The day my sister-in-law suffered a sudden heart attack, the hospital was overwhelmed with its surgery schedule. I called my husband, who is also a doctor, countless times, hoping he could help with her surgery. He hung up on me without any concern, and when I tried again, the line was busy. My sister-in-law missed the critical window for treatment and tragically passed away. In the hospital lobby, I saw a news report on the electronic screen. The main subjects were my husband and his childhood sweetheart. The caption read: “Couple gets lost after an adventurous escapade and urgently seeks help from local police.” A bitter smile forced its way onto my face. Five years of marriage, it’s time to put an end to it. My sister-in-law’s sudden death left me in a stupor for a long time. I dragged my weary body home, feeling as if my soul had been drained. Watching the news replayed on TV, my heart felt like it was plunged into an ice cave. I sat on the couch, dazed, through the entire night. The next day, Declan Johnson came home whistling a tune, but his good mood vanished the moment he saw me. He deftly slipped off his shoes and kicked them aside carelessly. Glancing at the news on TV, he hurried to offer an explanation before I could say anything. “The stuff on TV is all fake. You know my friend works in the media; they use these headlines to grab attention. People these days will do anything for money, no limits.” I sat silently on the couch, too tired to listen to his excuses. Seeing my expressionless face, he frowned. Then he pulled out a lipstick from his pocket and tossed it to me. “Here’s your birthday gift. Don’t say I don’t care about you.” I opened the lipstick cap stiffly. My last bit of hope vanished at that moment. It was a used lipstick, the exact shade Phoebe Taylor wore in the video. There were even traces on the collar of his white shirt. Yesterday was my birthday, and my sister-in-law had taken a high-speed train from out of town to celebrate with me. She knew Declan and I had been in a cold war for days. She wanted to use this opportunity to mediate between us. Who knew she would suddenly suffer a heart attack, taking her young life away. Seeing the used lipstick, a flicker of guilt crossed Declan’s face. He hastily shoved the lipstick back into his pocket and awkwardly tried to explain himself. “Last night, I worked overtime until late, and we had a gathering. A female colleague had the same lipstick, probably got mixed up. I’ll bring it back tomorrow.” “It was too late, and I didn’t want to disturb you, so I stayed at a colleague’s place.” His explanation was weak, and his eyes were evasive. I couldn’t help but respond sarcastically. My husband of five years, when did he become such a liar? I gave a cold laugh. If he was really working overtime, his own sister wouldn’t have died. After all, Declan is a top physician. Seeing him explain so earnestly, I coldly responded. “Oh? Really? So I should thank you for not coming back all night? Be considerate of you?” My attitude seemed to anger him. He glared at me with wide eyes. “Nora Johnson, can’t you be reasonable? For whom am I working overtime all night? Always being sarcastic in front of me? Still have the nerve to throw a tantrum? Have I spoiled you too much?” “What man doesn’t need some personal space? You watch me like a thief every day, you’re not uncomfortable, but I sure as hell am!” His emotions erupted in an instant, the veins on his forehead visibly throbbing. But I remained exceptionally indifferent. After all, it wasn’t the first time he’d lost his temper at me. After venting, he ignored me. Instead, he went into the shower and made a phone call. The shower wasn’t soundproof. Even from a few meters away, I could hear everything clearly. On the other end, Phoebe Taylor’s voice was coy. “Declan, yesterday was so thrilling. I really want to go on more adventures with you.” “You promised me you’d never touch that woman again. You’ll belong only to me.” Upon hearing her voice, Declan instantly became tender. “Silly girl, of course, I’m only yours. I’m fed up with that woman.” “You have no idea, today when I saw her sallow face and rough skin, I felt like throwing up.” I instinctively glanced at my rough hands. And the sallow face in the mirror. For Declan, I had been a housewife for five years. I never imagined it would lead to this result. Tears rolled down my cheeks, filled with regret. These five years of marriage might as well have been thrown to the dogs.
