Chapter 6
Back then, Raymond saw his mother cheat on his father. He cried as he chased after her, only to witness her die in a car crash right in front of
him.
After that, his father wanted nothing to do with him, calling him a burden.
Through all of it, I was the only one who never left.
He once told me, “My parents messed up their love, so I can’t tolerate flaws in my feelings. I’d never cheat. I picked you, and it’ll only ever be you.”
Raymond was stuck in his mother’s shadow today. Like her, he cheated and broke his vows for someone new, and yet somehow, he still blamed.
- me.
I wasn’t his father. I wasn’t about to take
the blame.
So, I said, “Alright then. If that’s what you want…”
I wasn’t going to beg him to stay.
“Just sign the papers, and you’re off the hook.”
Seeing Raymond hesitate, Minnie jumped in, making things worse.
“Ray, don’t do it if you’re not ready.”
Suddenly, she dropped to her knees in front of me.
“Whitney, I’m the one who messed up. Don’t blame Ray–blame me
instead!”
I saw right through her act and let out a laugh.
‘Sorry, I’m not a recycling bin. So don’t dump your trash on me.”
People around us had their phones up, streaming everything. As soon as I said that, the comments started flying.
“Wow! She’s so cool!”
“So
funny! This hypocrite girl thought a little act would work? Nah, the wife isn’t buying it!”
“Come on, dude. What are you waiting for? You want both of them or what?”
Alice raised an eyebrow and teased Raymond.
“Now is your chance to act straightforward and responsible. End it clean, or you’ll just embarrass yourself more.”
Raymond thought that everything we owned belonged to both of us. He carefully picked up the divorce papers, scanned them, then stared at me with bloodshot eyes.
“Why do I only get 10% of the shares?!” He finally stopped pretending.
Honestly, I felt a little lighter. I pulled out the notarized audio recording and tossed it in front of him.
Back when he proposed at 22, he insisted on getting our marriage notarized in front of everyone, including the lawyers. “I, Raymond Harrison, promise that if I ever betray Whitney, I’ll leave with nothing. Everything I own will be hers.”
“That 10%? That’s what I owed to the 22–year–old Raymond. We’re square
Chapter &
now.
When my stepfather tried to hurt me again, it was the 22–year–old Raymond who showed up and beat him up, seriously injuring him without thinking twice.
My stepfather swore revenge, but Raymond told me, “You’re safe now, Whitney. You don’t have to be scared anymore.”
Now, I could see his face shift through all kinds of emotions.
He paused, maybe remembering everything, then picked up the pen and asked, “Have you thought it through?”
I stayed silent.
He signed. Then, he looked right at me.
“It’s been ten years, Whitney. Are you satisfied now?”
