Divorce After Deception

I followed the directions from Jrue’s best friend and arrived at the bar. Before I even pushed open the door to the private room, I could hear laughter and chatter inside.

“Lilian, what brings you back from overseas? Are you here because you couldn't resist Jrue?”

“Come on, guys, we're just friends now. Besides, Jrue has a family, doesn't he?”

The flirtatious voice slipped through the crack in the door, freezing me in place.

Lilian Perry. That name from Jrue’s diary, his obsession abroad.

Taking a deep breath, I steeled myself and opened the door. As soon as I appeared, silence fell over the room. My gaze settled on the man huddled in the corner, looking somewhat pitiable.

Jrue was slumped on the corner sofa, his large frame appearing dejected. Beside him sat a woman with flowing waves of hair, radiating magnetic charm. As soon as she noticed me, her lips curled into an amused, almost mocking smile. I recognized that face from Jrue’s phone wallpaper.

Back then, I asked him whose face it was and why he used that picture. He brushed it off as just a random image from the internet.

Turns out, he was deceiving me all along.

“I’m here to take him home,” I said, my voice trembling, pointing to the man on the sofa. Jrue instinctively glanced at Lilian, then shot me a look full of irritation, as though I had interrupted their moment.

“Jrue, is this your...?”

“Assistant. She’s just my assistant.”

With Jrue’s words, all eyes landed on me—some filled with pity, others with ridicule, each gaze cutting painfully into my chest.

“Jrue...” His friend, who had called me, stood up, uncertainty written on his face, as if he wanted to say something, but I cut him off.

“Yes, I'm Jrue’s assistant, here to take him home.”

Jrue rubbed his forehead, casually tossing his coat to me, then walked over to Lilian with a concerned look.

“Let me take you home. It’s late, and I wouldn't want anything to happen to you.”

My grip on the coat tightened. So he understood the dangers for a woman out alone at night, yet always had me pick him up and drop him off. Only Lilian’s safety seemed to matter. What about mine?

“No need, remember we’re in a safer place now than back in the States.”

“I know what happened a couple of years ago when I was attacked abroad left a scar, but don’t worry. I can handle myself now.”

I noticed Lilian sneak a glance at me, her eyes filled with challenge.

All these years, Jrue had been keeping track of Lilian’s life, even knowing about her troubles overseas. The thought made me laugh at myself.

“You're Jrue’s assistant, right? He’s pretty drunk, so take it easy on your way home.”

“When Jrue drinks too much, he can be a handful at night. You’d better stay at his place tonight to keep an eye on him.”

Lilian spoke with a commanding tone, and the others exchanged knowing looks. Lilian might be oblivious to my true identity, but everyone else knew. Many of them had attended our wedding.

I clenched my fists, wanting to speak up, but Jrue grabbed my arm.

“We’ll head out now. Lilian, if you need anything, call me. It's still the same number.”

With that, he pulled me away.

Watching his retreating figure, I felt a chill sweep over me, my mind teetering on the brink, my body numb and cold.

I’ve been married to Jrue for years, and I know he can be difficult when drunk. But tonight, he was unusually quiet, going straight to the bedroom without a word once we got home.

If he'd just looked at me a little longer, he would notice how pale I am, my lips devoid of color. But he couldn't spare me even a glance.

Normally, I would rush after him to care for him, but today I couldn't find the strength. Seeing him only reminded me of that heartbreaking diary, suffocating me with its memories.