My connection with Declan Johnson actually began with his sister. His sister and I both loved painting. We met at the same art studio. She was a very lively and cheerful girl. Very passionate about painting. We quickly became good friends, exchanging painting techniques and sharing our inspirations. One time, we stayed late, and it started to rain heavily. Declan came to pick her up. That was the first time I met Declan. He was very doting on his sister, and his gentle manner moved me. After that, we often met. He would come to the art studio to pick up his sister and occasionally discuss art with us. Through deep conversations, I found him to be a good guy. He was warm, generous, responsible, and reliable. And I developed a special feeling for him. His sister became our matchmaker. She said Declan had a crush on me, and if he confessed, I should definitely accept. She hoped I would become her sister-in-law. I still remember her innocent and lovely face. I thought it was just a joke from his sister. Unexpectedly, the next day, Declan came with a bouquet of flowers to confess. It was a bit awkward since I was allergic to flowers. But that didn’t stop us from being together. Later, we naturally became a couple. From dating to getting married. Everything seemed so smooth. I thought I would be the happiest person in the world. With a loving husband and a sister-in-law as close as a real sister. Until Declan’s childhood sweetheart, Phoebe, appeared. All my beautiful dreams for the future instantly turned into bubbles.
I got up to go to the bedroom, feeling dizzy. Although I hadn’t eaten, my stomach was churning with discomfort. I touched my forehead, feeling feverish. The thermometer showed 40 degrees. Probably due to excessive sadness and a cold. The cold medicine at home was all gone. There were some ginger pieces in the kitchen, so I decided to make some ginger tea. After finishing everything, I was about to carry it out. Suddenly, he wrapped his big hands around my waist from behind. I was startled by the sudden hug. The hot ginger tea slipped from my hands. Crashing directly onto the floor, leaving a shocking red mark on my foot. Declan’s brows furrowed with a hint of anger. “Nora Johnson, why are you always so clumsy? Are those five years of housework wasted?” The pain left me speechless, sweat beading on my forehead. Seeing that I was really in pain, he still crouched down to check my foot. “Come on, I’ll take you to the hospital.” He grabbed my hand, picked up the car keys from the table. And took me to the underground garage. This car was something we bought when we got married. To buy it, I didn’t even ask for a dowry. Because Declan wanted a nice car, he said it would be impressive for business. And I just agreed. But this car seemed to become Phoebe’s exclusive ride. Whenever she wanted to go somewhere, a single call was enough for Declan to be her driver. Seeing the trinkets all over the passenger seat. I froze in place for a moment. “What are you waiting for? Get in the car.” I was still standing by the car, and he was already in the driver’s seat. Completely forgetting that my foot was injured. I glanced at the blistering wound on my foot. Struggling to open the car’s back door. Just then, Declan’s phone rang. After hearing the contents, his face was full of worry. I hadn’t even sat down yet, and he immediately ordered me out. “You go to the hospital yourself. Poppy got scared watching a horror movie, I need to be with her.” My whole body froze midair, not knowing what to do. But he had already made the decision for me. He roughly pulled me out of the back seat. Then sped away from the garage. He disappeared from my sight like a gust of wind. But I was already used to it, skillfully hailing a cab to go to the hospital myself.
