Beyond the Break: Healing and Moving On

“Alright, stop talking nonsense. I want to take you to the hospital,” Diana said, her face full of concern as she looked at the blood oozing from the corner of my eye.

Despite my weakened state, she pulled me forcefully out of bed, pretending to be a caring wife, insisting on taking me to the hospital.

I was so out of it that I didn’t even grab a jacket.

The temperature in the car was set too low, so I hugged a stuffed animal to my chest for warmth.

Upon closer inspection, I noticed that my favorite teddy bear had a big X drawn across its face, like a blatant act of defiance.

Diana noticed my reaction. “William thought the toy was cute last time I picked him up, so he doodled on it. Don’t take it personally. I’ll buy you a new one tomorrow.

“Come on, don’t give me that attitude. You’re not getting any younger, and instead of earning a living, you waste your time fussing over a silly toy. I don’t even complain about it, so what right do you have to be upset?”

This teddy bear was a gift from my late grandmother. I gently wiped the mark off its face, too tired to argue.

Just then, William called. “Is he asleep yet? Forget about him and come join us for drinks. Emma and Fiona are here too.”

Diana glanced at me awkwardly. “He’s right next to me.”

“Then bring that bumpkin… your husband along. Don’t be such an old fogey.”

Looking at the location William sent, Diana turned the car around.

“I don’t want to go. I want to go home!”

The mention of drinks brought back unpleasant memories.

It was the first time I met Diana’s friends.

Despite my efforts to impress, I ended up being ridiculed.

They knew I couldn’t hold my liquor but still pressured me to drink, then took pictures of me in a drunken state and posted them online.

Diana, instead of staying with me, left me at the bar to take William home.

I woke up surrounded by a group of unsavory characters.

Though the manager intervened, the fear from that night still haunts me.

But Diana had long forgotten all about it.

“Don’t be so selfish, alright? What’s wrong with me catching up with old friends? I never interfere with your social life.”

“Then let me out. I’ll go home on my own.”

My head was spinning, and I just wanted to rest.

I didn’t have the energy to argue with her.

“No way. If you don’t show up, it’ll embarrass me in front of my friends. You have to come!”

Her stubbornness flared up again.

Seeing my displeasure, she added, “Come on, just say hello, and we’ll leave. Don’t make this harder for me.”

By the time we arrived, it was already past 2 a.m.

William greeted Diana with a warm hug, then looked me up and down. “What’s with the attitude, huh? Still mad at me? Don’t be so petty. Diana and I have been close for years. If we wanted something to happen, do you think you would’ve had the chance to marry her?”

With that, the group welcomed Diana warmly to sit with them. There were only four seats, and I was left standing.

“Hey, we’ve all been friends forever, so we’re used to this setup. There’s no extra seat…” William glanced around the room and smirked at me.

“How about you head back home? You wouldn’t understand what we’re talking about anyway.”

The four of them had been friends since childhood, and William, the youngest, was always their favorite.

During the years I loved Diana deeply, I tried my best to accept her friends and fit into her life.

But at every gathering, William would lead the conversation back to their shared past, mock my background, and discuss things I couldn’t participate in, leaving me out.

Sensing the awkwardness, Emma stood up to offer me her seat. “You can sit here, Grady.”

Looking at her, I suddenly recalled how she once asked Diana, “What does Grady have that William doesn’t? Why did you marry him?”

And what did Diana say? “I was just upset with William at the time and acted on impulse. I’ve regretted it ever since, but I felt sorry for him because he’s been trailing after me for so long.”

Remembering that, I let out a soft sigh.

“There’s no need. If we get divorced, there’ll be enough seats.”

In a marriage, there’s no room for a third person.

Diana stared at me in shock.

In all the years we’d been married, this was the first time I embarrassed her in front of her friends.

Usually, no matter how late she stayed out drinking, I would go pick her up without complaint after just one call.

But now, I wasn’t willing to keep sacrificing myself for her anymore.