How pathetic.
Did Summer know he wouldn’t divorce? He
probably had different stories for each of us.
I was glad I was leaving; this life would kill
- me.
- 17.
L
Since Jeff wouldn’t agree to a peaceful
divorce, I sued.
I braced for a long battle, but underestimated
Jeff and his family’s shamelessness.
Jeff’s mother “accidentally” spilled coffee on
my phone.
While my phone was unusable, Jeff took Lily
from school and hid her.
He knew how close we were!
He ignored my calls, texting: “Either stay
married, or divorce and never see Lily again.
Choose.”
Chloe was with me; she saw the text and
raged. “What a garbage man! Threatening
you with Lily! Shameless!”
She was right.
My love for ten years was a despicable piece
of trash.
If murder wasn’t illegal, I’d chop him up.
But I had to stay calm.
- 18.
Jeff sent a video–Lily happily with his family.
“Your parents don’t support the divorce; will
Lily be happy with you?”
“As a mother, you’re selfish. Have you
considered Lily’s future?”
“I’ll end things with Summer, just promise to
stay married.”
Summer was at his house.
He didn’t know I’d added Summer on
WeChat.
Summer wouldn’t miss this opportunity. She
posted a photo from Jeff’s bedroom.
In the blurry background, our wedding photo
was on the nightstand.
Only I could see this photo.
Jeff was shameless; were his parents too?
We weren’t divorced, yet Summer was living
there? Did they think this would force me to
give in?
And Lily? She was so young, would they
manipulate her?
Did she miss me? Or had she forgotten?
I trembled, hearing a sound… my heart
breaking.
Life was meaningless. Betrayal, unsupportive
parents, only darkness.
I flashed back to memories with Jeff. Vows
turned to ashes.
- 19.
I woke up in the hospital.
Chloe was frantic. “You scared me! 107.8°F! If
I hadn’t found you, you’d have burned out!”
I apologized.
Chloe’s eyes welled up. “You were strong for
Lily. Now she’s gone, and your heart broke.
It’s no wonder you’re sick!”
I couldn’t speak; my body and heart ached.
Chloe said, “I found where Jeff hid Lily. Get
better, don’t let Lily wait on you.”
<
“Really?”
Chloe smirked. “Would I lie?”
“Thank you.
- 20.
“”
Before seeing Lily, I thought she’d want to
come home.
She shook her head. “Mommy, I’m fine here. I
don’t want to go.”
It felt like lightning. I froze.
Chloe rushed forward. “Lily, your mom is
sick! Come with us.
“”
Lily shook her head again, looking at me.
“Mommy, rest. I’ll take care of myself.”
Her calmness was frightening, and she was
distant.
I wanted to hug her.
Jeff’s parents appeared, shoving me away.
I fell, seeing stars.
“Mommy…” I heard Lily whisper.
But when I looked, Jeff’s mother had carried
<
her inside.
Jeff’s father yelled, threatening to call the
police.
Chloe exploded. “Call them! Let’s see what
you say! Hiding a child and you think you’re
right?!”
They fought, but I was too weak, sweating.
Chloe helped me to the car, rushing to the
hospital.
- 21.
The doctor said I was weak and stressed; I
needed rest or I’d collapse.
Recovering would take time.
Chloe said, “You’re most important. Lily likes
it there, let it go. Being single is freeing.”
She had no kids, so she didn’t understand,
but she meant well.
I nodded.
There was a mediation before the trial; we
couldn’t agree.
<
Then the trial. Jeff, Lily, and his parents
came. Summer was in the car, but didn’t get
out.
Lily waved. “Mommy!”
Jeff glared, handing Lily to his mother,
approaching me.
“Give in, and I’ll take you back.”
I smiled, looking at Lily. My voice was calm.
“You took Lily, why would I give in?”
‘Jeff, you’re disgusting. You don’t deserve
me.”
“You—”
He was angry; I provoked him, but his father
stopped him.
- 22.
The trial was long and tedious.
The calmer I was, the angrier Jeff became.
They paused; Jeff approached.
“Katherine, we’ve been together for almost
ten years. Must we destroy everything?”
i looked at him coldly. “You cheated first.” Jeff frowned. “I admit it, but for Lily’s sake, can we compromise?”
He took out a ring. Mine, left behind when I moved out.
He held it out. “Katherine, I know you still love me. Give me another chance.”
The diamond sparkled.
Once, it represented happiness. Now, it was blinding.
“I don’t want things I’ve thrown away.”
“I’ll buy you a bigger one.”
“”
I stared coldly. “Jeff, I didn’t throw away the
ring, I threw you away.‘
