Reborn, I don’t care my husband anymore

The streets of City A were jam-packed with traffic, the kind that makes your car horn itch to blare but mostly just leaves you stuck in a slow crawl.

I’d been camped out in this café called “Encounter” for two solid hours, holed up in a corner booth that faced the counter.

There was this young girl working behind the bar, decked out in a sky-blue apron that looked like it might swallow her whole. She was maybe 5’3” tops, couldn’t have weighed more than 100 pounds—pale skin, all legs and arms, and she had this smile that popped up like a jack-in-the-box every time someone ordered.

The place smelled like a mix of burnt sugar and strong coffee, and every time the door jingled, a blast of city noise would rush in before settling back into the hum of the espresso machine.

I’d been nursing the same cold brew for so long, the ice had melted into a watery mess.

But watching her flit around—grabbing syrups off the shelf, wiping down the counter with a rag that looked like it had seen better days, laughing at something a regular customer said—made the time feel l......

These three were my closest friends. In my past life, when William destroyed my family in his obsessive love, they'd been the ones to help me. Though we couldn't defeat William, their loyalty in hardship left a lasting mark on my heart.

So I told them about my plan to divorce William—omitting the part about being reborn.

After a moment of silence, they burst into applause. "Yes! To celebrating Alice breaking free from love brainrot! We don't get drunk, we get legendary tonight!"

"Cheers!" I shouted, raising my bony arms high. I could almost see myself post-divorce, free to chase a new life, leaving my past tragedies far behind.

With a few drinks in us, the four of us grew bold.

Sasha clapped my shoulder. "Alice, see any cute guys here? Don't hesitate—go for it! William's always in gossips，we can't lose!"

"H-has a point..." I slurred, scanning the room drunkenly until my gaze landed on a tall, lean figure. From his clothes, he looked young—maybe a college student?

If William could date a college girl, I could date a college boy.

I staggered over with my wine glass, tapping the boy's shoulder. "H......

"Iriqe, go to a domestic agency and find some reliable aunts, especially those who cook exceptionally well—preferably with nutritionist certifications," I instructed from the backseat, surrounded by tonic packets.

"Yes, Madam," Iriqe replied.

After marrying William, both sets of parents had suggested hiring servants for cleaning, gardening, and cooking, but my lovesick self had refused. I'd seen our home as a "nest of love," convinced any extra person would interfere with our "romance"—like "making love from the living room to the kitchen." Spoiler: I'd lived more like a widow than a wife.

Reborn, I wasn't about to repeat such delusions.

At home, I led the way with my Prada tote, Iriqe trailing with tonics. As I opened the door, William descended the stairs, adjusting his cufflinks—a casually gesture.

"Iriqe, you can leave," I said, dropping my bag.

Iriqe placed the tonics on the table, bowed to William, and hurried out.

"There's a cocktail party in an hour. Your parents will be there. Get ready to come with me,"

William said flatly, ignoring the tonics. He only took me to events where my family's presence added value.

I hadn......

"Oh, my child, what's wrong? You must have been wronged by William. Tomorrow, I'll go to the Brown family and demand an explanation for bullying my daughter..." My mother was startled, quickly sitting on the bed to hug me.

"Mom, William didn't bully me. I'm just too touched by how good you are to me..." I choked, clinging to my mother's waist. William hadn't truly bullied me—everything was my own one-sided obsession. He was an honest villain, and I was a foolish admirer.

My mother patted my back, sighing deeply. As an only child, she knew me best—how could she not see the harness I'd endured with William? I wasn't one to cry easily; these tears held years of silent pain.

"Still want the chicken noodles?" she asked.

"Yes, I've been craving it..." I wiped my tears, crawling out of bed to follow her downstairs, sniffling. My father was already asleep; in the quiet dining room, my mother and I chatted as I devoured most of the noodles. After years of barely eating, my stomach cramped from the sudden feast, nearly making me vomit.

"Eat slower—you'll bloat and can't sl......

I froze—so Yulia had hired escorts?

Thanks to the alcohol, I deliberately stood on tiptoe and leaned close to the man. "We'll see if I can stand being lonely."

