The night wind whipped through the open car window, tangling his hair.

All the way home, Julian's mind replayed the image of Milo appearing at Helena's side.

Maybe he had been hurt too many times, because he no longer felt the sharp sting of pain. All that was left was an endless exhaustion.

Thirty days. Was the cooling-off period really this long?

He rubbed his tired eyes. In a moment of distraction, he didn't see the car in front of him making an illegal reverse. He slammed right into it.

After a deafening crash, his leg was pinned by the twisted car door, blood pouring out.

The color drained from his face, and a cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

Even through the searing pain, he managed to stay lucid enough to call 911.

In the emergency room, the doctor examined him. It wasn't a life-threatening injury, but it would require a small procedure. He told Julian to contact his family.

Julian's parents lived out of state, so he called Helena.

He dialed over a dozen times, but she didn't pick up once.

He thought of her now, surrounded by colleagues and friends, the man she'd secretly loved for years right by her side. They were probably drinking and laughing, celebrating life.

What time would she have for his call?

A nurse, seeing him unable to reach anyone, asked kindly, "Sir, is your wife really unable to come?"

Julian shook his head, his voice surprisingly calm.

"We're already divorced. Just a few more days until it's final."

The nurse was taken aback by this.

"But you're still legally married, right? Surely she can come and sign the consent form."

Memories of their three-year marriage flooded Julian's mind.

To have a single meal with her, he had waited up countless nights, only to be told she was working late and wouldn't be home.

To find common ground with her, he studied legal statutes, only to be dismissed as a "layman" who didn't know what he was talking about.

To make her happy, he planned a surprise for her birthday, only to be met with a tired, "I'm exhausted, I don't have the energy."

From beginning to end, he was the only one trying to maintain this relationship.

Every single memory was proof that she had never loved him.

Helena wouldn't come. Julian couldn't lie to himself anymore.

"A wife who can't even be reached when her husband is in a car accident... what's the point of her coming?"

The nurse sighed, her eyes filled with sympathy.

"Then maybe you should call a friend."

For the next few days, it was Gabe who took care of Julian.

Helena only got the news four or five days later and rushed to the hospital. When she saw the wound on his ankle, her face was a mask of confusion.

"You were in an accident. Why didn't you tell me?"

Julian was about to explain, but when he looked up at her expression, the memory of those dozen unanswered calls came flooding back.

He swallowed the words stuck in his throat, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"You were busy. I didn't want to bother you with something so minor."

Hearing this, a flicker of guilt crossed Helena's face. She decided to explain what had happened a few days ago.

"Julian, Milo and I just happened to run into each other that day. Don't overthink it."

"Is his divorce finalized?"

It was a strange question coming from him. Helena's eyes widened in surprise, but she answered truthfully.

"It's done. They're officially divorced."

The smile on Julian's face deepened. He spoke in a low voice, "Well, congratulations to you, then."

"I hope mine goes just as smoothly."

Helena didn't understand what he meant by that. She was about to ask when her phone rang again.

Seeing the caller ID, she hesitated for a moment before stepping out into the hallway to take the call.

When she returned half an hour later, she found the door to the hospital room slightly ajar. Julian's voice drifted out.

"Yeah, just waiting for the cooling-off period to end. Fifteen more days, and I'll finally be free."

The image of that settlement agreement flashed in her mind.

Remembering his cryptic comment from earlier, Helena’s heart suddenly hammered against her ribs. She threw the door open.

"Cooling-off period? Who's getting a divorce?"