Chapter 3

The girl's name was Emma, a student at the university.

Still in school, she worked part-time at the coffee shop near campus because her family was poor.

Three months ago, Jack started frequently coming here for coffee.

Sometimes he wouldn't even go to the office, just sitting here all day.

"You like her that much? You'd strangle me for her."

I muttered to myself, remembering how Jack used to strangle others for me.

"She's my wife now, stay away from her."

Jack and I met in college,

Back then he was still a poor college student, working three jobs to survive.

He was running errands on campus and spilled coffee all over me while delivering it.

I wasn't angry, it was just a piece of clothing, I could have someone buy a new one in 10 minutes.

He apologized with a red face, and the next day stood in front of me holding the dress from last year that now reeked of laundry detergent.

He carefully avoided touching my fingers when handing it over.

Awkwardly cute.

I found him interesting, and started paying him to buy me coffee.

Back then I was trying to act mature, only drinking iced Americanos,

So bitter I could barely open my eyes,

Jack secretly put double cream and sugar in it.

"It's sweet."

It was an age when even whispering made us blush.

But now, looking at myself in the mirror, disheveled, with horrifying red marks on my neck.

I searched all over the house but couldn't find where the first aid kit was,

In the past, if I accidentally bumped into a table leg, Jack would anxiously carry me to bed and rush to get band-aids and anti-inflammatory medicine.

I sat hugging my knees on the bathroom floor,

My phone vibrated, it was a message from Jack.

"Let's get divorced."

Attached was a divorce agreement,

Leaving me the house and car,

For Emma, he was willing to leave with nothing.

I put on a turtleneck sweater and took a taxi to his company.

This was my first time coming here.

The receptionist officially asked me for an appointment.

"I don't have one, tell Jack his wife is downstairs."

The young receptionist snickered.

"Miss, that's not how you social climb. We've all met Mr. Lee's wife before. While I haven't called security yet, please see yourself out."

I was about to take out my phone to call Jack,

"Good morning!"

A voice sounded behind me,

Emma was wearing overalls, her ponytail tied high.

For a moment, I thought I saw myself from college.

She smiled and greeted everyone.

The receptionist bowed to her.

"Good morning, Mrs. Lee."

She emphasized the "Mrs." especially heavily.

Her eyes were full of mockery as she looked at me.

"I brought coffee for everyone, I made it myself!"

"Thank you Mrs. Lee, our Mr. Lee is so lucky to have married you. Beautiful and talented, unlike some girls who just daydream."

The girl lowered her head shyly and bounced into the elevator.

I was left standing there, like a mascot.

I called Jack several times,

All were immediately hung up.

"If you want her to be legitimate, come downstairs and invite me up."

My hand trembled as I pressed the phone, tears already flowing from my eyes.

All these years, I tried so hard to pretend I didn't care,

Thinking it was okay, Jack loved me, those other girls were just for fun,

Soon, Jack's assistant came down to bring me upstairs.

As we approached Jack's office, I could see the girl's delicate skirt.

She was half-embracing Jack coquettishly.

Seeing me approach, the girl hurriedly let go.

"You still have work, I won't disturb you."

I instinctively raised my hand to stop her,

And saw the jade pendant hanging on her chest.

It was the one I had gotten for Jack when he was seriously ill,

Kneeling step by step up the mountain to pray for it.

I opened my mouth, but my throat felt stuffed with cotton, unable to make a sound.

Behind me, Jack narrowed his eyes at me in warning.

"Do you need something?"

I came back to my senses and let go of her arm.

"Nothing, your pendant is very pretty."

"Thank you."

5

"Seems you didn't take my warning from yesterday to heart."

After Emma left, Jack reverted to that cold, unapproachable face.

He tossed a file to me.

I opened it and glanced - it was a project my dad's company was working on.

"Lila, I'm not joking with you. If I want, your dad will lose everything right now."

"How long do you think you can keep playing princess?"

I licked my dry lips. So all these years, he had been harboring resentment in his heart.

When I brought Jack to confront my dad, the old man was furious, refusing to let me marry someone who had nothing back then.

He knelt in front of my dad and was humiliated, but stubbornly refused to let go of my hand.

The divorce papers were thrown in my face.

Just like when my dad threw a stack of bills in his face back then.

I guess what goes around comes around, and now it's my turn.

Actually, why bother with all this? If he had just told me he didn't love me anymore, I never would have clung to him.

I picked up the divorce papers, Jack's name was already signed next to it. I couldn't help but laugh, seems he really does love her.

"Can I ask you something?"

I looked up at Jack, now dressed like a gentleman.

"What do you like about her?"

Jack didn't answer. Seven years of marriage ended in silence.

The day we went to get the divorce certificate, Jack brought Emma along.

I couldn't help but mock him.

"Saving yourself a second trip?"

Emma was shielded behind Jack, like a mother hen protecting her chick.

"Sister Lila, I'm so sorry, I didn't know you and Jack had that kind of relationship. If I had known, I definitely wouldn't have interfered in your relationship."

"But you've seen how Jack was suffering with you. Since you've parted amicably, I hope you can give us your blessing."

Such a pretty face, saying words that make people want to die.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to invite you to our wedding."

She handed me an invitation. I silently looked at Jack.

Wanting to see a glimpse of how he used to be.

How he used to love me,

But his gaze was entirely on Emma's blushing face, not sparing me a glance.

The ink was barely dry on the divorce papers, and the wedding invitations were already fresh off the press.

6

Their wedding was extravagant, taking up a large section of the news.

Jack smiled tenderly, arm-in-arm with Emma in her white dress.