---- stating something utterly inconsequential. "Tt was my oversight at the nursery today. I'm sorry for that. But Oliver also had a parents' evening. Jennifer is raising him alone after the divorce-she's overwhelmed, and she really couldn't handle it on her own." He let out a soft sigh, and a flicker of emotion I couldn't quite decipher passed through his eyes. He continued, "Besides, I made a promise to Jennifer long before I ever met you-that no matter what happened, I would never let her suffer." At that, his gaze suddenly became sharp. When he looked at me, there was distance and coldness in his eyes. "T already married you, just like you wanted. But don't try to stop me from caring for them. I owe them that." With those words, he casually tossed his jacket onto the couch and headed straight to the bathroom. ---- The bathroom door slammed shut with a loud bang, and the sound of rushing water roared to life. That sound-it felt like an impenetrable wall, drowning out my helpless sobs, swallowing them whole.