I remembered the first time I shadowed James at work. The sight of mangled bodies would make me throw up, but James would always stay focused, finishing the makeup professionally. Afterwards, he'd pat my back gently and say, "These bodies are someone's loved ones. We need to show respect."

That's why I grew to respect both his profession and him.

I even fought tooth and nail to convince my disapproving parents to accept his job.

Dad had pulled me aside once, saying, "If things ever get rough, you can always come home. We'll take care of you."

Looking back, maybe they saw the red flags I missed.

My thoughts started to drift.

James was now arranging my limbs, preparing to remove and clean my jewelry.

He started with my bracelet, then noticed my wedding ring.

I thought he'd recognize it, but he only paused briefly before moving on without a second glance.

Of course he wouldn't recognize it. Apart from our wedding day, he never wore his ring, let alone paid attention to mine.

But then he noticed the scar on my thigh.

I got it when I fell during our mountain hike together. It never really faded away.

I'd complained to James back then: "This scar is so ugly."

He'd just glanced at it, poked my forehead, and said flatly, "Consider it a lesson learned."

But later, when Wendy fell while abroad, he'd rushed her to the hospital, insisting they prevent any scarring.

When I joked that he and Wendy seemed more like a couple, he'd shot me a cold look: "She's alone in a foreign country. Don't be ridiculous."

My smile had frozen on my face.

I'd moved to a strange city for him too, yet he had no problem letting me take cabs alone at midnight.

Now, as he traced the scar on my thigh, a flicker of doubt crossed his face.

He stepped away, pulled out his phone, and tried calling me. The automatic message played immediately: "The number you're trying to reach is currently turned off..."

James frowned, running his fingers through his hair in frustration before texting:

"Caroline, we're adults here. Stop being childish. Keep ignoring my calls and we're getting divorced."

Floating above, I watched with a bitter smile.

I would've answered if I could, but wasn't I lying right there in front of him?