Patrick was mid-sentence when the call cut off. He stared at the phone, cursing under his breath.

He knew Theodore’s weak spots well by now.

Within their social circle, marriage and divorce were prevalent occurrences, yet Theodore, the most esteemed individual in the town, viewed divorce as unacceptable. Anyone who brought up divorce with Theodore faced his fury.

Patrick took a deep breath and called again. This time, Theodore picked up quickly, his voice icy. “Did she send you to talk me into a divorce?”

Patrick was shocked. “No, I just hate seeing you both so miserable. Why stay together if it’s that bad?”

“Theodore, are you out of your mind?” Patrick snapped. “Is Phoebe really worth it? Are you that desperate for love?”

Theodore’s laugh was rough and bitter. “Yeah, I’m nuts. I know she doesn’t love me, but I still give her my heart.”

Patrick clenched his teeth.

“Patrick, how many guys are as great as me in this country? Can she be wrong for not liking me?” Theodore’s voice was heavy with sorrow.

Patrick had never witnessed Theodore in this state before. He felt a twinge of empathy. “Let’s grab a drink. I’ll be by your side until we’re both completely intoxicated.” Theodore said, “One pity party is enough. She won’t care.”

Patrick stayed calm, thinking Theodore deserved some pity after the breakup. “Even if you get drunk, I won’t call her to pick you up. Trust me!”

There was a pause, then the call ended.

Patrick was pissed. Who was heartbroken and needed a drink? Why was he the one acting like a fool?

A few seconds later, Theodore texted him the address of a bar.

Heartbreak hits everyone the same, whether you’re a big shot or a nobody.

Patrick canceled his plans and rushed to the bar. Theodore was already there, drinking.

He walked over and took off his mask. “What’s going on with you two now?

Theodore wasn’t drinking as fast as before. He gave a bitter smile. “I wonder what’s going on with us.”

Patrick was speechless.

He poured himself a drink, downed it, and slammed the glass down. “Theodore, have you ever told Phoebe you like her?”

Theodore looked stunned. “I don’t think so.”

“Don’t think so?” Patrick almost laughed in anger. “You’ve never confessed, so what are you heartbroken about? Do I need to remind you how you two got married?”

If Theodore hadn’t slept with Phoebe and gotten her pregnant, would they even be married?

Theodore’s face darkened. “I haven’t forgotten, so I can’t say it.”

“Have you ever thought that because you can’t say it, she can’t feel your love, and that’s why you two are drifting apart?” Patrick asked.

Patrick wasn’t a love expert, but after years of acting, he’d seen this script before. Whether it’s family, friendship, or love, the root cause of estrangement is often a lack of open and honest communication. Theodore looked puzzled. “Is that so?”

“At least give it a try. Isn’t that easier than strangling her?” Patrick said, exasperated. Theodore had been so smart in school, but when it came to Phoebe, he seemed clueless. Theodore stayed silent.

He downed his drink in one gulp and, fueled by the alcohol, said, “What if she doesn’t like me?”

That was the real reason he had never dared to confess.

“Then you can strangle her again,” Patrick said.

Theodore gave him a haunting look. Patrick sneered. “Don’t blame me for being harsh. Who left those marks on her neck? Seriously, Theodore, I never thought you had violent tendencies.” Theodore lowered his gaze. The bar’s dim lighting cast an amber hue on his drink. “When I saw her pained expression as I strangled her, I did feel a moment of satisfaction.” Patrick was speechless.

He looked at Theodore differently now, as if he were looking at a psychopath.

Theodore seemed oblivious. “Maybe seeing her in pain is the only way to alleviate my own pain of unrequited love.”

“That’s a very dangerous thought!” Patrick was horrified. This prolonged, unrequited love had driven Theodore to madness.

Theodore closed his eyes and downed another drink. “I won’t do it again. Once was enough.”

After Phoebe had stumbled away, his hands had been shaking. The thought that she had almost died at his hands filled him with dread.

Patrick patted his shoulder. “Theodore, give it a try. If she doesn’t love you…”

“If she doesn’t love me, I’ll lock her in a cage so she can’t go anywhere until she loves me,” Theodore said hauntingly.

Patrick stared at Theodore in shock. Theodore’s expression was so serious it didn’t seem like he was joking. Patrick punched him in the chest. “You’re really crazy. Forget it, don’t confess. You two being like death warmed up is probably for the best.”

Patrick was exhausted!

Cindy opened the door to find Phoebe standing outside. She was startled and quickly pulled Phoebe into the apartment. “Phoebe, you look terrible!”

Not noticing the men’s shoes, Phoebe said, “I just got out of the hospital. I’m staying here for a couple of days.”

“Stay as long as you want.” Cindy quickly took the luggage bag from Phoebe’s hand.

Seeing Phoebe’s face as pale as paper and the obvious marks on her neck, she felt both heartache and anger. “Did Theodore do that to your neck? That bastard, how dare he treat you like this?”

Phoebe walked over to the sofa and sat down, hugging a pillow to her chest. She said bitterly, “These kinds of injuries, we’ve gotten used to them over the past couple of years.”

The year after her miscarriage, whenever Theodore was upset, he would take it out on her, often leaving her covered in bruises.

But back then, he wouldn’t strangle her like he did today, wanting to take her life.

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