I don't want Archie to feel left out.

"But several influencer hostel owners and investors have already arranged to meet us at Mount Pratt, and you just got the state recognition. If you stand them up at this stage, I'm afraid the industry might question your professionalism. Don't worry about me—I don't want to come between you two."

I couldn't bear to listen anymore, so I walked straight toward the gate.

Behind me came Jennifer's cold voice. "Let him be. He can't even take an out when it's handed to him. All he knows is to throw a tantrum at the drop of a hat. Whether he comes or not, I don't care. I'm done accommodating him."

I laughed bitterly to myself.

I wanted to tell her that the only person in this world who would ever accommodate me unconditionally was my mother, Constance Powell.

What was Jennifer compared to that?

Right in front of them, I boarded the flight to Oakport alone.

I walked through those heritage workshops and indigenous villages in Mount Cypress and Lake Emery by myself.

During the day, I chatted with local artisans. At night, I sat in the courtyard of my inn, quietly stargazing.

The peace and purity of this place made me forget about Jennifer, if only for a while.

It wasn't until the trip was nearly over that I suddenly realized that Jennifer and I had perhaps always been from two different worlds.

The day would come when we would part ways for good, just like this trip.

Before heading back, I received a call from Jennifer.

Her opening line was the familiar accusation. "After this trip, I can clearly see that we're just not on the same page. I tried to compensate you out of kindness, yet you humiliated me in public. Archie, I suggest you know when to stop. There's a limit to my patience."

I listened quietly, then nodded in agreement. "You're right. We're really not on the same page."

Then, I hung up.

Now that I had fully seen Jennifer for who she was, I actually wanted to thank Maurice for crying and throwing a fit back then to stop her from getting our marriage license.

I had everything arranged. But the night before, Maurice bombarded Jennifer with messages.

One said, "If you get married, I won't go on living." Another said, "What am I supposed to do without you?"

He even demanded that Jennifer come to him immediately. If he didn't see her in ten minutes, he'd slash his wrists.

At that thought, I smiled slightly.

Naturally, Jennifer couldn't sit still. She rushed over in a panic, and after that, she never brought up getting the marriage license again.