“I’m tired, Jason. Back then, I gave up everything to follow you here to New York City, a place where I had no one. Looking at where I’ve ended up today, I don’t blame anyone but myself—for being blind enough to believe in you!”
“But now, I don’t want to waste another minute with you!”
Without glancing at Jason’s suddenly darkened face, I turned and walked into the bedroom to start packing my things.
Realizing I wasn’t joking, Jason completely lost his temper.
“Rachel, get back here!”
“What are you packing? What do you even have to pack? For the past ten years, everything you’ve eaten, worn, and used—I paid for it!”
“If you want to leave, then leave clean. Even the clothes you’re wearing now—I bought them. Take them off before you go!”
Even Ethan stood at his father’s side, looking up at me with a face both innocent and cruel.
“Dad’s right! Mom, if you want to leave, you have to take off the clothes too!”
The world went black before my eyes, and I clutched the doorframe, my body trembling uncontrollably.
So this is what my blind gamble on love brought me. Giving up everything, marrying far from home… it was the most foolish decision of my life.
Seeing me frozen there, pale and shaken, a flash of triumph crossed Jason’s face. He thought he had me cornered.
He cleared his throat, softening his tone with false generosity.
“Alright, enough drama. Later, I’m taking Ethan and Ms. Emily to see the show. Afterward, I’ll invite her over for dinner.”
“You go to the kitchen and cook a few of your specialties. When she arrives, you’ll apologize properly, and then this will be over.”
The moment Ethan heard Emily was coming for dinner, he forgot all about the tension. He tugged eagerly at Jason’s sleeve.
“Dad, let’s go! We’re going to be late!”
“Mom, don’t forget to make Cola glazed chicken wings! That’s Ms. Emily’s favorite!”
Jason let himself be pulled toward the door. Turning to the screen, he spoke in that gentle, affectionate tone again,
“Emily, shall we come pick you up first?”
Then, as if remembering something, he turned back and ordered me,
“Oh, and Emily doesn’t eat spicy food. Make sure you don’t put in any chili.”
On the screen, Emily’s face lit up with delight, tinged with a coy blush as she teased,
“Oh my, Ethan’s dad, that was from our college days. You still remember I can’t eat spicy food? You’re so thoughtful.”
Even through the screen, I could feel the pride and provocation radiating off her.
And with that, the last thread inside me finally snapped.
I no longer spared a glance for my repulsive husband or Emily’s fake sweetness, nor for my eager son.
Instead, I stormed into the bedroom, yanked open the closet, and dragged out a large duffel bag.
I dumped out all the old clothes inside and frantically searched.
At last, I found the red dress.
Ten years ago, when I decided to follow Jason’s family, my mother had bought it for me with tears in her eyes.
She had said, “Rachel, if Jason ever makes you suffer, come back home. I’ll cook you your favorite BBQ ribs.”
Back then, I had smiled with confidence, calling her overly worried.
Jason had even patted his chest in front of her, swearing he would never let me suffer.
But now, ten years later, those vows had faded, just like the color of this dress.
Right in front of Jason, I stripped off the house clothes he had bought me and slipped into the faded red dress.
Jason was about to drag Ethan out the door. When he saw me wearing the dress, he froze, then shouted, his voice laced with panic,
“Rachel, what the hell are you doing now?”
I walked over to the dining table, grabbed the divorce agreement, and hurled it straight at his face.
