15
With
dignity.”
Cora learned about our plans to divorce. She wanted to off puppy ellen
would seem like charity.
advice but couldn’t find the words. She was a beneficiary, and anything she said
She never mentioned Declan and only told me to take care of myself after the postpartum period, always finding excuses to take me out to eat and shop.
Looking at the young girl trying hard to cheer me up despite her inner conflict, I felt a warmth in my heart. She did nothing wrong; she knew nothing. She only offered a bit of warmth when Declan was feeling down.
I held Cora’s hand and tried to smile.
“Cora, I’m really glad to have you as a friend.”
Cora hugged me, and her repressed conflict and helplessness finally burst out as she cried.
“Phoebe, I’m sorry, it’s all my fault. I didn’t know anything. I hurt you, I’m sorry!”
“It’s not your fault; everyone makes their own choices. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
Cora sobbed, “Phoebe, no matter what choice you make, I’ll support you unconditionally. No man is worth it; you’ll always be my best sister.”
I wiped the tears from her eyes with a smile.
“Declan, see? I am worthy of love.”
16
After a month of stalemate, Declan agreed to divorce. He realized that I wasn’t the Phoebe he thought I was.
Hesitation wouldn’t make me compromise; it would only lead to stronger resistance. If he dragged out the divorce, I’d file a lawsuit.
I had the Phoebe family behind me, and there’s no such thing as a marriage that can’t be ended.
As we walked out of the office, he hesitated to speak.
“There’s still a month of the divorce cooling–off period, if…”
“No ‘ifs.” I calmly interrupted him.
“From the moment you deceived my feelings, this ending was set.”
*T’Il contact a moving company to take my stuff. Anything I leave behind, just throw away. Transfer the divorce settlement to my card as agreed.”
“Phoebe, do we really have to settle everything so clearly?”
“We’re getting divorced, so of course, we should settle everything. I was once blind in love and couldn’t see clearly, but at least now I can settle the money clearly.”
10:23 AM
<
Declan looked full of reluctance.
“Actually, I never wanted to divorce you. I wanted to have a good life with you…”
“There’s no point in saying that now.”
I strode forward.
“A month from today, I hope you’re on time. Don’t pull any drama. Declan, don’t make me hate you more.”
I walked to my car, and just as I opened the door, I heard Declan shouting behind me.
“Phoebe, in these 13 years, have you ever loved me?”
I didn’t turn my head or answer, just left without hesitation.
Unequal love isn’t love; at most, it’s one–sided infatuation.
I’ve finally walked out of the villainess’s cage and toward my new world.
Declan’s Side Story
I thought I didn’t love Phoebe, but I got a harsh reality check.
I really, really like the Phoebe of today!
The summer when Phoebe transferred to our class at 17, I was certain about my past life memories, so I remained vigilant towards her.
The Phoebe family was rich and powerful, but then I was just a high school student with nothing, living under someone else’s roof. If 1 confronted her directly, I’d probably suffer.
So I approached her under the guise of admiration. As long as I was by her side watching her every moment, she couldn’t hurt Cora. I kept telling myself this.
But the Phoebe of today seemed different. She was always smiling, kind, and even became close friends with Cora. No, this was all her
disguise.
This woman was rotten to the core, full of poison. The closer she got to Cora, the nicer I treated her, until I saw shy affection in her eyes.
! was pleased; my goal was achieved. This way, I could control her better.
After the college entrance exams, I mustered the courage to kiss her. I tried to ignore my pounding heart and suppress the wild throbbing inside, constantly reminding myself it was all her disguise. Phoebe, she’s just a bad woman.
I feared falling for Phoebe’s gentleness, so I started writing a diary to remind myself repeatedly–I loved Cora. I loved the Cora who gave me a warm bun when my uncle kicked me out and I was starving; I loved the Cora who gave me medicine when my cousin bullied me.
I could only love the kind and beautiful Cora.
Just like in the previous life, Cora fell in love with Jasper again. Without Phoebe causing trouble, they quickly got together and built a happy family.
Phoebe and I naturally ended up together. As we spent more time together, I found the current Phoebe quite nice.
Gentle, sensible, meticulous, and treated me so well that I had no complaints. But whenever I indulged in her tenderness, I’d remember the
cruel scenes of Phoebe bullying Cora with thugs.
If Jasper and I hadn’t arrived in time, the consequences would have been unimaginable. And when she and her friends cornered Cora in the restroom to bully her, her past misdeeds haunted my mind.
I wavered between falling and staying clear–headed, eventually deciding to muddle through. As long as Phoebe didn’t hurt Cora, I’d just live
Any explanation seemed pale. Our relationship began to crack, forming an insurmountable chasm.
When Phoebe left, I realized I’d fallen for her long ago. I deeply loved the current Phoebe.
I didn’t want a divorce. I truly didn’t want a divorce! But I also didn’t want to see the look of disgust and disdain on her face anymore.
Her clear confession shattered all my self–deception, exposing all my disgrace and cruelty. What right did I have to bind someone I’d hurt with marriage?
i could only let go.
After the divorce, it felt like I lost the whole world. Cora, knowing my feelings, began to keep her distance.
Jasper couldn’t be friends with someone who once had ulterior motives towards his wife.
My days were reduced to shuttling between the company and home, like a numb machine. No lover, no friends. In moments of loss and pain, I could only numb myself with alcohol.
{
But there would never be Phoebe’s gentle whispers, patient reminders, or tender care again…
Sometimes I wondered, what’s the point of being reborn? Was it just to miss out on true love?
Living felt so meaningless. I even masochistically wondered if I died, would Phoebe feel sorry for me? Would she shed tears for me?
When Cora’s baby turned one month old, I snuck over to watch their happiness from afar.
I knew clearly that I wasn’t there for Cora. Phoebe held the baby, beaming, having walked out of her past shadows. In truth, she was always a sunny, cheerful, positive, and kind girl–the person I loved the most.
Cora was beside her, smiling as she played with the baby.
“Sweetie, this is your godmother, Phoebe.”
Bitterness spread in my heart. I finally got the punishment I deserved, constantly tortured by my past arrogance in every future moment.
I once had a happy family. A gentle, kind wife, and a baby on the way. But I lost it all.
Truly, the cruelest thing in this world is–1 once had it all.
