Chapter 311

Birthdays had become a source of dread rather than joy for me since marrying Abigail. Every year, it was the same. She'd be "away on business" or spending the day with Joshua. Worse, there were times she'd outright humiliate me, leaving scars that cut so deep that I couldn't even think about celebrating without feeling bitter. Over time, I stopped caring about birthdays altogether. But this year, I couldn't help but wonder. If given the choice, who would Abigail prioritize—me or Joshua? Which way would her scale tip? "By the way, Samuel, have you noticed how clingy you've gotten lately?" Her words caught me off guard. I stared at her, unsure how to respond. Wasn't this just me playing along with her "happy couple" charade? There was no other reason for my supposed clinginess. Before I could answer, she gave me one of her soft smiles and began tracing small circles on the back of my hand with her thumb. "Samuel, I really care about you. And I worry about you, too