On Antonio's birthday, I spent hours preparing a special feast, only to discover he had abandoned me for another woman, Valda. As I cleaned up the untouched meal, Antonio mocked my cake and offered comfort food, a ritual of unspoken truce between us. But when I noticed a message from Valda on Antonio’s phone, a heated confrontation broke out, and I ended up scalding my hand. Antonio rushed me to the hospital, but I was left in the sweltering car, forgotten for over an hour while he tended to Valda. When I finally escaped and returned home, Antonio's only concern was his missing portion of food. A simmering tension rose within me, and I couldn’t help but wonder: am I still a part of his life, or am I just an afterthought?

Chapter 1

Antonio found me clearing last night's untouched birthday feast when he came home.

Yesterday was his birthday.

He said he would bring friends over for the celebration, so I took half a day off to prepare.

I waited till midnight.

I wouldn't have known he changed plans if I hadn't seen Valda's "best birthday party ever" post.

"Made the cake yourself?"

He smirked, smearing frosting across my cheek. When I nodded, he snorted, "No wonder it looks so janky."

Back then, those words would've crushed me. I'd have argued until my face turned red.

Now? Not worth the breath.

Watching me scrub dishes, Antonio cleared his throat. "Grace, I brought you seafood pasta."

"Saw it."

He always did this—brought comfort food after ripping me apart.

It was our unspoken truce ritual.

"Let me heat it up."

He vanished into the kitchen before I could refuse.

Ten minutes later, smoke curled out.

Antonio stayed in the bedroom, so I had to turn off the stove myself.

Steam rose from the re