When He Stops Protecting Me

When I divorced Helena Rhodes, we were both calm.

She gently asked what I wanted.

Without hesitation, I answered,

“The car, the house, the savings.

And half of the company shares.”

Helena paused, slightly surprised.

“What about the children? You don’t want them?

You love them so much—how can you abandon Emma Young and Lily Young?”

I looked at the scars on my wrists from countless self-inflicted wounds and quietly shook my head.

I didn’t want them anymore.

From now on, aside from money, anything tied to Helena—

I wanted none of it.

——

Seeing my coldness, she seemed to want to speak, but after a pause, she silently signed the divorce papers.

As we parted, she said politely,

“I can’t give you the shares, but you’ll always be the father of our children.

If you ever face trouble, come to me.”

I nodded.

But as I turned away, I threw the business card she handed me into the trash.

Even to death, I never want to see Helena again.

When I got home, I told the housekeeper to pack her things and throw them out.

The housekeeper didn’t mind and joked,

“Sir, did you quarrel again? Don’t give up your position over anger.

Madam still cares for you.”

All the suffering and humiliation I’d endured—Margaret Ward had seen it all.

She knew how deeply I loved Helena,

and how many times I’d broken down because of her betrayal.

She, like Helena, believed I’d never truly leave.

But this time, I didn’t cry or beg.

I took down the wedding photo, my voice calm and detached.

“My mother passed away.”

Margaret froze, her smile vanishing.

She stammered an apology.

I only smiled, saying nothing, and smashed the photo frame to pieces.

Startled, she hurried to clean up, treating the cut on my hand.

She murmured, “Divorce—good riddance!

We’re top students from Harvard University and Yale University; we’ll live fine without her.

Good child, we won’t suffer anymore.”

I bowed my head, trying not to cry.

But tears still fell—filled with regret, sorrow, and faint relief.

After ten years of torment,

the so-called fairytale of a princess and her knight had finally ended.

It wasn’t perfect, but it was the ending we expected.

At eighteen, I entered Harvard University with the county’s highest score.

That same year, I met Helena—back to invest in her alma mater.

Every story begins beautifully; ours was no different.

She fell for me at first sight.

After her lecture, she pursued me relentlessly—

waiting after class with Bubble tea and flowers,

sending money to my roommates to learn my schedule,

remembering every detail about me,

and confessing her love beneath a sea of blossoms.