A House for Him, a Divorce for Us

I paused towel-drying my hair and smiled mockingly.

Why did I not iron her dress, she asked?

In the past, I would have ironed the dresses she planned to wear each day the night before. However, the moment she dragged me out of the car earlier, my body was just starting to recover, and I immediately muted her on my phone.

I blinked and found a random excuse.

"My hand hurts. I couldn't use my phone to check messages."

Lily glanced at my bandaged right hand, a strange expression flickering in her eyes. She tossed a tube of ointment in front of me. "This is to stop the bleeding. The doctor said this ointment is effective."

I picked up the ointment and looked at it, curling my lip.

Unbelievable. It was expired medicine.

In mere minutes, Lily's dissatisfied voice echoed in my ears.

"John is kind-hearted, not petty and malicious like you. He knew you were injured and specially bought this ointment for me to give to you."

"No need, tell him to use it himself," I said, tossing the ointment onto the table, where it slid off and landed in the trash.

Lily stood up and glared daggers at me. "What the hell is wrong with you again? John bought this from the pharmacy just for you, and you throw it in the garbage?

"I know you're mad. Is it just because I bought a house for John today? But it's my money, and I can spend it on whoever I want! You're the petty one. I haven't even taken it out on you yet!"

She went on a tirade, her words making my head spin, leaving me breathless.

"I'm not angry. Can you give me a moment to catch my breath..."

"Faking your illness again?" Lily interrupted, impatiently smacking me on the head. "You're not depressed. You're just sick in the head. Your brain is damaged!

"Not only is your brain messed up, but you're also vicious!"

Since John had come back, Lily started accusing me of being cruel at every turn. She said I was forcing her to be heartless and ungrateful.

I used to patiently explain to her that I cared about John because I wanted her to favor me. At this point, if she wanted to be a woman of promise and integrity, let her be.

I said flatly, "Yeah, I'm vicious. Could you leave me alone to rest?"

Lily was taken aback for a second, then stormed out, slamming the bedroom door behind her.

I lay on my side, playing soft music to calm myself. Unfortunately, my depression hit again, causing my heart to pound and spasm uncontrollably.

From the living room, I could hear Lily's sweet voice comforting John over the phone, her laughter clear and tender.

Just as I was about to drift off, I heard the bedroom door open. Lily slipped into bed, sliding under the covers to embrace me from behind.

"It's Saturday, time for our weekly check," she whispered.

Ever since John came back, I had suspected they were having an affair. To prove her loyalty, Lily had scheduled these weekly sessions, saying I could inspect her however I wanted. I blocked her hand with mine.

"I'm too tired today. Let's skip to next week."

Lily froze, then exhaled in relief. "Honestly, I didn't want to do it either. If it weren't for my parents being so fond of you, do you think I'd even touch you?"

She got up abruptly and slammed the door on her way out. I locked the bedroom door and packed what I needed for surgery the next day.

At the same time, I messaged my lawyer to prepare the divorce papers.

Lily disappeared for five days straight, but I saw her next on John's social media. His caption read, [Seventeen years of knowing each other, eight years in love, and now closer than lovers.]

The picture was from a birthday party. John had his arm around Lily, wearing a brand-new luxury watch.

Looking closely, I noticed it was identical to the one I had ordered months ago. Two weeks ago, Lily had gone to pick up the watch for me at the store but never followed through.

I chuckled sarcastically and quietly liked the post.

Seconds later, Lily called me.

"Come downstairs in half an hour. I'm taking you to a party. Oh, and this is your reward for behaving well lately."

I was about to decline, but she hung up immediately. Knowing the divorce process had to move along smoothly, I took a cab home from the hospital.

In the car, Lily started talking about celebrating John's birthday.

"Don't be upset. Back when we were dating, I promised him I'd celebrate his birthday every year if he wanted me to.

"Frankly, I don't even have to explain this to you. This is my private life."

I nodded calmly. "I'm not upset. Celebrating his birthday is the right thing to do."

Lily's expression shifted, her eyes betraying a complicated emotion.

When we arrived, I learned it was actually her friend Lomi's celebration party, held on a yacht. Oddly, John was not there.

"Mr. Thompson, it's partly thanks to you I can throw this party today," said Lomi Meyers, clinking her champagne glass against mine.

It was a compliment, but also true.

Back then, for Lily's sake, I had helped Lomi make some connections.

I poured myself a cup of tea. "Congratulations. I haven't been feeling well, so I'll toast with tea instead of alcohol."

Lomi's smile did not waver. "I heard you're taking over the overseas market soon. Congrats on that, too."

I smiled slightly.

Lily walked up behind me with a glass of wine, her expression changing when she heard Lomi's words.

"Going abroad? Why didn't you tell me? Who said you could go?"