I gave up a promising career to support my boyfriend’s dreams, living in a tiny apartment and scraping by for ten years. But on our wedding day, he abandoned me to take care of his sick ex-girlfriend. As guests looked at me with pity and mockery, he posted sweetly on social media: “Looking forward to our new 1+1=3 family model.” The post included an ultrasound image and an intimate photo of him with his ex. I liked the post, then asked Jack for a divorce. But he knelt before me with tears in his eyes, begging me not to leave. The next day, Jack’s call finally came. As soon as I picked up, a sickeningly sweet female voice greeted me: “I’m so sorry, Aria. I wasn’t feeling well yesterday, and I had no idea Jack would miss the wedding because he was worried about me.” “I’ve already scolded him for you.” “And that social media post? I made him delete it. Don’t overthink it, okay?” After a pause, her voice turned coy: “Jack, aren’t you a bit old for this? Still acting like a lovesick puppy. You haven’t changed a bit since college.” “You’ve always done whatever I asked. What were you thinking yesterday? How do you think Aria feels?” “Be a good boy and go make things right. Have the wedding. I’ll be fine here on my own.” Her tone was scolding, but her voice dripped with honey, making me nauseous. I was about to speak when Jack’s voice came through: “Get back to bed and rest. You’re still not feeling well.” “If you don’t behave, I really will stop taking care of you.” His tone was gentler than I’d ever heard, cutting straight to my heart. “Jack, since you’re busy, I won’t keep you. The divorce papers will be sent to you in a few days. Don’t forget to sign them,” I said, interrupting their lovey-dovey exchange. “Aria, are you done? You’re almost thirty, isn’t it time to stop with these divorce threats?” Jack’s voice rose in irritation. “Vanessa just explained everything about yesterday.” “I’m already exhausted dealing with other things. Don’t make more trouble for me.” His accusatory tone grated on my nerves. “Don’t make more trouble.” This was Jack’s favorite phrase for me. My usual care and concern were “trouble”. My devotion was “trouble”. It had become his go-to response whenever he faced me. In the past, when he frowned and said those words, I would always apologize first. I’d reflect on whether I had done something wrong, beg for his forgiveness, and promise not to do it again. Even when I wracked my brain and couldn’t figure out what I had done wrong, subconsciously, I always believed I was the one who needed to back down. “Jack, I’m not threatening you. I’m just letting you know,” I said firmly. Sensing my unusual tone, Jack paused, his voice softening slightly: “Aria, do you really have to fixate on this? Vanessa suddenly fell ill yesterday. I had to say those things to keep her calm.” “The wedding is just a ceremony. We can have it any day. As for the social media post, it was just a few words and photos. It doesn’t mean anything. A human life is at stake here. Can’t you see what’s more important?” “Aria, weren’t you always the understanding one? What’s happened to you?” “You’ve really disappointed me.” Vanessa was Jack’s patient. She was also his first love, the girl he could never get over. A tearful female voice came through the phone: “Aria, it’s all my fault. Don’t blame Jack. I’ll even kneel and apologize if that’s what you want.” How fake. I smirked, “If you’re so eager to apologize, don’t just talk about it. I’m at home now. Come over and kneel if you mean it.” The atmosphere froze. Neither of them had expected me to actually demand Vanessa kneel in apology. Vanessa’s sobs grew louder. As Jack comforted her softly, he turned his anger on me: “Aria, I can’t believe how petty you are. How is any of this Vanessa’s fault? What right do you have to demand she kneel to apologize?” “I should be the one demanding an apology! Yesterday, when I was at the hospital, you were blowing up my phone. You almost interfered with Vanessa’s emergency treatment.” “I must have been blind to marry you. You want a divorce? Fine! Don’t regret it later!” Before I could respond, he hung up.
