Chapter 8
At home, I packed my things and printed out the divorce papers along with the messages Joanna had sent me. I looked around at the home we had built together, and a strange, heavy feeling settled in my chest.
I returned to my parents‘ place, but the house was empty. When I called, I found out they had gone on a trip.
It was the perfect opportunity for me to have some alone time and reflect.
Frank’s call came quicker than I expected.
“Anna, where are you? I don’t agree with the divorce. Joanna and I are just college classmates. Please don’t misunderstand.”
1/6
Chapter 8
+5 Points
“How long are you going to keep lying to me?” I asked calmly.
“I… I’m not lying! Joanna is just making things up. Don’t believe her. We’ve shared a bed for years–don’t you trust me?”
“I can’t tell which of your words are true and which are false anymore.”
“At the moment you started lying to me, our marriage already had a crack in it. Just sign the divorce papers. Let’s part on good terms.”
“I won’t divorce you. I won’t, Frank insisted stubbornly.
At that moment, I received a message from Joanna: “A substitute is just a substitute- how can you compare to me?”
The picture attached was Frank gently
2/6
Chapter 8
*5 Points
applying medicine to her wound.
“Wish you both happiness and a long life together, I rarely replied to her, but this time I did.
Once I made the decision to stop caring, the pain in my heart didn’t sting as much.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
I opened it to find Frank standing there with Joanna by his side.
“Anna, there’s nothing between us. I don’t know why she’s sending you all these messages. We’re just friends from college,” Frank said urgently.
“Joanna, you better explain yourself now,” he snapped at her, his eyes filled with
frustration.
3/6
Chapter 8
5 Points
“What do I need to explain?” Joanna retorted coldly. “Everything I’ve said is the truth. Were we not once in a romantic relationship? Didn’t you learn to cook for me? Didn’t all those items have my nickname engraved on them? Even the dishes you made–those are all the foods I love.”
“I have nothin
left to explain. Frank, just admit it. You still think of me. She’s just a placeholder, a temporary solution for your wounds, but in your heart, it’s always been me.”
I stood there, quietly watching their performance.
“Anna, I admit we were together before, but after she went abroad, we’ve just been regular friends. We still kept in touch, but it was mostly for work. Don’t misunderstand.”
4/6
Chapter 8
+ 5 Points
“She just came back from abroad and she
doesn’t have any friends here. That’s why I’ve been taking extra care of her.”
“The way you two are, that’s your business. I don’t care anymore,” I replied flatly.
“Anna, you still love me, right? You promised we’d always be together. You said it yourself” Frank said, his tone filled with desperation.
“Yes, I did
“Yes, I did say that, but your lies have crossed my boundaries. You promised you wouldn’t lie to me, yet time and again you’ve deceived me. You don’t even trust me anymore.”
“When I told you I was in a car accident, you didn’t believe me. You didn’t come home for over ten days and even pretended like you had been back. Does that amuse you? If you
5/6
Chapter 8
+5 Points
don’t want to be together, then don’t, I said, finally voicing all the frustration I’d been
holding in.
6/6
