01
“It’s just a kiss, Ariadne. Lindsay looks like she’s suffering. I’ll help her, don’t overthink it.”
Marvin didn’t wait for a response. He stood and headed straight toward Lindsay.
Her cheeks were flushed; she looked faint and uncomfortable.
The other classmates noticed and began murmuring among themselves.
“Is Lindsay having a kiss hunger? And Marvin’s going to help her?”
“His wife’s right there!”
“Don’t you know? Lindsay was his first love. He liked her for years. If Marvin hadn’t been so broke back then, they would have stayed together, and he may marry her, not Ariadne.”
Their whispers swirled around me, and occasionally, someone glanced my way.
I bit down hard on my lip, forcing a strained smile, and grabbed Marvin’s wrist.
“Don’t. I’ll take her to the hospital instead.”
I stood abruptly and moved to help Lindsay.
“Lindsay, is that okay?”
The moment I touched her shoulder, Lindsay let out a pained groan.
Out of nowhere, I was shoved forcefully.
My head slammed against the wall, sending a jolt of pain through my skull.
I blinked through the sting and saw Marvin kneeling by Lindsay, his face etched with worry. “Are you okay?” he asked her gently.
Lindsay’s teary eyes glistened, making his concern deepen.
Marvin turned to me with rage. “Can’t you see she’s in pain? What’s wrong with you? Are you doing this on purpose?”
Even Mindy joined in, hands on her hips. “What’s your problem? Ms. Fowler’s obviously not feeling well!”
I struggled to my feet, teeth clenched. “I wasn’t trying to hurt her. I just wanted to help.”
I thought, “What else could I do? Watch my husband kiss another woman? Besides, he isn’t the only person in the room. There are plenty of others who can help. It doesn’t have to be him. After all, he is a married man.”
But Marvin refused to listen.
“Are you really going to split hairs at a time like this? Do you want Lindsay to die in pain?”
On the couch, Lindsay’s breathing was labored, her face flushed.
Marvin didn’t wait for a response. He knelt in front of her, cupping her face reverently.
“No… don’t! Please don’t…”
I silently begged him to stop, at least not in front of everyone.
I reached out a trembling hand, but it was useless.
Marvin leaned down and pressed his lips to hers.
The kiss was fervent, unrestrained.
My mind went blank as the sound of muffled laughter filled the room.
The mocking murmurs felt like slap after slap on my face.
It was awkward.
I couldn’t believe the man I’d loved for ten years was doing this to me.
I thought, “Kissing another woman in front of me? How could he treat me like this?”
My nose stung, and my eyes brimmed with tears.
I fought to hold them back.
After what felt like an eternity, I reached for my wedding ring.
I stood, twisted it off my finger, and set it down on the table with a decisive click.
“Let’s divorce. I’m done with you.”
Maybe Marvin was too caught up in the kiss, or maybe the crowd’s jeers drowned me out.
No one noticed me leaving.
Once I shut the door behind me, I finally felt calm.
A cold breeze hit me, drying my tears and sweeping away my last illusions.
As I stepped outside, Mindy followed close behind.
“What do you mean by taking off your ring?”
“What do you mean by taking off your ring?”
I stared at her coldly. Just moments ago, she, my own daughter, had sided with Marvin and scolded me.
“You don’t know what it means?”
Mindy was eight, old enough to understand what had just happened.
But she sneered, her eyes filled with disdain, “You’re so pathetic! You’re mad at Dad over something this minor? He was just helping someone.” It was something someone would never think to hear from their own daughter.
I laughed bitterly.