I turned and walked away. I wasn't really interested in this type of man, especially one who so obviously had ulterior motives.

Yulia was just behind me, up to something. When she saw me approaching, she scurried back to her seat.

"My tolerance is shot. I need to go sleep," I said, clutching my head. Getting too drunk would mean a scolding from Mom.

"Me too—I have work tomorrow. Ugh," Oliva sighed, sounding unenthusiastic about her job.

Yulia pouted. "It's still early! If you both leave, I'll be bored. Fine, let's go!"

She paid the bill, waved to the guys, and the three of us left. We each called a driver. Before parting, Yulia grinned like a mischief-maker. "Alice, d'you think William will get jealous seeing you drink with hot guys?"

"Don't mention him—it's bad luck," I said from my car, waving her off.

" Heehee, bye!" She hopped into her BMW, still giggling.

I told Iriqe to d......

This game was getting interesting. I lifted the herbal medicine, blew gently, and took a sip—then spat it all out, gagging at the bitterness.

William, who'd returned without my notice, stood at the door removing his shoes. His look of disgust was palpable. "If you can't handle it, stop drinking."

"Since when do you care?" I wiped my mouth, eyeing him suspiciously. "Why are you back again?"

He yanked off his tie, every movement sharp yet elegant.

"It's my home too. Problem?" He sat across from me, expression blank.

"Right." I nodded, forcing another sip. Too bitter—even my black-coffee tolerance couldn't handle this. I spat again, some of the dark liquid splashing his face and shirt.

His face fell, eyes narrowing.

I mumbled an apology, too bitter to speak, and dabbed his face with a tissue—my last act of courtesy.

He swatted my hand away. The loathing in his eyes startled me, reigniting familiar pain.

"Sorry. It's too bitter." I dropped the tissue, voice scoffeedy.

William didn't reply, heading upstairs to change.

Luna entered then, efficiently cleaning the mess. She was more diligent and attentive than the others.

......

I stared at him blankly as he sneered, "So it was all an act."

"What?" I frowned, confused.

"Aren't you supposed to be over me?" William reached out, roughly rubbing my lower lip with his thumb. "Turns out you're just playing hard to get in front of friends. New strategy, Alice?"

So he'd been testing me—with that humiliating kiss. My senses snapped back as I quickly redressed, forcing calm.

"Is this necessary?" I looked up at him, torn between grief and ridicule. "William,I'm not playing games. You're just unused to my indifference. It's like a loyal dog suddenly stopping wagging—of course you're annoyed, but you'll get over it."

"Are you the dog then?" he mocked, unaffected by my bitterness.

"Don't you know the answer?" I clutched my rumpled collar, voice hollow.

William wasn't some naive boy—he'd always known of my feelings, especially after my many confessions. To him, I was just another admirer lucky enough to marry him.

He scoffed, satisfied, suddenly cheerful. "Go shower."

With that, he left the bathroom.

I slammed the door and rushed to the mirror, mortified by my flushed face. How could I have almost f......

"Ah? You want to join?" Sasha asked, surprised.

"Of course, if there's a good opportunity. What else am I supposed to do?" I'd considered joining our family company, but my heart wasn't in it. With my parents still healthy, I had time to revisit my dreams.

Sasha slapped her thigh. "I've been meaning to say—you were the cello goddess at A University! Wasting away as a housewife? I'll recommend you for any elegant concerts I get invited to!"

I clasped my hands in thanks. "I owe you one! I'm paying for tonight—no holding back!"

After drinks, we parted ways. As I called Iriqe for a ride, a familiar voice called out, "Alice?"

I turned to see John.

"John, what are you doing here?"

"Part-time job nearby. Just finished. Have you been drinking?" He must have smelled the alcohol.

I nodded, clutching my head. "John, can you drive?"

"Sure. I can take you if you're not up to it."

What a good kid. I tossed him the keys and canceled Iriqe.

"Alice, is this... your car?" John eyed the black Panamera, surprise and envy flashing in his eyes.

"Yeah. Navigate to Romance Mans......