Hurt and frustrated, Rita went back to her parents' house. Her mother welcomed her inside. Rita sat with her on the couch while the house helper brought her something cold to drink since it was extremely hot outside.
"Mother, I don't think I can live with him," Rita said.
"Why?" her mother asked.
"Because he doesn't like me," Rita replied.
"Rita, that's not a reason," her mother said.
"Mom, he doesn't even treat me well," Rita replied immediately.
"Did he hit you?" her mother asked.
"No," Rita answered hurriedly.
"Is he having an affair?" her mother asked again.
Rita sighed. "No, Mom."
"Then what's the issue?"
"He lied to me," Rita said.
"Men lie all the time. If every woman started asking for a divorce because of that, then everyone would end up living alone," her mother replied.
"Mom, he doesn't love me," Rita said irritably.
"Did you try to make him love you?" her mother asked while looking at her.
"Mom, if someone doesn't like you, that means they don't," Rita replied, trying to stay calm.
"Rita, do you know how much your father invested in their business?" her mother said seriously.
"What do you want me to do? Fall at his feet for your investment?" Rita said furiously.
"From what you've told me, I don't find any fault in him," her mother replied.
"But he doesn't want to be with me," Rita said.
"Did he tell you that?" her mother asked.
"Yes," Rita answered quietly.
"Okay then, let's go. I'll talk to him," her mother said.
"Mom, no!" Rita immediately protested. Rita had never shared things openly with her mother, so she did not know how to explain that Gilbert's actions had made her feel disgusting and unwanted.
"I want a divorce," Rita said firmly.
"Rita, you can stay here for as many days as you want, but I will not support you in this," her mother replied.
Rita angrily stood up from the couch and walked out of the house. She felt like her family enjoyed seeing her humiliated.
"Where are you going?" her mother asked.
"You don't have to worry about me," Rita replied.
She went to the beach and sat alone under a tree. She did not want to cry, but tears rolled down her cheeks uncontrollably.
A person came and sat beside her, handing her a handkerchief.
"Archer?" she said in surprise.
"Handkerchief," Archer corrected jokingly as he handed it to her properly.
Rita quickly wiped her tears. "What are you doing here?"
"My company is nearby," Archer replied.
"Oh." Although she could not see any companies around the area, she did not question him.
"Are you okay?" he asked gently.
"Yes," she replied.
Archer got up and bought a fresh lemonade for her.
"Drink this."
"Thanks," Rita said softly.
"Do you want to share?" Archer asked.
Rita looked at him in confusion, unsure whether she should speak or not.
"People say sharing your problems makes you feel lighter," he continued.
"It's not that I can't share," Rita replied sadly. "It's just that my problems are so weird that I don't even know how to explain them."
"Then just say what you feel," Archer said.
Rita smiled bitterly. "What would you do if someone felt disgusted by you?"
Archer immediately understood she was talking about Gilbert.
"I would say that person is lying," Archer replied. "No one could feel disgusted by you."
"Not everyone is like you," Rita said quietly. She did not know how to react to compliments because no one had ever given her any before.
"You're pretty and brave. You faced all those bullies alone," Archer said while looking at her sincerely.
Rita shyly looked away from him. "I'm not brave."
"You don't have to see yourself through their eyes," Archer said.
"But even in my own eyes, I don't feel beautiful," Rita admitted softly.
"Then look at yourself through my eyes," Archer replied, making Rita blush instantly.
He continued gently, "You're beautiful, and you don't need validation from anyone. People see you the same way you see yourself."
Rita still could not look at him directly.
"And when someone compliments you," Archer continued teasingly, "you should just say thank you."
Rita finally turned toward him and said shyly, "Thank you."
"Everyone has their own version of beauty," Archer said softly. "Mine is you."
Rita was so surprised by his comment that she accidentally spilled her lemonade. She had never expected anyone to flirt with her, so she assumed he was only trying to comfort her and did not think too much about it.