Although I had made my decision and finally seen this man’s true colors, my heart still ached when the call ended. Jack was right about his superiority complex when it came to me. After all, I was the one who had pursued him first. Jack and I met at a party. He was a talented doctor-in-training, and I was the heiress to a medical equipment company. I fell for him at first sight and began a long journey of chasing him. They say it’s easy for a woman to chase a man, but that saying didn’t apply to me. I pursued Jack for two full years, confessing my feelings dozens of times. Jack’s attitude toward me was always hot and cold, impossible to decipher. Eventually, I grew tired and decided to give up. I was preparing to study abroad when Jack cornered me in a stairwell. “Aria, why did you stop chasing me?” he asked. “I won’t let you give up,” he said, pulling me into a kiss. His sudden confession threw all my plans into disarray. I canceled my flight to France the next day. Jack came from a modest background. To protect his male pride, I moved out of my spacious apartment and into his tiny rental. When we decided to get married, everyone in my family tried to talk me out of it. But because it was Jack, I chose love over financial security without hesitation. Jack had no savings, so we only registered our marriage without holding a ceremony. “Aria, wait for me. I want to earn enough money to give you the grandest wedding. I want to show everyone I can do it on my own,” Jack would promise, holding me close on countless nights. I would respond with passionate kisses. I thought I was the happiest woman in the world. Until Vanessa appeared. She had suffered a miscarriage abroad and developed severe depression. Upon returning home, she became Jack’s patient. At first, I didn’t pay much attention. But gradually, Jack’s eyes were no longer focused solely on me. His world was no longer just the hospital and our home. It was slowly being taken over by Vanessa. “Vanessa has a cold. I’m staying at the hospital with her for IV fluids. Tell your dad I can’t make the family dinner tonight.” “Vanessa is moving today. She doesn’t have any friends or family here, so I’m going to help her.” “Vanessa is feeling unstable today. I’m worried about her being alone, so I won’t be coming home tonight.” … Jack spent less and less time at home, his excuses becoming increasingly flimsy. I had argued with him about this, but whenever I mentioned Vanessa’s name, it was like touching a raw nerve. He would immediately lash out. He’d accuse me of being petty and unreasonable. “Vanessa is my patient. What’s wrong with me taking extra care of her?” “Aria, I think you’re just bored being a housewife all day, letting your imagination run wild. I’m already exhausted working to support us. Can’t you stop causing more trouble?” Housewife? Trouble? Jack, I wasn’t born to be the annoying housewife you despise. I once had my own dreams, my own chance to become a top designer. But now I’m reduced to doing housework and arguing with you over another woman. And why? Because of you, I gave up pursuing my own dreams. Time truly dulls everything. Jack had forgotten it all, leaving me with nothing but endless criticism and disappointment. After each argument, I would be the one to apologize first. This cycle repeated, and I gradually accepted it all. I chose to retreat step by step, to endure in silence. After all, I loved Jack. That was an undeniable fact. I thought that as long as I didn’t make a fuss, as long as I didn’t expose the truth, this man would still belong to me. We could still be the model couple in everyone’s eyes. Only now do I realize how completely wrong I was. My tolerance only made Vanessa more brazen and diminished my importance in Jack’s heart. This time at the wedding, Jack, who was supposed to be the groom, abandoned me for Vanessa. I’ll never forget the disappointment when I couldn’t reach Jack on the phone. The pity and mockery in the guests’ eyes. The pain in my parents’ eyes as they sat there in their finest clothes. Jack, no matter how reluctant I am, this is where it has to end.