A kind driver noticed my injured foot. He carried me to the hospital entrance. Seeing me alone and struggling to walk. He decided to help me find a wheelchair. Not far away, I saw the driver getting into a dispute. My body was suspended in mid-air, unsure of what to do next. He made the choice for me. Without hesitation, he pulled me out of the car. Then, hitting the accelerator, he sped out of the garage. He vanished from my sight in an instant. But I was used to it and easily hailed a cab to the hospital on my own. 4. A kind driver noticed my injured foot. He carried me to the hospital entrance. Seeing I was alone and struggling to walk, he offered to find a wheelchair for me. Not far away, I saw the driver in a dispute with someone. That someone was none other than my husband and his childhood sweetheart. The driver politely explained, “Sir, I have a passenger with a foot injury who needs the wheelchair. Your girlfriend looks fine. Please, show some kindness and let someone in need use it.” Unexpectedly, Declan Johnson was incredibly stubborn. He clung to the wheelchair and refused to let go, shouting as if no one else was there. “Her injury isn’t my concern! My Poppy was just frightened, and I need to take her to the doctor. Can you afford the delay?” His words were so commanding that the driver didn’t dare argue further. Phoebe Taylor stood by, pretending to be frail. Before the driver could react, Declan Johnson had already taken the wheelchair. I couldn’t help but tremble, a bitter smile forming on my lips. Is this the same man who couldn’t resist bringing stray cats home? Registering, seeing the doctor, and getting medicine—all done while hopping on one foot by myself. Two young nurses came to help me apply medication. Seeing my wound, they couldn’t help but comment. “How did your foot get burned like this, and your husband’s nowhere to be seen? Unlike the woman in the next room, her husband is so attentive, just because she got scared by a horror movie.” “Ah, life’s really unfair. Why can’t we find such good husbands?” Through the gap in the door, I saw Declan Johnson’s worried silhouette. My husband was with another woman.
When I got home, there was a package on the shoe cabinet. It had my name on it. I shop online often, mostly for household items. They’re cheaper than in-store. When I opened the package, I found an ill-fitting lingerie set and some adult toys. I couldn’t hold it, and everything spilled onto the floor. If I’m not mistaken, these were bought by Declan Johnson. He uses our home address and my name for his shopping account. After seeing that news, I should have known Declan Johnson was cheating. But I didn’t want to believe it until I saw his favoritism towards Phoebe Taylor. And now with these items, I truly expect nothing more. Laughter echoed from the elevator entrance. Declan Johnson was holding Phoebe Taylor, both looking intimate and smiling. His hand on her shoulder quickly withdrew the moment he saw me. “Quickly help me pack; I have a business trip tonight.” I stood still, coldly watching them, anger and disappointment swelling within me. Phoebe Taylor looked at me provocatively, a smug smile on her lips. “Why should I pack for you? What does your trip have to do with me?” I replied coldly. Declan Johnson seemed dissatisfied with my response, his voice rising in irritation. “What kind of attitude is that? I’m working for this family on this trip.” Phoebe Taylor circled from behind Declan Johnson, arms crossed like she owned the place. “Vivi, how can you say that? Declan is working hard for us, and you won’t even help pack?” The two plane tickets in the drawer gave them away. Their so-called business trip was just an excuse to fool around. In the past, I would have questioned it endlessly. Now, I find it unnecessary. Phoebe Taylor gently patted Declan Johnson’s back, trying to comfort him. “Declan, don’t be mad. If Vivi won’t pack for you, I will.” With that, she led Declan into the house. Declan glared at me, muttering under his breath. “Look at Poppy, if you were half as sensible, I wouldn’t be so angry.” I calmly threw the package in front of them. “So, this is what your ‘business trip’ is really about?” Declan Johnson looked guilty upon seeing the items. Yet, he insisted they had nothing to do with him. He even blamed the delivery, suggesting it was a mistake. But he knew the truth. Feeling unlucky, he tried to leave with Phoebe Taylor. But I couldn’t help but speak up. “My sister-in-law’s cremation is tomorrow. Are you sure you’re not going?” The flight is tomorrow, and so is my sister-in-law’s cremation. He grabbed a cup from the table and smashed it on the ground. The sound of shattering echoed in the air. Declan Johnson’s face turned terrifyingly dark as he lunged at me, choking me. “Nora Johnson, you witch! Why curse my sister’s death just because you’re mad?” “My sister was always good to you, and you curse her like that?” I could predict his reaction; I knew how important his sister was to him. She was indeed good to me, but she really did die. Declan could have saved her himself. The call went through, but he deliberately didn’t answer. He preferred to get lost with his childhood sweetheart, becoming a laughingstock. I mustered all my strength to break free from Declan’s grip and blurted out, “Declan Johnson, let’s get a divorce!”
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