Archer laughed seeing her reaction and immediately handed her tissues.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Rita replied awkwardly.
"Are you hungry?" Archer asked.
"No."
"But I am," Archer replied dramatically. "Come on, let me take you to my favorite place."
He took her to eat at his company's canteen.
Rita looked around at the crowded place. "This is your favorite place?"
"Yes. I know you're judging me, but trust me, once you eat here, you'll want to come back again."
After eating, Rita smiled in surprise. "It's actually really good."
"See? I told you," Archer replied proudly.
Rita wanted to pay the bill, but Archer stopped her. Then he asked her to wait outside the company building.
After a while, Archer came back carrying a shopping bag, only to notice Rita was also holding one.
"This is for you," they both said at the same time, making them laugh.
"Okay, you first," Archer said.
"I bought this shirt for you," Rita said shyly.
"Thank you," Archer replied with a smile. "And these are comfortable shoes I bought for you."
Meanwhile, Gilbert was working in his office when he received a message from the bank regarding his credit card bill. At first, he was surprised because Rita had never used his card before.
Then he suddenly realized something.
I've never bought anything for her.
He asked his assistant to come with him so they could buy something for Rita.
On the way, Gilbert's car stopped at a red traffic light. He was sitting in the back seat, and the windows were tinted black so no one could see inside.
Then another car stopped beside his.
Gilbert's expression darkened when he saw Archer behind the wheel with Rita sitting beside him in the front seat. The smile on her face as she talked to Archer made something twist painfully inside him.
Immediately, memories of Archer's words from before flashed through his mind.
Gilbert ordered his driver to follow them.
Later, he realized they were heading toward his house.
Rita went inside, and Gilbert instructed both his driver and assistant to return to the office because he had something else to do.
After they left, Gilbert drove directly to Archer's company himself.
Archer stepped into the elevator, but Gilbert followed him inside.
Archer pressed the button for the fortieth floor.
"What are you doing here?" Archer asked.
Instead of answering, Gilbert pressed the button for the terrace.
"Let's talk."
"I have work, so I can't talk," Archer replied.
When the elevator doors opened on the fortieth floor, Gilbert blocked Archer's way.
"What do you want to talk about?" Archer asked coldly.
The elevator doors opened again on the terrace floor, and Gilbert grabbed Archer's coat, dragging him outside.
They both stood in the center of the terrace.
"What were you doing with Rita earlier?" Gilbert asked.
"Rita?" Archer adjusted his coat calmly. "Yeah, she was with me earlier."
"I'm asking why she was with you," Gilbert replied, his anger rising even though he tried not to show it.
"That has nothing to do with you," Archer replied calmly.
"I'm her husband. I have every right to know."
"She deserves to be with someone better," Archer said bluntly.
Gilbert stepped closer. "Let me tell you something. If you're doing this to provoke me or take revenge on me, then it's useless."
Archer silently observed him.
Gilbert continued, "Because I don't even like her. I'm already planning to divorce her."
Archer let out a cold laugh. "Why do you think everyone is like you? Honestly, it would be better if you divorced her. At least she'd finally be free from your cruelty."
Gilbert looked at him furiously. "I'll do whatever I want, but I'll never let you have her."
He turned to leave.
"Since you admitted yourself that you don't love her," Archer said calmly, "you have no right to interfere between Rita and me."
Seeing Gilbert visibly agitated, Archer continued deliberately, "Anyway, I should go now. I still have to try the shirt Rita gifted me."
Gilbert froze.
He suddenly remembered the credit card notification from earlier and realized Rita had used his card to buy a gift for Archer.
Fury exploded inside him.
Gilbert grabbed Archer by the collar. "Why are you doing this? Aren't you ashamed? She's, my wife."
Archer calmly removed Gilbert's hand from his collar.
"Let's see what happens in the future," Archer replied with a faint smile. "You never know."