ManyWriters

In the tenth year of our relationship, when Jaxon learned of my pregnancy, he gifted me a luxurious $80 million mansion for my prenatal care.
Instead, I terminated the pregnancy and booked a one-way ticket to South Africa.
All because in my previous life, I had heeded his words to quit my job for conceiving a baby, sacrificing my entire life for him and our child.
When I was on my deathbed, I discovered 999 love letters he had written to his "pure love."
"You are the most pristine moonlight in my heart. I can't bear to see you tainted by the mundane world's matters."
"Bearing children, managing the household, being filial to elders - these are all things others can do for you. You just need to be happy, content, and live each day radiantly."
Only then did I realize he had long ago transferred all his assets to his "pure love."
Even the child I had given my life to bear had been calling his "pure love" Mom all along.
And I, critically ill, couldn't even afford medical treatment.
I could only pass away miserably under the cold gazes of my husband and daughter.
When I opened my eyes again, I looked at my slightly bulging belly and walked to the hospital to make an appointment for an abortion.

Love for a Decade, I Give Up

Halfway through tidying up, I realized I had very few possessions of my own.


Looking back and forth, there were just a few baggy old clothes.


One year while shopping, I spotted a red coat that all the customers in the store said looked good on me.


But Jaxon said, "You're just a country bumpkin, all tacky with no class. Don't try to copy others by wearing these things. You'll only embarrass yourself like crude imitation."


The next day, Faye posted photos of herself wearing the same coat on social media.


I don't have many clothes, but I do have some valuable jewelry.


However, they're all registered under Mrs. Gevano's name, so I can't take them with me.


Looking around, I suddenly realized something.


In this house, apart from this pile of old clothes,


It seems like only the mop and rags truly belong to me.


Everything else that's luxurious, exquisite, and beautiful has nothing to do with me.


My chest felt tight, so I simply threw the old clothes and those things into the trash.


Back in the living room, Jaxon was watching TV with Faye.


Faye complained her nails were too long, so he patiently peeled walnuts for her.


He didn't even glance at me, just leaving a table full of dishes for me to wash.


I didn't want to deal with the two of them either, so I changed my shoes and prepared to go out to buy some new outfits.


The phone left on the sofa dinged with a new message.


Jaxon casually picked it up to look, then frowned at me. "Why would Doctors Without Borders send you a message?"


My heart leaped into my throat, but Faye just laughed.


"I was wondering how you suddenly became so knowledgeable. Turns out you just Googled it real quick. Vivienne, why are you still so vain?"


"Being a housewife isn't shameful. What's truly pitiful is someone who isn't loved but still deceives themselves."


Jaxon, with an unreadable expression, shoved the phone back into my hand.


"Don't do this anymore. I've told you I'll support you for life. There's no need for you to compete with Faye over these things."


"Faye is smart and beautiful, while your career hasn't progressed much over the years. You simply don't have that capability. Staying at home to support your husband and raise the kid is what you should be doing."


I took the phone back and laughed along.


"Don't worry, I definitely won't do it again."


All these years, I've devoted almost all my energy to Jaxon, to the point where my career has stagnated.


I've been looked down upon by Mr. and Mrs. Gevano, and mocked by the Gevano family relatives for marrying above my station.


But things will be different from now on.


I won't waste tears on those who don't deserve it, nor will I waste time in a loveless marriage.


I'm going to live the life I truly want to live.


I stuffed the phone back into my pocket and hailed a cab to go on a shopping spree at the mall. Seemingly determined to release a lifetime's worth of pent-up frustration, I shopped until nightfall before returning home laden with bags of all sizes.


Unwashed dishes still cluttered the table.


Jaxon, as usual, was trying to force me into submission through his cold shoulder treatment, staying away from home.


I couldn't care less. After taking care of my own affairs, I sprawled out and played on my phone.


Faye posted a location check-in at a hotel on her social media.


Her body was covered in a dense array of hickeys, and countless luxury shopping bags were piled by the bedside.


The hand wrapped around her waist belonged to Jaxon, with his long, slender fingers.


A photo that would have once kept me up all night.


Now, it barely caused a ripple in the depths of my heart.


Chapter 3