No More Waiting for Summer's Final Fireworks

When Ella saw me, she greeted me first. "Elizabeth! The driver said he had an emergency, so thank you for picking us up."

My gaze fell on the jacket she was wearing. "If saying that makes you feel superior, I won’t argue."

Ella’s smile stiffened.

David got into the backseat first. "Take her home first."

"The address is Cloudtop Garden, Building 3, Unit 701."

The moment he recited the number, I remembered the movie ticket stub I’d found in his suit pocket last week while organizing the closet.

Ella slid into the backseat with a bright smile. "Thanks, Elizabeth!"

I watched them through the rearview mirror.

They kept their distance, but the chill in my chest spread until my whole body felt frozen.

By the time we got home, it was late. I went straight to shower.

Just as I was dressing, the bathroom door suddenly opened.

David stepped through the steam and wrapped his arms around me from behind. "Miss me?"

A diamond necklace dangled against my collarbone. "Saw it at an auction during the trip. Thought it’d suit you. Do you like it?"

His lips brushed my neck.

I caught the scent of Ella’s perfume on him and shoved him away.

In the mirror, I recognized the pendant—it had appeared in Ella’s Facebook before.

Her caption at the time read: So expensive, but not my style~ Politely declined!

In other words, something someone else had rejected.

And now, I was the one being handed scraps.

I pulled out my phone, opened Ella’s Facebook, and shoved it in David’s face.

"Explain this."

He paused mid-kiss against my shoulder, then chuckled lowly. "She’s just a kid messing around. Why take it seriously? She’s only an intern."

Even when Ella was blatantly provoking me, he still shielded her.

Frustration coiled in my chest, and I pushed him away again.

His expression finally darkened. "Are you done? Still acting up?"

"Elizabeth, I thought staying home all these years would’ve made you wiser. Seems you’ve only grown more foolish."

With that, he hoisted me onto the bathroom counter, forcing himself between my legs. "Do I really have to force you to fulfill your duties as a wife?"

That night, there was no tenderness—only brutality.

By morning, I was feverish.

By afternoon, I couldn’t take it anymore and went to the hospital.

David called while I was on an IV drip.

Hearing I was at the hospital, he said he’d pick me up.

I didn’t refuse.

After the drip, I walked out and saw his car parked outside.

I moved toward the passenger seat—only for Ella to pop her head out, holding a tub of popcorn. "Elizabeth! I’m meeting my bestie for shopping. David said it’s on the way!"

Suddenly, this life felt unbearably exhausting.

I was too tired to even pretend.

Ignoring her, I climbed into the backseat and shut my eyes.

Even knowing I was unwell, David still dropped Ella off at the mall first.

As she got out, she waved at me with that same bright smile.

I stared coldly and rolled up the window without a word.

Only after driving off did David voice his displeasure. "She’s just a kid. Why be so petty? You’re acting classless."

I kept my eyes closed.

Despite the IV, my fever hadn’t broken.

After a pause, his tone softened slightly. "Still not feeling better?"

I didn’t answer, and he didn’t press further.

At home, he helped me out of the car, arms around me as he murmured near my ear, "Was I too rough last night?"