After We Left, My Husband and Father Went Insane

“Mom, are you okay? Sabrina didn’t bully you, did she?”

“Don’t worry, I’ll protect Demi.”

“Dad, you’re the best. Everything’s set for the wedding. Just one more day…”

On Demi’s phone, their voices were filled with joy, sounding like a perfect little family.

I let out a cold laugh, finding it all painfully ironic. The promises Gaten once made to my mother had now been tossed aside like garbage.

After we left the house, a thought suddenly struck me. I suggested we go to the Armitage home.

When we arrived, it was empty. Looking around at the cozy space Cooper and I had once designed together, I felt nothing but distance. Everything had changed beyond recognition.

I sighed and walked into the room to retrieve my things.

Inside the cabinet was an iron box, heavy with the weight of memories, every piece a fragment of my love with Cooper. I had met him by chance, through an accident. Back then, I was young and reckless, infatuated with racing. My parents had strictly forbidden it, so I could only practice in secret.

I had always loved the thrill of speed, though no one around me ever understood; only Ava supported me.

During the annual racing competition, I secretly signed up without telling my parents. I believed that with my skills, I could at least place third. Everything had gone smoothly until the final stretch.

Out of nowhere, my car malfunctioned and slammed into the guardrail, sparks bursting in every direction. Lacking experience, I panicked.

Just then, the driver ahead slowed down and blocked me in time, preventing what could’ve been a far worse disaster.

When the car caught fire, it was that driver who rushed back to pull me out. He had been heading straight for the championship, yet he chose to stop, risking injury just to save me.

As my consciousness faded, I heard voices in the chaos around me murmuring about his nickname: “Kevy”.

When I woke up, I was covered in injuries, lying in a hospital bed. The first person I saw was Cooper, standing quietly at my side.

My family and I thanked him sincerely. Over time, I found my feelings for him slowly growing. Two years later, we got married.

After being with him, I never raced again. He always said it was too dangerous, that he didn’t want me getting hurt ever again. So I stayed home, cooking, cleaning, taking care of everything for him.

I picked up that familiar set of car keys; the keychain still bore faint stains of blood from that day. Since I was leaving now, it felt like time to start over—a new beginning.

Just then, my eyes landed on a music score lying on the table. I paused.

It had been a gift from Cooper. I remembered how surprised I’d been when I first discovered it. I never expected him to be so talented.

I picked up the score, only to discover several additional pages tucked behind it. When I laid them out, they formed a complete piece. But the small handwriting on the back sent a chill through my chest; it was composed to commemorate Cooper’s ten-year bond with Dixie. It had nothing to do with me.

I had heard the name before, Dixie, his childhood friend. Years ago, her family had arranged for her to marry abroad. And now, I realized it all, I had merely been her stand-in from the very beginning.

I stood frozen, a bitter laugh escaping my lips, just as Ava’s call came through.

“I looked into it. Dixie returned to the country half a year ago. She divorced her husband… and Cooper rushed to her side. I heard they’re probably getting married.”

I wasn’t surprised. Ava, clearly disgusted with Cooper, quickly changed the subject.

“Stop crying over that jerk. Kevin’s back in town. Don’t be sad, come out with me.”

The Kevin she mentioned was Kevin Timberlake, the one who grew up with us, always like a gentle older brother in our eyes. I nodded, ready to walk away from this place.

But just as I turned, I crashed straight into Cooper, and behind him stood Dixie, her arms filled with large bags of gifts.

“Where are you going?” Cooper asked, his tone cold. “Dixie hasn’t eaten yet. Cook for her before you leave.”

He knelt, removing Dixie’s heels with care, and wrapped a bandage gently around her heel, a gesture that once belonged to me.

I stayed silent. Soon, Dixie took out her phone and held it up.

“This is from my mom. Isn’t it beautiful?”

On her screen was a photo, not just of my mother’s pearl necklace, but the rest of her jewelry too.

“At the wedding in a couple of days, I’ll look stunning wearing them. They’ll surely bring fortune to my baby,” Dixie said smugly, gently stroking her pregnant belly.

I didn’t even want to acknowledge her. My hand tightened around the car keys, ready to leave.

“I told you to stay. What more do you want?” Cooper snapped, grabbing my wrist in frustration.

“Since you had me sign the divorce papers half a year ago, where I go has nothing to do with you.”

From the side, Dixie added fuel to the fire with a mocking tone. “If you’re leaving, then don’t bother coming back.”

I shook off Cooper’s hand, yanked the door open, and walked out without a word. As I left, I deleted my fingerprints from the passcode lock, one final gesture of severance.

With that, I left and did not look back.