After deciding on divorce, I booked a flight to France. I also listed my downtown condo with a real estate agent. That was the wedding gift my family had given Jack and me. But back then, Jack’s pride wouldn’t let him move into my property, fearing others would say he married me for money. And I, just to protect his ridiculous ego, lived with him in a tiny 600-square-foot rental for six years. Now that I’ve decided to go abroad, there’s no point in keeping the condo. As I returned from the real estate office and opened the door, I saw Jack sitting on the sofa: “Where have you been? Why didn’t you answer my calls? Do you know how long I’ve been waiting?” His tone was harsh, as if I had committed some terrible crime. “Aren’t you supposed to be at the hospital with your dear Vanessa? What are you doing here?” I asked calmly. “Aria, stop with the sarcasm!” Jack snapped. “I’ve explained countless times that Vanessa is just my patient. If you don’t believe me, that’s your problem.” “Now go to the market and buy a chicken. Vanessa is hurt, and you need to make her some chicken soup.” He spoke as if this was the most natural thing in the world. I was stunned. Only after coming to my senses did I realize how truly shameless this man had become. Seeing me silent, he grew impatient and pushed my shoulder, urging: “What are you standing there for? Hurry up. If you’re late, you won’t be able to get a fresh chicken.” “Oh, and buy some cordyceps flowers and other herbs to add to the soup. Remember to skim off the oil when you’re done. Vanessa doesn’t like greasy food.” Although I was already deeply disappointed in Jack, hearing these words from his mouth still filled me with sorrow. In all our years together, I always put Jack first, and he accepted my care as if it were his due. He didn’t know what foods I liked, what colors I preferred, or what brands of clothes I usually wore. Two years ago, when I had emergency surgery for appendicitis, I begged Jack to make me some porridge. But he just frowned and said: “Aria, your princess act doesn’t work on me.” “If you want porridge, can’t you just order it yourself?” After that time, I never made such a request of him again. In the past, I naively thought Jack was just too focused on his work to notice these things. I thought he just didn’t understand how to care for a woman’s feelings. But now I know. It’s not that he doesn’t understand. He just never wanted to understand when it came to me. My heart ached, and it took all my control not to let the tears fall. Seeing me silent, just staring at the floor with reddened eyes, Jack grew a bit flustered. Realizing his words might have been too harsh, he softened his tone: “Aria, I know missing the wedding was my fault. I apologize. But you know there was an emergency that day.” “As a doctor, I couldn’t ignore it. Aria, you’re from a medical family. I thought you’d understand.” “As for the wedding, didn’t you always want to go to Iceland? Next month I’ll take some time off, and we can have our wedding there. How about that?” “Now be good and go make the chicken soup. Vanessa is waiting at the hospital.” After all that explanation, he still hadn’t forgotten his purpose. I couldn’t be bothered to argue anymore. I walked past him towards the bedroom. “Aria, I’ve already given you a way out. Don’t push your luck!” Jack shouted, finally losing his patience. “I’m doing this to let you make amends. You liked Vanessa’s post, causing her to be attacked by netizens. Her mood hasn’t been good these past few days.” “I’m not even pursuing your responsibility for that. How dare you still give me this attitude?” Seeing me walk further away, Jack finally couldn’t contain his anger and yelled. I turned around and looked at the man whose face was contorted with rage. He was so familiar yet felt like a complete stranger. “Don’t forget to sign the divorce papers,” I said calmly. With that, I closed the bedroom door. “Aria, don’t come crying back later!” I heard Jack’s furious voice, followed by the sound of the front door slamming.
