Chapter 4Happier Without My Cheating Ex-Wife

Tyler scoffed, an unamused sound. "Want me to go chase him down and kick him a couple of times?"

A sliver of light pierced through my gloom, and I managed a wry smile. After dinner with Tyler, I headed home. But at my doorstep, I found Chloe, utterly drunk, clinging to Liam, refusing to let go. Her mumbled words, like a child's pouty questions, were barely audible: "Why can't you just be more understanding?"

Liam, his lips pressed together, looked faintly wronged. Seeing me appear, his expression shifted. He deliberately leaned in, giving Chloe a light, feathery kiss on the lips. His voice, soothing and soft, held a distinct edge of provocation for me: "Don't worry, Chloe. From now on, I'll listen to everything you say."

Watching their undignified entanglement, my old self would have ripped Chloe from his arms and cursed him for his shamelessness. But now, I simply, mechanically, pulled out my keys and opened the door, not sparing them even a sidelong glance. Liam's mocking smirk froze, as if he couldn't believe I hadn't reacted. Yet, I didn't look back. I let him carry Chloe into the living room and settle her onto the sofa.

He, emboldened, continued to push my boundaries. As he finished his charade and moved to stand, he feigned a stumble, a soft cry escaping his lips, and collapsed onto Chloe. Her eyes still closed, Chloe instinctively wrapped her arms around him, a drunken mumble escaping her lips: "Stop messing around!" Liam looked up at me, as I was about to enter my room, and theatrically struggled, softly coaxing, "Chloe, don't do this. It wouldn't look good for Alex to see."

Hearing him, Chloe tightened her embrace. "Alex? Which Alex?" With a drunken roll, she pressed her lips firmly against Liam's.

Listening to the unbearable sounds from outside, I stood in my room, my heart bleeding, even though I'd already decided to leave. Chloe, did you two have to be so utterly desperate? Well, perhaps this just made it easier for me to cut all ties.

Thirsty, I went to the kitchen for water. Moments later, Liam appeared, his clothes disheveled, his mouth swollen, a smug glint in his eyes. "Look at you, all disheveled and unkempt. No wonder I left for five years and you still couldn't capture Chloe's heart. If I were you, I'd be so ashamed I'd just kill myself."

"Then go ahead," I retorted, my voice dripping with scorn. "Being the other man is far more pathetic."

His face instantly flushed with enraged humiliation. He grabbed the full glass of hot water sitting nearby and splashed it at me. I swiftly shielded my face with my hand, but most of the scalding water hit my neck. A large patch of skin turned red, stinging fiercely. Even the meekest soul has a breaking point.

Blinded by fury, I lunged forward, raising my hand and landing a solid punch on his face. I was about to strike again when a drunken Chloe suddenly stumbled between us, shielding Liam, her face contorted in rage, glaring at me. I froze for a few seconds, then a sharp, stinging slap exploded across my face. The burning sensation from my neck spread to my cheek.

"Alex, you disappoint me so much! Why do you keep targeting Liam? Are you even a man?"

After that day, Chloe vanished. I gathered all my belongings that couldn't be carried easily and sold them off at a secondhand market. During this time, I tried calling Chloe to discuss the divorce papers, but she only sent a cold text in return: "Liam's in the hospital because of you. If you can't admit your mistake and genuinely apologize, don't contact me again."

On the day of my flight, Tyler's eyes were red, trying hard to hold back tears. I smiled, reassuring him. I walked confidently towards a brand-new future. From this day forward, I would be my own man, navigating my own path. I would live for myself.

Before turning off my phone, I sent one last message to Chloe. "The divorce papers have been mailed to your company. Please sign them as soon as possible. Thank you."