“It’s just a plain band for now,” he’d said, “but one day, I’ll get you a bigger, brighter diamond.”
We once lived in a tiny basement apartment. There was no heating in the winter, so we’d hold each other tight to stay warm. In the summer, it was
so hot that he’d take me to sleep in the park.
My mother saw all of this. She felt for me, so she sold everything she owned to help Christian start his business.
When Christian earned his first big success, he bought a large apartment in the city center with 24–hour climate control.
In front of my mother, he swore he would be good to me for the rest of his life. My mother was moved to tears. “You two just have to be good to
each other,” was all she said.
I, too, had been full of hope, believing our lives were finally looking up.
But in just a few short years, everything had changed.
Christian had an affair.
My mother was diagnosed with cancer. The treatment cost hundreds of thousands a year. If it weren’t for Christian’s support, I would have lost
her long ago.
But now…
“You don’t have to trouble yourself. Thank you.”
I ended the meeting with polite detachment and walked out the door.
8
As I walked out of Christian’s company building, I heard Lily’s voice behind me.
“Ms. Kingsley.”
She walked up to me and coquettishly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Thank you for letting Christian go and giving us your blessing.
Chapter 2
I saw the bright, triumphant smile on her face. She looked like a victor gloating over her prize.
“Don’t mention it. I just hope you don’t end up like me,” I said with a small smile. A little warning from someone who’s been there.
11:19 0
The smile on Lily’s face faltered for a second, but she quickly recovered. “How could I end up like you? You’ve seen how much Christian loves me.”
She was referring to something that had happened a long time ago.
Christian had taken her to a party with his friends. During the party, one of his friends casually brought up something about Christian and me.
“One time,” the friend had said, “Christian came back really late from a business meeting, and Claire had waited for him outside, sleeping on a bench. Some homeless guy tried to molest her.”
Lily, nestled in Christian’s arms, had wrinkled her nose in disgust. “Ew, that’s so dirty,” she’d said.
I don’t know if she meant me sleeping on a bench or being accosted by a homeless man.
Either way, the room had erupted in laughter.
I was standing right outside the door. I had come to catch them in the act, but hearing that, I felt like I had been plunged into an icy hell: I was froz- en, burning with shame.
What paralyzed me completely was Christian’s reaction. He sat on the sofa, his arm loosely around Lily, a faint smile on his face as he listened to
the mocking laughter. He looked completely unbothered, as if they were talking about a stranger, not the woman he had once sworn to protect
with his life.
Later, during a drinking game, Christian had leaned back and let Lily feed him a shot of liquor from her mouth. At her playful command, he had slurred the words, “Claire… dirty.”
That was probably one of Lily’s proudest victories in our little war.
She was clearly still pleased with herself, the smile on her face deepening.
I looked at her and didn’t forget to add, “But have you forgotten what I did that night? If you can’t remember, I don’t mind helping you relive it.”
Lily’s face changed instantly.
I knew she hadn’t forgotten.
That night, I had stormed into the room in a blind rage. I’d ripped her off of Christian and, before anyone could react, slapped her twice, hard. I’d
then pinned her down on the coffee table.
“What’s so funny?!” I’d screamed. “Do you know what happened to that homeless man?”
J
I’d smashed a wine bottle, and in the sound of shattering glass, Lily had shrieked in terror. I’d held the jagged edge of the bottle to her cheek, letti-
ng her tremble and squirm beneath me.
“I stabbed him until he couldn’t move. Just like this.”
“Claire!”
“Sis–in–law!”
The room had gone silent.
It was Christian who finally stopped me. He’d grabbed me and thrown me aside. Lily, her face pale, had shrunk behind him, whimpering, “Christian,
save me!”
Christian’s eyes had blazed with fury. He’d raised his hand to strike me, but then he’d met my raw, hateful gaze, and he’d frozen.
“Claire…”
“You don’t dare hit me, do you, Christian?”
But I dared.
In that moment of his hesitation, I’d slapped him across the face with all my strength, My hand had trembled uncontrollably afterward,
Chapter 2
That was the beginning of the end for us.
After that day, Christian asked for a divorce, moved out of our home, and moved in with Lily.
10
Lily was afraid of me. She knew that when I snapped, I was truly unhinged.
She shot me a resentful glare. “Let’s see how arrogant you are after Christian divorces you!”
“You don’t have to worry about that,” I retorted, then turned and walked away.
11 19
When I got home, I started packing. Even though I was keeping the house, I had no intention of staying. Looking at everything in it now, after years
of torturing each other, only made me feel more disgusted.
I listed the house for sale as quickly as I could and booked a flight. Christian had given me a lot of money; I might as well spend it. I decided to take
a trip, clear my head, and come back when it was time to finalize the divorce.
The day before I left, I received a new message.
[Ms. Kingsley, hello. This is the creator of Time Capsule. Your interview video will be posted on Sunday at 7 PM. I just want to confirm one last
time… are you sure you don’t mind?]
I wasn’t surprised to see the message.
You might not believe this, but the day after I saw Christian and Lily’s video, I was wandering aimlessly through the streets. And, by some strange
twist of fate, I was also stopped for a street interview.
The same creator, the same question.
It was so ridiculous, I almost laughed. But fate, it seemed, had a strange sense of humor.
I didn’t refuse the interview. In fact, as I gave my answer, I couldn’t help but wonder: if Christian saw my video, how would he feel?
[I don’t mind. Post it as you wish.] I replied.
At the same time, I packed my last bag and walked away, free.
11
(Christian’s Perspective)
After six months of separation, Christian received his first call from Claire.
He expected her to start another round of unreasonable harassment and cursing.
But to his surprise, she was calm, a stark contrast to her usual hysterics.
“Christian, I agree to the divorce,” she told him.
He frowned instinctively. His first thought was–what divorce?
Seeing his confusion, Lily, beside him, whispered a reminder. It was only then that Christian remembered what he’d said to Claire when he moved
out six months ago.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. If you have time, let’s meet and sign the papers.”
Claire hung up after she said her piece. The doubt in his heart deepened, but before he could figure it out, Lily wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Did your wife just say she agrees to a divorce? Is it true?”
“Yes”
“That’s great! Now no one will bother you anymore.”
Lily was happier than he was, pressing herself against him excitedly. In the past, her youthful passion would have easily ignited a fire in him. But now, Christian couldn’t bring himself to feel happy.
He had never actually wanted to divorce Claire. He had said it to scare her. Why had she suddenly agreed?
