Chapter 2

Looking at the photo, I found it laughable.

Before I could reply to Claire, Robert suddenly called.

He finally remembered me.

"Where are you?" I asked calmly as soon as I answered the call.

"Madeleine, I don't like being questioned," he said irritably.

That line was all too familiar.

Every time he lied, he used that line to suppress me.

In the three years we were together, Robert secretly met with Claire many times.

Each time he disappeared for a week.

During that week, he wouldn't answer calls or texts.

It was as if I wasn't allowed to disturb his time alone with Claire.

When he came back, his neck was covered in red marks.

I angrily asked him where they came from.

At first, he'd casually say they were mosquito bites and tell me not to overthink it.

But if I questioned him a second time, he'd get angry and say, "Madeleine, I don't like being questioned!"

He knew that when he got angry, I'd back down.

Seeing that I hadn't responded for a while, he softened his tone. "Madeleine, I've been really busy with work. I didn't mean to stand you up."

"When I'm free, I'll make it up to you with an engagement party, okay?"

"I've just ordered the latest handbag for you. It'll be delivered soon."

As soon as he finished speaking, a woman's coquettish voice came through.

"Baby, why did you buy her the same bag as mine?"

To cover up the voice, Robert quickly said,

"Let's not talk about this now..."

"Robert," I interrupted him, my voice distant and cold.

Usually, unless something serious happened, I wouldn't talk to him in such a cold voice.

He paused noticeably.

"Today is another star. The bottle is almost full," I continued.

This was our agreement.

We had two glass bottles at home.

One tied with a blue ribbon and one with a red ribbon.

The blue-ribboned bottle was for my happy moments.

Whenever Robert did something that made me happy, I'd fold a little star and put it in the bottle.

When the bottle was full, I'd marry Robert.

The red-ribboned bottle was for my sad moments.

Whenever Robert did something that made me sad, I'd fold a little star and put it in the bottle.

When that bottle was full, I'd leave Robert.

Back then, Robert held me and said, "I won't let you fill the red-ribboned bottle."

"In other words, I won't let you leave me."

Leaning against his chest, I smiled and said, "I believe you."

I never expected the red-ribboned bottle to fill so quickly, while the blue-ribboned bottle remained empty.

Sometimes, I'd even deceive myself, folding stars for his smallest gestures, like him taking out the trash without being asked or turning off the lights before bed, just so I could marry him sooner.

For something like leaving me on the highway after an argument or going out with friends while I had a fever and then blaming me for not having dinner ready when he returned, I'd hesitate to put stars in the red-ribboned bottle, just because I didn't want to leave him.

After realizing what I'd said, he grew impatient.

"Isn't it just a small thing? Do you really like folding stars so much?"

I didn't respond but lowered my head and laughed bitterly at myself.

"Madeleine, stop making trouble. I'll be back tomorrow morning."

"I love you. Be good," Robert coaxed.

He knew that if he softened his tone, I'd be reluctant to add stars to that red-ribboned bottle again.

But this time would be different.

I wouldn’t let him take my love for granted.