Chapter 13
“Back in the day, Jennifer was really good to you.
She wouldn’t start eating until you finished.
She knew your tastes best. Even after all these years, we guys still haven’t figured out what you like to eat.”
One of Alexander’s close buddies spoke up first. Seeing him lower his head, he didn’t say more.
By the end of the gathering, he’d lost all interest.
He downed a big glass of liquor and rushed home.
The house was cold and quiet as usual. Not even the hallway light was
- on.
Pitch black. Alexander felt irritation rising.
No slippers waited at the entryway.
He felt unsettled, his expression darkening.
“Mrs. Martinez… Mrs. Martinez…”
When Mrs. Martinez came, she only brought a cup of hot water.
Alexander waved his hand carelessly, smashing the cup on the floor.
“I don’t want water. I want Herbal Sober–up Tonic.”
He shouted at Mrs. Martinez, his eyes turning stormy.
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“I’m sorry, Mr. Smith.
Since Jennifer left, I haven’t known your routines.”
Alexander pressed his temples. “Don’t you know how to make the tonic?”
Mrs.
ingrembled, sweat beading. “Jennifer always bought the
ingredients herself. Sometimes it took hours to simmer.
She never told me the recipe. She handled all your needs personally.”
Bang!
Alexander tore off his watch and flung it onto the coffee table.
“You’re her mother, so you’ll defend her. Can’t you just look up a tonic tutorial online?”
Mrs. Martinez didn
answer. Silently, she turned toward the kitchen.
When she brought the tonic, Alexander only took a sip before setting it aside.
Something pierced Alexander’s heart. One taste of Mrs. Martinez’s tonic told him it was all wrong–nothing like Jennifer’s.
Bitter and cloying.
A strange feeling washed over him.
Those things were crafted through her daily observations of his habits.
Prepared step by step with her own hands.
He knew she’d cared deeply for their home before.
Chapter 15
But never had he felt this hollow ache inside.
Alexander just felt regret. Felt he’d failed her.
Maybe he truly owed her.
Alexander stood in the kitchen’s center. Cold marble reflections gleamed on his shadowed face.
Mrs. Martinez leaned against the corner wall, holding her breath.
“Jennifer once told me she loved you. Said everything done for love is worth it. Why say it?”
For the first time, Mrs. Martinez stood with Alexander, aching for her daughter.
“Before, I’d tell her to stop and let me help.
She refused.
She never cut corners with your meals. Made everything herself, tasted everything before serving you.”
Mrs. Martinez added more, hoping Alexander would bring her daughter home.
“But as her mother, how could you not know where she went?”
Alexander’s fingers absently tapped the countertop.
Jennifer only said she was leaving, but never mentioned where she’d go.
Mother Li lowered her head, tumultuous waves churning inside.
Ever since marrying Jennifer, no matter how late Alexander returned from
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business dinners, a bowl of warm Herbal Sober–up Tonic had always been placed on the living room coffee table.
But ultimately she remained his wife. Whenever it might be, she’d surely
return.
Alexander Smith kept telling himself this.
Only the next day, through official inquiry, did he discover Jennifer had already regained single status.
She and Alexander Smith were no longer husband and wife.
The root of this lay in that agreement he’d signed for Nicole.
Rubbing his temples, he felt a hollow ache.
When Nicole returned, he lifted his gaze, expression grave. “You made me sign those papers, didn’t you?”
His question froze Nicole’s thoughts. “What… what papers?”
“Shall I repeat myself?
Did you force Jennifer to sign divorce papers, then trick me into signing them by calling it a property agreement?”
Nicole paled, her face falling instantly.
“N–no, not me.”
Seeing her persistent denial, Alexander slammed the divorce contract onto the table.
“Don’t play games with me.”
