2
A colleague pulled me aside, worried.
“Sarah, how did you upset Mrs. Landers? She
stole your competition spot and got the
director to fire you.”
Mrs. Landers?
I followed her gaze to the figure on stage.
Vivian, decked out in jewelry, had a bit of that
mistress vibe.
I almost forgot, she always introduced herself
as “Mrs. Landers” at the studio.
She was accepting everyone’s envious looks when she suddenly saw me.
“Sarah, I’m so sorry, but maybe my dance
skills are more suitable for the competition, so the director gave the only spot to me.”
I didn’t care about her antics before, but this
competition was important to me, I wouldn’t
let her have it.
“Vivian, what’s your dance level? Is it the level
you dance for men? Also, dare you tell
everyone your real identity?”
She was originally a small–time internet
celebrity, only getting into this high–end
studio because of Ethan.
She used to be meek in front of me, but now
she dared to step on me.
Vivian blushed, speechless, tears welling up in
her eyes.
Then, an arm snaked around her waist.
Ethan looked at me, his eves full of pressure.
“And what’s your identity?”
My lips moved, bitterness rising in my throat.
His mother died because of me.
After nine years of marriage, even giving birth
to his son wasn’t enough to offset that debt.
When he was drunk, he once choked me and
said:
“Sarah, you married into the family to atone,
not to enjoy life, don’t forget your place!”
Seeing my daze, Ethan leaned in, whispering.
“Sarah, if you want to keep your job, move
back home.”
I finally understood, he was Vivian’s boss.
He gave my competition spot to Vivian, and
threatened the studio owner to fire me.
He was forcing me to submit, to take back
my divorce statement.
Seeing that I didn’t react, Ethan sneered.
“Now you have wings, you want to escape my
control? Then I’ll break your wings and see
C
how you fly?”
He made a phone call.
My best friend texted me.
“Sarah, I think I offended someone. I was just
promoted last month, and my supervisor just called me to his office, saying he’s going to
fire me…”
My lips were tight as I packed my things.
Leaving, I heard Vivian’s taunts.
“Sarah, aren’t you just like me, relying on
men? I thought you were so strong–willed.”
I paused, holding my suitcase, not to be
outdone.
“Did you forget? I’m still married to him…”
Suddenly, Ethan grabbed my arm.
“Sarah, who gave you the guts to bully Vivian
in front of me? And, I warned you, have you
forgotten everything I said?”
My heart felt a sudden sting.
Throughout our marriage. he never publicly
acknowledged me.
People only knew he was married, and he
wasn’t short of beautiful women.
Since I couldn’t participate in the competition,
I didn’t need to wait a week.
With that thought, I felt a little better.
Before returning home, I went to a lawyer’s office and printed a divorce agreement.
I sent another text to that number.
“No need to wait a week. I’ll leave in two
days.”
