4
Dinner was served – all of Lily and Emily’s
favorite dishes.
“I’m just getting the soup. Dig in,” John said,
and Emily jumped up.
<
“I’ll grab the bowls and spoons.”
99
Lily, not wanting to be left out, skipped after
Emily. “I’ll help, Ms. Evans!”
Watching them together, I felt like a stranger.
A guest who had overstayed her welcome.
“Sarah, I got these shrimp fresh at the market
this morning. They’re so sweet,” Emily said with
a smile, piling the dish onto my plate.
The food was delicious.
Thanks to Emily, John’s cooking had gotten so
much better over the years.
He was a natural, mastering every recipe.
I remembered when we first got married.
We ate takeout every night. The kitchen was
just a showpiece.
It wasn’t until Emily got sick from skipping
meals to take care of Lily that John had started
experimenting in the kitchen.
I also remember when I felt sick, and had asked
him to pick me up from the unit and take me to
the hospital.
He verbally agreed.
But he didn’t come.
<
But he didn’t come.
When I saw him again, I had a miscarriage, and
he was meticulously taking care of Emily in the
ward.
After that, my love for John gradually faded.
I didn’t want to argue with him, I didn’t want to
stay in this house.
I often stayed at work, burying myself in my
research.
Even when I had a breakthrough, I didn’t want
to share it with John.
Dinner ended.
Emily took Lily to the playground as usual.
John cleared the table.
I sat on the sofa, feeling completely
disconnected.
I had planned to stay the night, talk to John
about the past, discuss the future.
Even without love, we could part with dignity.
But there was no point.
I placed the divorce papers on John’s desk,
along with a note that he could have his lawyer
contact mine.
I packed a ban with a change of clothes and
<
I packed a bag with a change of clothes and
walked out the door.
Hearing the door open, John came out of the
kitchen.
He frowned. “Leaving again? Where to?”
I hesitated. “Back to work.”
His face darkened, his voice dripping with
sarcasm. “Why don’t you just stay gone? Every
time you come back, you wear that miserable
look on your face. I have to tiptoe around, even
make you dinner… It’s disgusting.”
Disgusting?
Had we really reached this point?
I looked down, my voice barely a whisper. “You
won’t have to make me dinner anymore.”
When I looked up, my eyes were clear. “John,
thank you for everything. I wish you happiness.”
I stepped back and walked out the door.
The sound of something shattering echoed
behind me.
No regrets.
I went downstairs.
A green military vehicle waited.
<
A young soldier snapped to attention and
opened the door for me.
“Ms. Miller, aren’t you leaving tomorrow? What happened?”
I said, “I want to get settled in. Besides, I’m
better off busy than dwelling on it.”
He didn’t press.
The engine started, and the car pulled away. Through the window, I saw Lily and Emily
playing happily in the park, solidifying my resolve.
