His Regret, Her Name, My freedom

It had been a very long time since I'd seen Jasper act so considerate. "No, thanks. I already ate out."

"You ate out? But you were always so reluctant to spend money."

His words stung. It was true. I used to be frugal, pinching pennies and using most of the money I earned from part-time jobs to buy him things.

Now that I was going to university, I had a lot of expenses, and every penny had to be carefully managed.

I looked up at him and said calmly, "I remember giving you the money for wedding supplies a few days ago. It doesn't look like you bought anything. Give the money back to me."

He froze for a second, then explained awkwardly, "That money... well, I already used it to buy Delia a pair of Jimmy Choos."

I couldn't help but let a small, bitter smile touch my lips. Just as I thought. Same old story.

"Fine. If that's all, I'm going to bed."

"I'll give you the money tomorrow," he said, his tone tinged with annoyance. "We're a married couple. Do you have to be so petty?"

I couldn't help but scoff. "So you spend the money I worked so hard to save on someone else, and I'm not allowed to be unhappy about it?"

He knew he was in the wrong but still stubbornly muttered, "You're being so unreasonable."

I couldn't be bothered to argue with him anymore and slammed the door shut.

Over the next few days, I sold off some old belongings—souvenirs that had held special meaning in my past life but now seemed like nothing more than worthless junk.

I packed them all up and sold them to a junk dealer for a little pocket money.

That afternoon, I was packing when Jasper appeared with some cash. He said stiffly, "Here's your money."

I took the money and nodded. "Thanks."

He looked at me with a complicated expression, his gaze falling on my packed luggage. "I'm planning to take Delia to New York with me. You don't need to pack."

I didn't stop what I was doing, just nodded. He seemed thrown by my attitude, a flicker of unease in his eyes. "What's wrong with you lately? You're like a different person."

I turned around impatiently. I didn't want any more complications. Although Jasper didn't love me, if he found out Delia's name was on the marriage certificate, he would likely divorce her for her sake and then come to marry me.

I didn't want to get entangled with this despicable pair ever again.

"It's nothing. I just wanted to get my things organized. Once you're in New York, I'll move back to our small town in Oregon."

He let out a sigh of relief and explained, "It's not that I don't want to take you with me. It's just that Delia has never seen New York and wants to go. I'll bring you over in a few months."

I nodded absently. In my last life, he didn't come for me for a full eight years.

It wasn't until Delia married the son of a high-ranking general in New York that he, in his despair, finally brought me over.

He watched me uneasily. Usually, when we were alone, I would chatter on endlessly.

Now that I was barely speaking, he was the one who seemed restless. "Didn't you always want to take wedding photos? Let's go to the studio tomorrow."

That wouldn't work. I had planned to buy university supplies tomorrow.

Just as I was about to make an excuse, Delia walked in, affectionately linking her arm with Jasper's. "Jasper, what photo studio? I want to take pictures too."

Jasper smiled and patted Delia's head. "Okay, we'll all go together tomorrow."