Not long after, as I was still packing my clothes, I received a call from the real estate agent: “Miss Walker, could you come to your property right away? There’s been an issue.” The voice on the phone sounded urgent. I hurried to drive to the condo. What I saw left me stunned. The previously empty apartment was now filled with furniture, exuding a lived-in atmosphere. And Vanessa, wearing loungewear, was glaring at me and the agent with hostility. “Miss Walker, you see…” the agent looked at me helplessly. My mind flashed to a social media post Vanessa had made long ago: “Thank you for giving me a home.” The background in the photo was my wedding gift condo. At the time, I thought the decor looked familiar, but many luxury apartments have similar designs, so I didn’t think much of it. I never imagined that Jack, who had refused to live in my property to avoid being seen as a gold-digger, had secretly let Vanessa move in. Suppressing my disgust, I was about to speak when Vanessa beat me to it: “This is the home Jack gave me. What are you doing here, Miss Walker?” “If I remember correctly, don’t you live in a tiny 600-square-foot rental? Well, what can I say? Jack always wants to give me the best.” She covered her mouth and giggled, her eyes filled with undisguised mockery. I couldn’t be bothered to argue with her. I calmly said: “This is my property. Please move out immediately!” As soon as I finished speaking, Vanessa burst into laughter: “Your property? Aria, do you think we’re all idiots? If this was your property, why would you be squeezing yourself into that old, tiny apartment? Are you a masochist?” She then turned to the property manager who had just arrived: “Mr. Liu, your security is really lacking. How can you let just anyone in? If this happens again, I’ll have to file a complaint!” The manager hurriedly apologized, then glared at me: “Miss, you’re disturbing the resident’s peace. Please leave immediately.” Talk about the cuckoo stealing the magpie’s nest. A crowd of onlookers had gathered: “What’s going on? Who is this woman causing trouble at Miss Chen’s home?” “Yeah, Miss Chen and Mr. Johnson have lived here for years. Everyone in the building knows them.” “Could she be the other woman? I never thought Mr. Johnson was that kind of man. He always seemed so proper.” “Oh please, don’t jump to conclusions. Look at Miss Chen – she’s so beautiful and gentle. Mr. Johnson isn’t blind. Why would he go for some unkempt country bumpkin?” Everyone was discussing enthusiastically. Just then, the elevator doors opened, and Jack walked out.
He was carrying two large bags of groceries, clearly planning to cook. My heart sank. In our ten years of marriage, even when I had a high fever, I had to drag myself out of bed to prepare meals for Jack when he came home from work. For ten years, he had never cooked a single dish or washed a single dish at home. “Baby, you’re not feeling well. Why are you out here? Go back inside,” Jack said tenderly, looking at Vanessa with loving eyes. He hadn’t even noticed me standing to the side. “Baby?” In all our years of marriage, Jack had always addressed me coldly and distantly as “Aria”. Whenever I pouted and asked him to call me something more intimate, Jack would impatiently cut me off: “Aria, I don’t like that sort of thing. A name is just a label. It doesn’t matter what I call you.” Back then, I thought he just didn’t like being overly affectionate. But hearing the word “baby” from his lips now, I realized Jack just treated people differently. Looking at Vanessa, who had now switched to a weak and innocent expression, I couldn’t help but laugh coldly: “Since you’re so eager to apologize, don’t just talk about it. Come kneel and apologize to me right now.” The atmosphere instantly froze. Neither of them had expected me to actually demand Vanessa kneel in apology. Vanessa’s sobs grew even more pitiful. Jack comforted her gently while turning to berate me: “Aria, how can you be so small-minded? How is any of this Vanessa’s fault? What right do you have to demand she kneel to you?” The property manager also rushed over with a big smile: “Mr. Johnson, you’re back! Is this the hourly maid you hired to cook?” Jack frowned slightly but didn’t respond. Vanessa quickly linked her arm with his and chimed in: “That’s right, she’s the maid Jack hired to cook for me. Isn’t that right, Jack?” Jack nodded, then casually tried to hand me the groceries: “Go start cooking.” The onlooking neighbors suddenly understood: “Oh, I see! I was wondering how there could be so many mistresses in the world stealing other people’s husbands. So she’s just the maid!” “Miss Chen, you’re so lucky. Mr. Johnson really dotes on you.” “Yeah, looking at how good Mr. Johnson is to you, then looking at my own husband at home… it’s like comparing heaven and earth.” I didn’t say a word, nor did I take the groceries Jack was holding out. I just stared coldly at the man in front of me. “Aria, what are you still standing there for? Didn’t you hear what I said?” Jack’s face darkened as he impatiently urged me. Just then, my phone rang. “I’m right outside the door. Come on up,” I said into the phone. Everyone looked at me in confusion. “Aria, what new trick are you trying to pull?” Jack questioned with furrowed brows. I remained silent, just looking towards the elevator. In less than a minute, a dozen men in crisp suits walked out of the elevator. “Miss, here’s the property deed you requested,” the middle-aged man in the lead respectfully handed me a red booklet. It was time to fight back.
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