Chapter 1

The man sat up and reached out to the lighter on the bedside table. With a clear clink, the air was filled with the thick scent of smoke other than the extravagant presence of the room.

Jessica blankly got down from the bed with the blanket draped over her body. She bent over to pick up the sleeping robe on the floor and dragged her sore body into the bathroom under the dim lighting.

She did not need to look back because she knew there was no affectionate gaze looking back at her, not even a cold glance was spared.

She turned the shower on. The water was cold at first, yet she stood under it blankly as she washed herself up.

He did not love her. He was just doing his duty as a husband, devoid of any kind of emotions.

She was on birth control pills which took a heavy toll on her body. Because he did not like to use condoms, she was forced to resolve it in this stupid way. Although she knew it was useless, she was afraid that she might get pregnant. If she somehow got pregnant, he would never want the child.

After she came out from the bathroom, the only light by the bedside was turned off. The room was dark and the smoky scent in the air got thicker.

Nevertheless, Jessica had gotten used to it. She slowly made her way to the door and walked out.

In the other room, she leaned on the bed as she stared at the marriage certificate in her hand.

The red marriage certificate was already worn out, and it had cellophane tape all over it. Be it the picture on it or their signature, they were all covered in cracks.

She clearly remembered that day when she had torn the marriage certificate into pieces while crying her lungs out, but the man had nonchalantly said, “Stick it together.”

She put the marriage certificate under her pillow and lay down with her eyes closed.

…

Jessica had to wake up early to prepare breakfast.