When Ariel returned to the marital home, Betty instructed Georgia to simmer some soup. The bubbling sounds from the kitchen filled the air with a subtle, savory aroma.

Betty smiled warmly when she saw Ariel come in. “Why are you alone? Where’s Jayson? Is he parking the car?”

Ariel stayed calm. “He had something to take care of. I came back first.”

Betty’s smile faded instantly. “Whatever it is, it’s after work hours. He could’ve at least come with you!”

Ariel forced a small smile but said nothing.

“Has work been this busy lately?” Betty had Georgia pour Ariel a glass of juice. “Georgia said you and Jayson hardly come back here anymore. What’s going on?”

Ariel paused, uncertain how to respond.

Betty had no idea they were planning to get a divorce. She simply assumed they were both tied up with work and looked at Ariel with concern.

Ariel couldn’t help feeling frustrated and resigned. She had no idea what Jayson was planning to do. If he didn’t tell Betty, how was she supposed to know what to say?

“It’s the end of the year. Things are tight at work,” she replied after a moment’s thought.

Betty patted her knee. “Your health comes first, so don’t push yourself too hard, okay? I’ve already arranged for someone to make you some herbal soup. You always say you’re fine, but I can tell you’re not at your best. Herbal soup will help restore your energy.”

Ariel knew Betty meant well and couldn’t bring herself to refuse.

Betty grumbled, “By the way, what’s wrong with Jayson? It’s already so late. Ari, you should call him and give him a piece of your mind!”

thought for a moment and soothed her, saying, “Don’t worry, Grandma. Let’s eat first. If he’s driving, it’s not safe to talk on the phone.”

She came up with an excuse so that she wouldn’t risk Nancy picking up the call instead.

Betty didn’t push it any further.

Ariel assumed Jayson probably wouldn’t come back tonight. But just as dinner was ready, he strode through the door.

She glanced at him briefly and looked away, quietly calculating when Betty might leave so she could slip out.

Betty’s expression softened a little upon seeing Jayson walk in right on time for dinner.

Mid–meal, Betty suddenly brightened with an idea. “How about we take a family photo? What do you think?”

Ariel’s hand holding a glass paused.

Jayson gently set her glass down and calmly said, “We took one last year. It’s unnecessary.”

Ariel looked at the glass, unmoved.

In the past, her heart might’ve fluttered. But now, clear–headed and detached, she saw it for what it was.

Women really were prone to sentimentality. They would take the bare minimum of decency and dress it up as love, fooling themselves without even realizing it.

Jayson’s blunt refusal to take a family photo didn’t surprise her. In truth, she didn’t think it was necessary either.

Besides, he probably refused because they were on the brink of divorce.

Betty took in Jayson’s unyielding expression, then glanced at Ariel’s uninterested look, and sighed softly.

“If you’re both too busy, we can do it later.”

Then her eyes fell on Ariel’s hand. “Ari, where’s your wedding ring?”

Betty had noticed Ariel hadn’t been wearing it for a while but hadn’t pressed before. Now, seeing it gone for so long, she couldn’t help but ask.

Jayson glanced sideways, briefly catching sight of Ariel’s hand.

Ariel answered calmly, “It gets in the way.”

11

In truth, when she sent the divorce papers to Jayson, she included the wedding ring. She had no idea what Jayson did with his ring. He had probably asked Colton to get rid of it.

Plus, she was the only one who ever wore a ring since the wedding day. Jayson never once put on his, always presenting himself as single.

Her one–woman show had gone on long enough.

To Betty, one ring shouldn’t get in the way.

She glanced at Jayson’s empty finger, understanding now that Ariel’s disappointment wasn’t new.

Betty shot Jayson a look, silently urging him to say something, even just a word to comfort.

Jayson caught the look but seemed clueless. Without asking Ariel why she’d taken off her ring, he handed Betty a shrimp. “What’s with the blinking? Do you want me to peel it for you?“!

He was truly a master at changing the subject. He had no intention of setting an example by putting his wedding ring on.

Betty’s eyes flashed with frustration. She opened her mouth but stopped. Her expression shifted to resignation.

She gave up and focused on her meal.

Throughout it all, Ariel kept her head down, eating quietly as if she didn’t notice.

She knew better than anyone that if Jayson wanted to, he wouldn’t have gone three years without wearing his ring. It was probably lost somewhere.

Ariel thought Betty might leave later but was surprised when she settled into the guest room instead.

Feeling a little helpless, Ariel went upstairs.

When she entered the room, she found Jayson sitting on the couch, texting on his phone.

She walked past him, who noticed her approaching and quickly flipped his phone face down.

She guessed he was texting Nancy and didn’t want her to see the screen.

Not paying it much mind, she stepped around him to grab the charger.

After a full day, her phone was dead and had already shut off.

As she sat on the bed charging it, Jayson stretched out his legs and casually asked, “Do you want me to send you the photos and videos?”

Ariel looked up, confused. “What?”

Seeing her blank expression, Jayson stopped lighting his cigarette and put the lighter away. “The photos of us Grandma took the other day.”

Ariel suddenly remembered.

Betty had asked him to send them to Ariel, but nothing had happened after that.

She was surprised Jayson still had the photos.

But then she remembered he had been texting Nancy earlier and that Nancy had answered the call she made.

Maybe Nancy often checked his phone.

Jayson was probably worried Nancy might see those pictures.

Besides, she didn’t care about their photos anymore. They were getting a divorce. What was the point of keeping their photos?

At this thought, Ariel replied, “It’s fine. You can delete them.”