Farewell, Cruel Love

My hard work wasn't supposed to be treated like this.

For the first time, I showed a vulnerable side in front of Michael. He looked surprised and panicked for a moment.

“I didn’t mean it like that,” he said.

“Your shares aren’t worth much money anyway. Can’t I just pay you double as compensation?”

Michael pulled out his phone and started typing in the password to transfer money to me. But before he finished, his phone rang. It was Regina.

Regina said she was afraid of the dark. Another bullshit reason. Without hesitation, he put his phone away. “That girl is delicate,” he said.

“I need to sleep with her.”

Then, he looked at me and added, “It’s not safe to move out at night. Let’s talk tomorrow morning. And don’t forget to send her a sugar-free breakfast before you leave. She’s pregnant and picky.”

I didn’t say a word. I just dragged my suitcase back into the room. I was too tired to argue anymore.

The next morning, when I woke up, there were two messages on my phone.

One was from that man.

[MP: See you at the entrance of the Town Hall at 1 pm, Evelyn.]

The other message was from Michael.

[Michael: It’s going to rain and you’re still not feeling well. Don’t rush to move out. Rest at home today. And don’t bring me food. I’m taking Regina to the Bistrot at Wild Honeys for dinner.]

After nine years of marriage, that was the first time Michael had ever told me where he was going. It was also the first time he had shown me even a small amount of concern. But it was too late.

Without replying, I blocked Michael’s number.

I quietly counted my things, packed the last of my luggage and got ready to leave.

As soon as I stepped out of the door, I saw Michael getting out of a red Ferrari, his face full of anger. He looked furious.

Without warning, he slapped me.

“You bitch!” he yelled.

“You act so kind and generous in front of me, but behind my back, you went crying to Grandpa and told him to block my bank card?”

“I was going to book the entire Bistrot at Wild Honeys and propose to Regina today! You embarrassed me!”

“From today on, don’t even dream of getting back together with me! And don’t even think about entering the Purnell Family ever again!”

Even after hitting me, Michael still wasn’t satisfied. He kicked my suitcase and sent it flying into the swimming pool. I watched the dowry my parents carefully prepared for me sinking into the water. But I didn’t care about my spinning head or the burning pain.

Without further ado, I jumped into the water without thinking. The wounds on my body, which hadn’t fully healed yet, tore open again. Blood mixed with the water, turning it red.

By the time I pulled everything out, I was completely soaked. My whole body was swollen after what I had endured. My skin looked very pale, almost lifeless. Indeed, I was almost dead.

Regina walked over with some clothes. She pretended to help me, but when she touched my wounds, she twisted them cruelly with her fingers. She was indeed a very cruel woman.

“Do you think just because Mr. Purnell once cared about you, you can stay here forever?” she asked as she sneered.

“Michael loves me. And Mrs. Purnell title will always belong to me.”

“We’re getting our marriage certificate this afternoon. You can cry while hugging your divorce papers.”

I could only lie by the pool, gasping in pain. I couldn’t say a single word. My chest hurt too much.

Michael looked at me with disgust. He spat near my face and walked away, holding Regina like she was a queen. A kind stranger saw everything and rushed me to the hospital.

While I was being treated, Regina kept sending me messages filled with cruel words and pictures of her with Michael. She reminded me again and again.

Regina told me that during my car accident, Michael ignored my calls for help because he was watching a concert with her. Then, she told me that I was kicked out of the Purnell Family board for leaking documents, which was something I didn’t even do.

It was all because Michael was clearing the way for her.

Not only that, she also told me that everything from the company, the mansion, to even the Purnell and Cooke Family’s old homes were now under her name. And worst of all, that Michael had taken her to every place he had once promised to take me.

It was clear. Regina wanted me to feel broken. To give up. But what she didn’t know was that I had already stopped loving Michael. There was nothing left to give up.

I turned off my phone.

Soon enough, it was almost 1 p.m.

At 1 p.m., I went to the Town Hall alone.

The man I had been thinking about all this time was already there, waiting for me with a smile. He gently handed me the marriage certificate and carefully slipped a diamond ring on my finger. When I saw him, it felt relieving. It had been a while since I felt like this.

“I’ll drive,” he said.

“Let’s go home.”

Just as we were about to leave, Michael and Regina walked in.

Michael looked at me like I was disturbing his peace.

“Evelyn, I told you already. I won’t remarry you. Stop bothering me.”

I smiled calmly and looked straight at him.

“You misunderstood,” I said.

“I didn’t come here to bother you because of you. You’re very wrong, actually.”

I didn’t want to hear Michael’s accusations anymore.

Without a word, I lifted the marriage certificate in my hand.

“I’m here because I got married.”