I Begged My Husband 99 Times to See Stardust’s Concert novel Chapter 3

After dinner, I wandered around the night market for a while.

By the time I got home, it was late.

The living room lights were on—Alexander was actually waiting for me.

That was a first.

In five years of marriage, he was always the one coming home late.

And me? I always turned down happy hours and girls' nights, waiting for him at home.

To make sure someone was there when he stumbled in drunk.

To make sure he had something warm to eat if he worked too late.

There was always a hangover remedy ready, always a hot meal on standby.

Alexander hated it.

Said I acted like his mother.

I shook my head, snapping out of the memory.

His gaze was cold, voice even colder: 

"Claire, you almost didn't come home again."

"Oh," I said casually.

Because in this house, staying out all night was a privilege reserved for him.

Soon, we'd have two houses.

Problem solved.

Alexander narrowed his eyes, clearly caught off guard by my reaction. 

"Do you even know what today is?"

I hesitated for a second, instinctively reaching into my bag.

The anniversary gift I had prepared for him was still inside.

Today was our fifth wedding anniversary.

In previous years, I always put in so much effort.

But tonight, I didn't bother taking the gift out.

No point in keeping up with meaningless traditions.

Not when we were about to get divorced.

Alexander seemed annoyed as he handed me a gift box. 

"I got this for you. Go ahead, open it."

I wasn't surprised.

After standing me up so many times, he had to throw me a bone sooner or later.

That was Alexander for you—every time he screwed up, he'd toss me a small apology gift afterward.

And every time, I'd foolishly hope for more.

Because there was no excuse for that.

So he just stood there, glaring.

If this were before, I would've panicked.

Felt guilty.

Started crying, maybe even apologizing.

That look of his always meant that I was the one in the wrong.

But now?

I kept searching for the papers.

Didn't find them.

Probably left them at the restaurant.

"What are you looking for?"

Alexander leaned in slightly.

I hummed noncommittally, not bothering to explain.

Didn't like him getting too close.

I skipped the master bedroom and went straight to the guest room.

And for the first time in a long time, I slept like a baby.