I didn’t argue, saying, “I know. I’ll handle it.”
Minutes later, Jack’s mother–in–law texted
me his room number and care instructions.
I ignored it, lounging on the couch and
watching a show.
A week later, I bought flowers and fruit and
went to the hospital.
“Grace, you’re doing this on purpose! You
only show up after Jack’s discharged! If you
don’t want to care for him, just say so. Now
you’re playing the good wife!”
I recognized Lily’s voice.
I turned and met Jack’s eyes. He was
overjoyed.
“Nena, you finally came.”
Lily threw Jack’s bag down.
“Jack! I took care of you, all night! Not her!”
<
Jack looked at Lily coldly.
“I told you, you’re clinging to me. Now my wife’s here. Leave if you have any shame.”
Lily, young and emotional, cried and wouldn’t
leave.
As onlookers gathered, I said to Jack, “You’re
wrong. I’m not here to see you.
وو
He didn’t believe me. He held my arm,
showing me his blue amulet.
“Nena, look, I made a new cord. Your favorite
rainbow colors.”
“Nena, I’ve been looking for you. You’re
here.”
A handsome young man approached. I
recognized him from the wedding–the best
man, my friend’s cousin.
He took the flowers and fruit, smiled, and
said, “Let’s go.”
“Who is he?”
Jack asked through gritted teeth.
L
“A friend,” I said.
“A friend who calls you Nena?!”
His face was contorted with anger. I’d never
seen him like this.
Co
Grace, did you cheat?”
It reminded me of a night six months ago,
when I’d seen his chat with Lily. She’d asked
if he’d marry her in another life.
He said: “Even in this life.”
(c
Jack, did you cheat?”
He’d said…
“If you think so.”
Hearing my indifferent tone, he froze, staring
at me like a stranger.
Lily was stunned: “Grace, how shameless!”
I slapped her.
“If you mess with me again, I’ll post your
pictures and messages with Jack online. Try
me.”
Lily, covering her face, trembled but didn’t
<
dare say anything.
Jack asked, “What pictures? Are you
divorcing me over a picture? I don’t agree!”
As I and the young man left, Jack raised his
fist to hit me.
Seeing me protect the young man, his face
turned purple.
“Jack, wash your face,
I examined him. “You’re jealous of a younger
guy? Are you serious?”
His face went white.
He coughed violently, spitting up blood.
I said calmly, “Such a good actor.”
Half an hour later, I left the hospital with
Chen Yan, my friend’s cousin.
”
He joked, “Treat me to dinner, and accept my
friend request, and I’ll forgive you for
dragging me into your mess.”
We had dinner, added each other on social
media, and parted ways.
Someone posted the video of our
confrontation online.
Lily was identified as a minor influencer. Despite her many apologies and account deletions, the scandal spread.
She became a meme.
When things calmed down, Jack made our relationship public at work.
I quickly found a higher–paying job closer to
my apartment.
The day I resigned, Jack knelt before me,
begging me not to go. He said he’d deleted Lily’s contact information and stopped all contact with her family.
Weak and pale, he looked at me, clutching my
wrist, his eyes haunted:
“Grace, I’ve done everything. I’m sorry. Don’t
leave…I’ll die without you.”
I calmly pried his fingers open.
Looking down at his gaunt face, I said, “See
L
you at the courthouse next Monday. If you
don’t show, I’ll file for divorce.”
He finally understood my resolve.
On Monday, he was at the courthouse, and
we finalized our divorce.
After the cooling–off period, we were
officially divorced.
That night, he had a drunk–driving accident. He wasn’t killed, but he injured someone, lost his job, and had to pay damages.
I used my $200,000 settlement to buy a ticket
to South America. I wanted to witness the
great animal migration.
At the airport, I found my friend had sold me out. Chen Yan was on the same flight.
“Grace, if you don’t want me here, I’ll go
back.
“Let’s do this.”
His disappointment turned to joy when he
saw my smile.
The plane took off smoothly.
Looking out the window at the clouds, I felt
free.
[The End]
