4
“You’re going somewhere?”
My palms sweated. I had to act calm. “I
decided some of the stuff here is ugly, so I’m
putting it all in a suitcase to get rid of it at
once. It’s easier than throwing things out one
by one.”
A pathetic explanation.
Liam was still pondering when his phone rang.
The look on his face — a flicker of panic
told me who it was.
Г
He hung up, then turned to leave, pausing at
the doorway. A hint of… regret?
I took the necklace, forcing a smile.
“Go ahead. Don’t worry about me. I
understand.”
In the past, I would have pleaded with him to
stay. But now, I didn’t care.
He should be satisfied.
Liam kissed my forehead. “If I’d known
having a wedding would make you so
agreeable, I would have done it sooner. I’ll make it up to you when I get back.”
If I’d known loving you would be this painful, I
would have never met you, I thought.
He handed me a black card. “Get rid of
everything you don’t like in the house. Buy
new stuff.”
The things I didn’t want… needed to be gone.
After he left, I ran to the bathroom and
washed my face until my skin burned.
The next week was a blur: lawyers, packing,
work. Seven years of love felt like a brand,
leaving scars even as I peeled it away. Better
than the unending pain it had caused.
Liam didn’t return for days. Bethany had a
severe allergic reaction and ended up in the
hospital.
My noodles that night had been laden with
peanut butter. Bethany was allergic to
peanuts.
Liam had eaten my noodles, then gotten
intimate with Bethany. Hence, the hospital
stay.
He resumed his icy demeanor.
I called once, asking when he’d be home to
sign the divorce papers.
His response was furious. “Kara, stop
bothering me! Bethany is in the hospital
because of you! I can’t believe how jealous.
you are. She and I are just friends. We got the
marriage certificate, we had the wedding,
what more do you want? Do you want me
glued to your side every second of every day?
Can’t you just be gracious and be nice to
Bethany?”
Gracious? Gracious enough to give my
husband to another woman? It wasn’t
acceptable before, but now, it was.
He was yelling, with Bethany’s soothing voice
occasionally cutting through.
“Kara, Bethany’s defending you! Do you have
to be so mean?”
If you hadn’t eaten my noodles before getting
intimate with her, she wouldn’t be in the
hospital. Who’s being mean to whom?
“I’m sorry,” I replied. “It’s my fault. I’ll
apologize to Bethany tomorrow.”
An apology wouldn’t hurt.
I didn’t care anymore. Soon, it would all be
over.
L
over.
