The Marriage Equation

His first love barged into my office and stood before me, mocking, "He doesn't love you at all."

I rolled my eyes. "I don't know whether he loves me, but I am Mrs. Brooke now. And who are you, exactly?"

I was surprised that there was still someone so clueless in this day and age.

Marriage was all about mutual benefit; the idea of love was downright ridiculous.

To me, Noah was just a means to an end—a tool that would double my worth.

I had never taken him seriously.

When I graduated from Saint Martin University, my classmates and I celebrated by partying at a bar for three whole days.

At that moment, Noah Brooke was tangled up with his first love, his dream lover. I'd seen her picture once in his wallet—fair skin, stunning looks, and long, slender legs. She was just another pretty face, blending in with a sea of similar types.

I caught another glimpse of that photo later on Noah's social media.

Alice Larson, sitting beside me, chuckled. "She has a face that inspires zero desire—fresh but so bland."

Maybe first loves are like that—a delicate little flower swaying in the wind, evoking sympathy.

Noah, like most men, had poor taste.

My flight back home landed at 3:00 AM, and the cold wind in Sylverwood stung my face like tiny needles. I wrapped my scarf tightly around my neck, dragging my suitcase behind me.

I instinctively returned to the apartment on Moonfall Avenue, our little love nest.

After knocking for what felt like ages with no response, I had no choice but to call the property management office.

The commotion probably woke someone up. The door creaked open, but it wasn't Noah who appeared; it was his half-brother, Howard Brooke.

He looked like he had just rolled out of bed, wearing silk pajamas and sporting a messy hairdo. He rubbed his eyes continuously, clearly groggy.

"Teagan Reed?" he mumbled, and once he recognized me, he swallowed hard. "Teagan, listen to me. There's nothing going on between Noah and that woman!"

I pushed past him, forcing my way inside.

The apartment was empty.

Howard grabbed my arm from behind, and as I stumbled, we both fell onto the carpet.

Frustration bubbled inside me as I struggled against him but to no avail. Something ignited in him, and he trapped me in place while growling, "Teagan, you are asking for it."

I wrapped my hands around his neck, and his face turned bright red as a dark smile spread across his lips.

When I opened my eyes again, the sun was high in the sky, its glare piercing through the windows.

My throat was dry, so I got up to find some water. I noticed Howard's cigarettes lying around and lit one up, taking a long drag.

Unbeknownst to me, he had silently approached and wrapped his arms around me from behind.

His voice was low and serious. "I'll go talk to my dad and make sure you two get a divorce."

I pushed him away and extinguished the cigarette. "No need."

He didn't give up easily, his bright eyes dimming in an instant. "What do you mean, no need? With him treating you like that, how can you just let it go?"

I grabbed some clothes and stepped into the bathroom, shutting the door firmly behind me to keep him out.

Let it go?

What was there to let go of?

When I finished getting ready and stepped out, the room was already empty.

My stomach started rumbling, so I rummaged through the fridge for some frozen food to cook.

I lingered in the apartment until evening, then packed up my things to head back home.

That momentary indulgence left me feeling fuzzy-headed; returning home was the only way to face reality clearly.

As soon as I turned on my phone, I saw a missed call from Noah.

I chose not to return it.

Once in my bedroom, I opened my laptop to work on some research. My studies were complete, but I had no idea what my future held.

When I was studying in Argusia, I'd made up my mind to try starting my own business when I returned home.

Working for someone else was out of the question—it was never going to happen.

As the stars twinkled outside, I opened the window, letting in the cool night air that gradually cleared my mind.

My phone rang again.

I answered, and the noise on the other end was chaotic.

"Teagan, I'm giving you one last chance."

Noah sounded a little tipsy, slurring his words as laughter from other men echoed around him.

I felt a wave of irritation wash over me. "What chance?"

Noah scoffed, "The chance to make up."

I replied flatly, "No need."

After a moment of silence, he laughed derisively. "Very well, Teagan. You're something else."

I hung up the phone and returned to my work.

It was already 3:00 AM, and I had lost count of how many sleepless nights I'd endured.

Before I returned to the country, I had visited the most renowned therapist in Pergam.

He told me I was suffering from severe depression and needed to be hospitalized for treatment.