Chapter 3

I drank with several friends until late into the night.

Claire kept calling during that time, so I simply put my phone on silent.

“Ethan, it’s been forever since you’ve gone out with us! It’s great to see you joining us today.”

I raised my glass and drained it in one swallow before saying apologetically, “I was immature before. Now I’m planning to return to the photography world, so I’ll be counting on all of you to look after me!”

“What are you talking about? You’re a legend!”

“I heard Ethan even sold all his award-winning work to raise money for his mother’s treatment. He used to treasure those pieces more than anything. Even though his mother still passed away, she’ll be moved by his devotion from up in heaven!”

My friends chimed in one after another, but their words only made the pain in my heart burn hotter.

I automatically picked up my glass and drank several more shots.

Seeing me like that, my friends assumed I was grieving over my mother.

After offering me a few words of comfort, they simply kept me company, drinking while chatting about amusing news stories.

At that moment, my best friend Marcus handed me his phone and joked, “Ethan, did you forget to ask your wife for permission before coming out tonight? She called me too!”

The whole group burst out laughing.

Not wanting to put Marcus in a difficult position, I took the phone.

The moment Claire heard my half-drunk voice, disgust entered her tone. “Ethan, even if you’re angry, there has to be a limit! Are you trying to provoke me by getting drunk? We agreed that if you weren’t home by midnight, I’d lock the door. I’ve already been generous enough to let you come home tonight!”

My head was spinning, and my stomach churned with nausea. “Claire, you’re overthinking it. I only drank a little too much because I’m happy I can finally pick up my camera again!”

Then I replied groggily, “Go ahead and lock the door. I wasn’t planning on going home tonight anyway.”

Claire screamed, “Ethan! Don’t push your luck! I already swallowed my pride and asked you to come home. Is this family really less important to you than $1.2 million?”

I let out a cold laugh.

She actually still thought she was the one trying to appease me.

She thought I was only angry about the money.

Perhaps in her heart, my mother’s life was not worth $1.2 million, while Julian’s life was priceless.

I replied calmly, “Don’t get so worked up. Before we receive our divorce certificate, remember to have Julian pay back the money.”

Silence fell on the other end of the call.

The friends around me also froze.

Marcus handed me a cigarette and tried to persuade me. “Ethan, that’s just what married life is like. Couples are bound to argue. You’re upset because your mother just passed away, but don’t make an impulsive decision.”

I took a deep drag and gave a bitter laugh.

How could this be impulsive?

Claire had abandoned me while I had a fever to celebrate Julian’s birthday.

She had bought me shoes that did not fit.

All of it had happened long ago.

It was just that my mother’s life had finally awakened me.

How could I betray that awakening?