Better Without You

"You seem different today. Where are you headed? Let me drive you." Benjamin sounded unusually attentive.

I caught a glimpse of myself in the rearview mirror, my tailored casual suit a stark contrast to the demure dresses I used to wear around him. In the three years he was gone, I started my own company, handled business negotiations and even learned to fix my own plumbing. I never needed him to survive.

As for driving … "Oh, don't bother me. I'm probably better at it than you now."

Besides, I had a more important reason for going out today. I was taking Esther to cancel our household registration.

Three hours later, we walked out of the government office, only to find Benjamin's car still parked at the entrance. He stood outside, his brows furrowed as he stared at me. "Jocelyn, what are you doing here with our daughter?"

He had followed us, watched me carry Esther inside and then waited three whole hours. For some reason, an uneasy feeling clawed at his chest.

I smiled. "Nothing much. Our documents expired, so we came to renew them. Aren't you busy today? I heard Cynthia is job-hunting. She probably needs you."

Benjamin's eyes darkened, scrutinizing me. After a long silence, he let out a cold laugh. "Jocelyn, you're something else. This is the first time I've seen a wife pushing her own husband away. Since you insist, I'll do as you wish."

He slammed the car door shut and his car sped off, leaving me standing there in stunned silence. I couldn't understand it. I was giving him exactly what he wanted: freedom to be with Cynthia. So, why was he angry?

It wasn't until his assistant called me that I finally found out. "Madam, Mr. Jameson cleared his entire schedule today just to spend time with you and Esther. Why did you upset him like that? Now look what's happened. He's drinking himself into oblivion and has gone to see Cynthia and her daughter ... "

His assistant had always believed we were a perfect match and tried to bring us back together. Now, seeing the way things were, I could only manage a wry smile. "Thanks for telling me, but let him be."

After all, I had my own plans. In three days, Esther and I would be leaving this place for good. However, fate seemed to have other ideas. On the very day I finalized Esther's transfer to a new school, Jessica pushed her into the pool, triggering a sudden and severe medical emergency.

Panic seized me as I rushed Esther to the hospital, desperate for help. Alas, I was met with devastating news when I arrived. Benjamin had used his influence to divert all of the city's medical resources to treat Jessica's allergic reaction.

Esther lay in the hospital bed, her small face pale and lifeless. I frantically dialed Benjamin's number, begging him to save our daughter. On the other end of the line, I heard Cynthia's sobs.

Benjamin sounded exhausted, but then he let out a cold laugh. "Jocelyn, what act are you putting on this time? Esther is perfectly fine. How could anything have happened to her? That day, I set aside everything for you two, but you pushed me away. Now that Jessica's in critical condition, you're trying to play some jealous game again?"

A metallic taste filled my throat. Just as I was about to explain, the call ended. A busy signal droned in my ears.

A crushing sense of despair swallowed me whole. I expected to see tears and panic when I looked at Esther, but instead, she gave me a serene, wise-for-her-age expression. She mustered a tiny, courageous smile despite her poor breathing and oxygen mask attachment. "Mommy. Daddy really doesn't want me anymore, does he?"

Her trembling hand reached out and she gently wiped away the tears streaming down my face. "Don't cry, Mommy. If Daddy doesn't want me, then I don't want him either."

In the end, I had to call my father, begging him to use his connections to find a doctor who would save my daughter's life. He managed to pull some strings, but a top specialist from a neighboring city was rushed in.

During the days that followed, Benjamin never once appeared at the hospital. Yet, on the news, he was being praised for mobilizing all of the city's medical resources to "save a life."

My heart was as cold as ice as I gazed at his concerned face on the screen. "Ben, since you love them so much, my daughter and I will help you."

On the day Esther was finally discharged from the hospital, I finalized the cancellation of our household registration. Then I deleted Benjamin's contact information from my phone, snapped the SIM card in half and completely left the city with Esther.