The water in the bathtub engulfed my head until the phone rang, and I struggled to wake from the suffocation.
“Violet, what’s going on between you and Percival?”
Nathan's tone was off.
“I...”
Before I could comprehend why she suddenly asked about me and Percival, she spilled the beans like she couldn’t hold it in any longer.
“Why do I see Percival’s wedding photos with another woman here? Weren’t you guys married?"
A few days after Percival and I got our marriage certificate, I saw their wedding photos near home.
When I had earlier suggested taking wedding photos to Percival, he always claimed to be too busy.
Seeing the photo had me shaking with rage.
When I found Percival, Willow was right beside him.
Upon mentioning the wedding photos, Willow immediately blinked and asked if they looked good.
“When Percival and I passed by the shop, they were hosting an event and insisted on taking a photo of us to use them as advertisement.
"Percival initially didn't want to, but then he thought I had never worn a wedding dress, so he agreed.
"Violet, how do you think the photos turned out? Do they look good?”
I shoved Willow aside. “Percival Slater, as your wife, you haven't even taken wedding photos with me, but you did with her? Do you think that's appropriate?”
“Violet Harlow, look at yourself now, acting like a shrew!”
Percival supported the swaying Willow and pointed at me, scolding, “We're already married. What more do you want? It's just a wedding photo, why do you elevate a trivial matter to the level of a major principle or policy issue?”
After saying that, Percival left with Willow without looking back at me, even shoving me as he walked past.
Recalling all this, I couldn't help but take a deep breath.
“Violet, if you’re not feeling well, the class reunion...”
“Nathan, don't worry, I will attend.”
Just as Nathan’s call ended, I heard Percival enter the house.
He lay on the sofa, reeking of alcohol, muttering my name.
“Violet.”
I had barely approached when he pulled me into his arms.
He nuzzled me, his hand gently caressed my face.
“Violet, did I hurt you?”
The words barely left his mouth when I noticed the red lipstick stain on his clothes.
“Violet, don’t get the wrong idea, Willow had too much to drink and accidentally rubbed against me.”
“I’m not misunderstanding.”
I poured a cup of hot water and handed it to him. “Drink this and sleep early.”
“Violet...”
Percival yanked me back into his arms, his hands roamed over me, his drunken breath on my face made me feel nauseous.
I abruptly pushed him away and stood up. “You’re drunk, you should rest.”
“Violet Harlow!”
My words meant to help Percival, yet they angered him.
He slammed the water cup on the table to the ground.
“I’ve already admitted my mistake, what more do you want!”
The shards of broken glass cut my hand.
I didn’t understand, even though Percival broke the glass, why was I the one walking over it.
“Percival, I agree to the divorce.”
Percival hadn’t been home lately, nor had he contacted me.
I saw him again at the class reunion.
He was nearby, Willow intimately holding his arm.
“Violet, I didn’t expect you to be so generous after getting married.”
