Love’s Empty Echo

I followed the direction of Callum’s finger and saw two servings of spaghetti on the dining table, their colors and aromas inviting.

It was only then that I realized Callum could cook.

I remembered a time when I couldn’t stomach the food from outside, vomiting uncontrollably and sweating from stomach pains. I'd asked for a simple bowl of plain stew but he had said that he couldn’t make it.

Ha, so it wasn’t that he couldn’t, he simply didn’t want to cook for me.

I smiled politely and declined the invitation before heading upstairs to prepare the gift I intended to give the birthday celebrant that evening.

Technically, with the divorce process already underway, I didn’t need to attend any more banquets with Callum.

But the hostess that night was Mrs. Gwen Bolton, my first client and the matchmaker between Callum and me. It would be improper not to go.

I had chosen a hand-sewn handbag according to her preferences. The leather was soft, and the design was simple.

However, when I finished packing everything and came downstairs, Callum stopped me.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

As I gazed at him coldly, he seemed momentarily lost but quickly brushed it off.

"Don’t go tonight. Give the gift to Hannah instead," he said quietly as if embarrassed by his own request.

"Hannah is about to graduate and wants to join the entertainment company under the Bolton Corporation. If she earns Mrs. Bolton’s favor, things will be much easier for her, and her future path will be smoother."

He didn’t know how much effort I had put into my gift, how many hours I’d spent sewing until my fingers nearly bled.

No, that was not true.

He knew but I wasn’t worth his care.

So, with a casual remark, he dismissed all the time and energy I had invested.

Something in me had shattered but then came an unexpected sense of lightness and release.

You see, when it came to this relationship, I no longer had even the slightest attachment left.

I smiled and handed over the gift box.

"Fine, then you can give it to her."

I had never lost contact with Mrs. Bolton. She knew everything that had happened here.

Even if I didn’t go that night, it would be the same if we met tomorrow.

As for the gift, I could only say that no matter how heartfelt the present, if it did not come from the right person, it would not mean anything.

Callum seemed surprised by how quickly I surrendered but then a smile appeared on his face.

He handed me a brooch.

"Didn't you always say that you wanted something like this? I was wrong before, not paying attention to your words. I’ll make it up to you in time."

Callum played the role of an emotionally abusive husband very well.

This was the gift I had wanted on Valentine’s Day. I had put it in his shopping cart, but he had always pretended not to see it.

However, for Hannah, he had opened his eyes.

But the truth was, some things were special only because the person gave them special meaning. Without that, no matter how good the gift, it did not mean anything.

"Alright," I said without emotion.

Callum fastened the brooch for me and then adjusted my shawl.

"Why are you always in such a bad temper? The last time was my fault. Don’t be angry anymore. Hannah won’t stay in the country for long. Don’t stoop to her level, okay?"

Up until now, Callum still thought I was filing for divorce because I was throwing a temper.

I didn’t offer any explanation. I tried to sidestep his hand, but he yanked me into his arms.

"Darling, let’s withdraw the divorce application. I promise I’ll never leave you again."

He said it with such conviction that for a brief moment, I almost believed him.

This was the same Callum who had just days ago been cold and dismissive as he spent his time with another woman like it was nothing but a figment of my imagination.

But that feeling lasted only a second.

Because when Hannah came out of her room, I saw her wearing an entire set of matching jewelry from the same brand.

Then I remembered that just recently, I had received a promotional push for the brand. It had offered the brooch as a complimentary gift for the purchase of the full set.

It should not have been a surprise that Callum’s nice gesture was insincere.

I was like the freebie, never his first choice.