It was as if Everett had forgotten–he joined the Richardson Group as my father’s personal assistant.
I still remember the first time he spoke at the company’s annual gala. He stood on stage and said confidently, “I believe men are more suited to be personal assistants than women–braver, more decisive, more rational…“)
He listed a thousand virtues, yet when it came to Maeve, he forgot every single one.
After that, Everett started coming home later and later. The man who once insisted no social gathering should go past nine in the evening stopped returning before midnight.
Eventually, he even stopped accompanying me to my weekly prenatal checkups.
That was when my father messaged me–something he rarely ever did.§
[Laura, it’s not too late to cut your losses now.]
But I was unwilling. I didn’t want to believe that the man 1 shared a bed with could fail the test of loyalty so easily.
Until that day–when Everett threw me into a cold storage room just because Maeve had her period.
At that moment, something inside me broke completely.
I finally saw the man before me for who he truly was. And I realized that he never truly loved me.
Maybe from the moment he interviewed at the Richardson Group eight years ago… Maybe from the moment he risked his life to shield me from danger…>
It had all been part of his calculation.
“Laura, please don’t ignore me! I’m scared when you’re like this. I’m begging you, forgive me, okay? I really do love you. Have you forgotten our eight years together?“}
Everett’s trembling voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
I turned my head and looked at him. After a long, deep breath, I spoke. “I forgot.“}
The moment the words left my mouth, even I was stunned.§
That wasn’t indifference–it was despair, born of utter disappointment.
Everett clearly hadn’t expected me to say that. His grip on my hand loosened and fell away.
When he looked up again, his face was streaked with tears.
“Laura…“}
“Enough,” I cut him off. “Let’s get a divorce.“}
The moment I said “divorce,” it felt like all the strength had been drained from my body.”
I used to look at his back and imagine a future together–Maybe we’d grow old hand–in–hand, watching sunsets. Maybe we’d be surrounded by grandchildren, basking in the joy of family.
I had even pictured us parting ways at a hospital bedside someday.
But never this.
Never this kind of ending.
He was the man I loved through my entire youth.
Tears slid down my cheeks. Because deep down, I knew we would never be possible again.”
Everett hadn’t expected me to be so resolute either. His body trembled uncontrollably. He dropped to his knees, begging, “Laura, please don’t do this. I really love you. Just give me one more chance. Please…”
I didn’t know why, but hearing him call me “Laura” with such affection again–it made my skin crawl.
Nausea churned in my stomach.
I couldn’t stand being entangled with him any longer. I reached out and pressed the nurse call button beside the bed.
Seconds later, my father barged in with a team of bodyguards.}
Without a word, they dragged the sobbing Everett out of the room.
As his cries faded into the hallway, peace finally returned to my heart.
My father sat down beside me, eyes filled with concern.
He gently wiped away my tears and said softly, “Laura, this will pass. I was just outside, thinking–maybe I was wrong. Maybe if it weren’t for this trial, you and Everett could have lived a lifetime of happiness…”
“No,” I interrupted him for the first time.
5: :|: 1:|:ཀྱི་:ཀྱིས ཀུན དུ འབྱུ
“I should be thanking you. Because of you, I saw his true colors early. And now–it’s not too late to walk away.”
