3
I managed to rest for a night, but woke up the next day feeling headachy and weak.
I wanted to rest a bit more, but was awakened by Jack’s rough knocking on the door.
“Emily, are you up? Get up and make me something to eat, and while you’re at it, make some hot soup for Sophia, I’ll take it to her later.”
His voice came through the door crack, carrying an unquestionable command.
I struggled to sit up, fuming, my voice hoarse from the cold: “Jack, can’t you see I’m sick? Why should I cook for you and her?”
He clearly hadn’t expected me to refuse. He pushed open the door and stood in front of me with a displeased look: “What’s wrong with you today? Can’t you even do this small thing? Don’t forget, today is our wedding anniversary!”
I laughed coldly. This so–called “anniversary was probably just another excuse for him to show off his harmonious family life.
“Anniversary? You must have gotten the date wrong, or maybe you just don’t care about this day at all. And you want me to serve you and your mistress? Jack, you’ve gone too far!”
His face darkened as he angrily walked over: “What nonsense are you talking about? Sophia is just a colleague. She worked late today, so I’m just giving her a ride home. Don’t make a fuss!”
“Making a fuss?” I pointed at myself, feeling a wave of sadness, “I’m making a fuss? Look at the ‘surprise‘ you gave me!”
Saying this, I grabbed the small box he had thrown on the bedside table and smashed it in front of him.
He was stunned for a moment, then bent down to pick up the box. When he opened it, his expression became complex.
Inside the box lay the pendant I had once loved dearly.
“This is… the pendant you’ve always wanted. I bought it especially for you,” he tried to explain, but his voice lacked conviction.
<
“Yes, I’ve always wanted it, but what you bought is the cheap imitation that Sophia wears!” I pointed at the identical pendant around Sophia’s neck in the social media photos.
“You think I don’t know? You gave her the real one and gave me a fake! Jack, you’re so calculating!”
His face turned ashen as he tried to defend himself.
“Enough, Jack” I cut off his words before he could speak. “You’ve lied to me many times.”
I looked straight at him.
He was stunned.
Jack hesitated for a moment, then suddenly came over to feel my forehead, trying to change the subject: “Emily, let’s not talk about this now. You’re not well, I’ll take you to the hospital.
I shook my head, trying to resist this sudden “care,” “I don’t need you to worry about me!”
But he obviously didn’t heed my refusal, pulling me out of bed with one swift motion.
“Listen to me, we’re going now, his tone was uncompromising, as if I were a puppet in his hands, only able to move according to his will.
Sitting in the car, I leaned back in my seat, my gaze inadvertently falling on the leather cushion in the back seat.
That cushion used to be my favorite, but now it had an eye–catching cross drawn on it by Sophia.
I took a deep breath, trying to keep my voice calm: “This cushion…
Jack glanced at me through the rearview mirror, a flash of embarrassment crossing his face, “Oh, that? Sophia accidentally drew on it. She said she’d get you a new one?
I sneered, “Accidentally? More like intentionally.
I didn’t say anything more. I was already tired of this marriage.
At the hospital, the process of registration, consultation, and examination… I went through all these procedures in a half–awake state.
Just as I was about to leave, Jack’s phone rang. It was his so–called “company call.”
I clearly saw the name on the screen – Sophia.
He answered the call, deliberately walking to the side and lowering his voice, but even so, I could vaguely hear the words “miss you.”
A few minutes later, he hung up and came over to me, saying, “Emily, there’s an urgent matter at the company. I have to go now. You take a cab home, okay? Be careful.”
I nodded, neither trying to keep him nor questioning him.
Because I knew all of this was just his excuse. He was only going to meet Sophia.
Back home, I lay on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.
Until the next morning, when a sudden burst of phone ringing broke the silence of the room.
It was Jack, inviting me to attend a gathering, saying it was to celebrate the success of a project.
I knew this was just another way for him to show off his “successful man” image in front of me.
“I don’t want to go, I refused him directly.
“Emily, you must come, his tone suddenly became firm. “Ryan and Chris will be there. You’re my wife, it’s your responsibility to attend such
ocessions?
