Chapter 10
A few days later, it was Julia and Nathan’s wedding anniversary.
Nathan knew she hadn’t been herself lately, so he skipped the usual birthday bash he’d throw for her. Instead, he spent the whole afternoon in the kitchen, cooking all her favorite things.
“I remember you once said your dad’s sweet–and–sour ribs were the best,” Nathan said as he set a piece onto her plate. “I’ve been secretly practicing for three months, Julia. Will you try it?”
Julia picked up the rib and put it in her mouth, barely tasting it at first. But the flavor was spot–on: tangy, just the right amount of sweet, crisp on the outside and tender inside. It really did remind her of her dad’s cooking.
“Do you like it?” Nathan’s eyes lit up with hope, like a kid waiting for a gold star.
“It’s good.” She put down her chopsticks. “Thank you.”
Nathan’s smile froze for a heartbeat, but he pulled himself together quickly. “I have one
hore heard
gift for you. Wait right here, I’ll-”
He was about to head to the bedroom when his phone rang, sharp and sudden. Whatever he made his face cloud over. After a moment, he grabbed his jacket and walked over.
“Julia, Sarah’s in trouble. I have to go check on her, but I’ll be back soon. I’ll give you your gift when I return, okay?”
Julia took a sip of water. “Go.“}]
Nathan looked almost relieved. He gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead, grabbed his keys, and rushed out.
As the door clicked shut, Julia glanced at the clock on the wall. 8:15 p.m.
There were less than ten hours left until the waiting period for their divorce was over.
She got up, cleared the plates, and dumped most of the untouched food into the trash.
By 11 p.m., Sarah called.>
“Julia,” Sarah’s voice was thick with tears, but there was something smug underneath. “Nathan got stabbed a dozen times protecting me… He’s still in surgery… He cares about me so much… You should come see him.”
Julia leaned against her headboard, flipping through her passport and flight tickets. “No need. Since he was hurt for you, you should look after him.”
She hung up and turned off the lights, but her phone wouldn’t stop buzzing. Nathan’s friends called, one after another.}]
“Julia! Nathan’s badly hurt–he keeps calling your name!“}
“Sure, he was protecting Sarah, but his heart is with you!“}
“Don’t be jealous, just come to the hospital!“>
Julia blocked all their numbers.
At 3 a.m., the front door slammed open.”
Nathan stumbled in, covered in blood, the bandages on his chest already soaked through. He staggered to Julia and collapsed into her arms, the sharp smell of blood filling the room.
“Julia, why didn’t you come to the hospital?” His voice was hoarse and thick. “I’m your husband… I almost died. Don’t you care?”
His grip was almost painful, but Julia didn’t push him away. “You got hurt for Sarah. It has nothing to do with me.”
Nathan froze, then held her tighter. “I risked my life for her this once. I’ve paid her back. Please, don’t be mad anymore. I swear, even if she dies in front of me, I’ll never leave you again. If I do, may lightning strike me–“–
“No need to swear,” Julia broke in, her voice calm.
Your promises have never meant anything.
But Nathan took her calm for forgiveness, hope flickering across his pale face. “So you believe me? Will you come to the hospital with me now? My wounds hurt so much…”
“I have a cold.” She pushed him gently away. “You should go back to the hospital and get some rest.”
Nathan looked like he wanted to argue, but the door burst open again.
Sarah rushed in and froze at the sight of them. “Nathan!” she cried, grabbing his hand. “You just got out of surgery–how could you sneak out? Your stitches are bleeding! If you keep this up, you’ll die! Please, come back to the hospital with me!”
Nathan shook her off and, sweating from pain, stumbled to the closet. He pulled out one of Julia’s old silk nightgowns, the one that still smelled faintly of jasmine.
“Julia, I’m taking this with me…” He looked at her, pleading. “When you’re better, will you come to the hospital?“>
Julia managed a small, cold smile.
Me didn’t know that, come tomorrow, she’d finally be free.
But to keep things simple, she nodded.
That was all he needed. Nathan finally left for the hospital.N
Once he was gone, Julia stood at the door and watched his car disappear down the street. She whispered her last words to him.
“Nathan, goodbye. For good.”N
When the civil office opened, Julia was the first one through the door.
After checking her paperwork, the clerk handed her two divorce certificates.}
“Congratulations. You’re officially divorced.”\
Julia smiled, feeling a rush of relief.
She wrapped Nathan’s copy and sent it out for delivery. Then she grabbed her luggage and called a cab to the airport.
People bustled everywhere.
Julia pushed her suitcase, then paused for one last look at the city she’d called home for over twenty years.
She took out her phone, popped out the SIM card, snapped it in half, and tossed it in the trash.
When her flight was called, she walked to security without a single glance back.
Nathan, from now on, Julia’s life
has nothing to do with you.
