The Marriage She Turned into War novel Chapter 317

I decided to call Abigail at 5:00 pm and ask if she needed a ride home.

The line rang a few times before I was greeted with a mechanically busy tone. I tried again, but this time, the cold, automated response came through.

"The number you are trying to reach is currently unavailable."

Hearing that, I let out a bitter laugh. Of course, I shouldn't have expected anything different.

"No expectations, no disappointments," I muttered to myself, shaking my head at my own naivety. How foolish was I to think things would change?

By then, Jane had already gone home for the evening. I didn't feel like preparing anything fancy, so I made some oatmeal and sat down to eat.

As I ate the oatmeal, a text from Abigail popped up on my phone.

"Sorry, Samuel. Something came up at work, and I had to go on a last-minute trip. Don't wait up for me tonight. I'm not sure if I'll make it back. Get some rest, okay?"

It was the same old excuse.

She always pulled the "work trip" card, like it was her go-to way to brush me off. It was as if she thought I'd blindly believe anything she said, like some clueless fool.

I stared at the message for a moment, then typed back a simple reply. "Alright. Don't worry about me. Focus on your work."

After hitting send, I turned off my phone, unwilling to see any more messages from her.

Later that evening, Sophia texted me.

"Happy birthday, Samuel! Hope you're doing something fun to celebrate!"

Her words carried more warmth than anything I'd heard all day. She sounded genuinely excited for me, more so than I was for myself.

I thanked her, smiling faintly as my mood lifted slightly.

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