Suddenly, a blaring horn ripped me from my thoughts. The car in front of me cut me off, forcing me to slam on the brakes. I skidded to a stop at the side of the road, my face pale and covered in sweat, my heart pounding against my ribs.

I leaned over the steering wheel, clutching my chest. In my peripheral vision, I saw Jace, dressed in a sharp suit, walking towards us with a bouquet of roses.

He saw me drenched in sweat and feigned concern.

"Caleb, man, I'm so sorry. I was just joking around. I didn't realize you were so jumpy."

"I didn't mean to do that. It's just, these flowers are so beautiful, and I thought they'd be perfect for Sera. I guess I got a little eager. You really need to work on your driving skills, man."

My wife was unmoved. She just straightened her clothes and glared at me.

"Useless. You can't even handle something this small."

Jace shamelessly presented the flowers to my wife. She took them without a second thought, not even sparing me a glance.

I didn't have the energy to deal with him. A sharp pain was spreading through my chest, and I fumbled in the glove compartment for my life-saving medication.

Jace chuckled.

"Caleb, not this again. First, you get depression after your mom passes, and now you have a heart condition? I just gave her some flowers. No need to get so jealous."

My face was turning a sickly shade of pale blue. I looked at my wife, but her expression was filled with disgust.

"Are you really going to copy your mother's theatrics? Pulling these stunts for attention? Don't you have any shame?"

She glanced at me, then turned to Jace.

"It's a good thing you're here. My mother was just saying that Leo has been asking to see you."

"If he wants to put on a show, let him. We'll go on ahead."

A smile played in Jace's eyes, but he pretended to be troubled.

"Sera, I don't know about that. If Caleb is feeling this bad, maybe you should stay with him. I don't mind."

My wife scoffed and looked back at me.

"See, Jace? You could learn a thing or two from someone five years younger than you."

With that, she left me there to die, got into her childhood friend's car, and drove away.