The next morning, Ryan couldn't focus. Every little thing reminded him of Lia—the way she softly placed the soup in front of him, the calmness in her voice, the care in her actions.
His mind kept replaying her words:
"Because you're my husband. And I don't stop caring just because you did."
Why did that bother him so much?
When he returned home that night, he found his parents waiting in the living room. The atmosphere was heavy.
His mother stood up the moment he stepped in.
"Ryan, what have you done?" she said angrily.
"Mom—"
"Don't 'Mom' me!" she snapped. "You married someone else while Lia—who has done nothing but love you—stayed in this house with her head held high!"
Before Ryan could defend himself, his father stood up, his voice firmer than ever.
"You betrayed a good woman, Ryan."
"I told you from the beginning that I didn't love her!" Ryan shouted.
His father's hand landed across his cheek—sharp, sudden, and shocking.
"You didn't have to love her, but you should've respected her!"
Ryan's fists clenched.
He was burning inside, and in that moment, he wasn't thinking clearly.
"All of you are on Lia's side! It's because of her Elina and I stayed apart for so long!"
"Don't you dare blame her for your mistakes!" his mother said.
But Ryan was done. With fire in his eyes, he stepped back.
"Fine. If this is what it is, then I want nothing to do with either of you."
"Ryan—" his mom tried to stop him.
"I don't need this family. I have AR Entertainment. I'll survive just fine without your approval."
Without another word, Ryan stormed upstairs, shutting the door behind him.
---
In his room, silence returned. The adrenaline faded, replaced by something colder.
He sat on the edge of his bed and looked at his phone. His fingers scrolled through old pictures—him and Lia. Smiling. Laughing. Holding hands.
They used to be so close. Before all the chaos, before the feelings tangled and twisted. Lia wasn't just his best friend… she had been his safe space.
His jaw tightened.
The door creaked open. Lia walked in slowly, holding her bag.
"Ryan? You… called me?"
He looked up.
For a second, something softened in his gaze. She looked hopeful. Nervous. Beautiful.
But then his voice dropped, heavy and cold.
"Let's get a divorce."
Lia froze.
Her eyes widened as if the ground had been pulled from beneath her.
"W-What…?"
Ryan didn't repeat it. He didn't need to.
Her heart shattered silently, the same way it had been breaking piece by piece every day.
But this time… the pain cut deeper.