For Our Anniversary, My Gift is My Departure

After saying that,Victor walked straight out.He was heading to the karaoke to'order'Vivian.She did not want to give up her career and he could not bear the thought of other men ordering his woman.So,for the past few years,he had shown up every night to support her business.

Just before I lost consciousness from the pain over the roar of a car engine,I heard him say to my son.

"Drag your mother to the guest room.I’m bringing Vivian home tomorrow.She’ll be sleeping in the master bedroom."

"Also,don’t let your mother dirty the floor.Vivian hates anything dirty."

I took a deep breath,turned around and was about to leave,but Victor suddenly grabbed my collar and yanked me back.

The force knocked the air out of my lungs and I began coughing uncontrollably.

"Where do you think you’re going?Elena,you hurt Vivian and you’re not even going to apologize?"

I instinctively defended myself.

"I didn’t!I clearly…"

Before I could finish,Victor slapped me across the face,then shoved me to the ground,still clutching my collar.

"Stop making excuses and say you're sorry.Kneel.Apologize to Vivian."

He said every word with chilling certainty in his eyes and I felt my heart sinking deeper and deeper.

I looked at Vivian.My mouth opened,but I could not force out the words"I’m sorry."

I really did not know what I had done to wrong her.

Why was it always me apologizing for someone else’s mistake?

For the past thirty years of marriage,I had apologized every single day.

I apologized when there was a wrinkle on the suit I ironed for Victor.

I apologized when I made breakfast and the porridge was cold by the time my son finally got out of bed to eat.

I apologized when I went to pick up my grandson from kindergarten and he tripped after stepping on my foot.

I had said sorry so many times.What was one more to Vivian?

Just let me walk out that door.

Once I got out of this place,they would not be able to hurt me anymore.

Thinking of this,a flicker of hope rose in my heart.I knelt down and looked into Vivian’s eyes with sincerity.

"I’m sorry.It’s my fault you got hurt.Will you forgive me?"

Seeing me lower myself into the dust,speaking so cautiously,Victor frowned.

"Elena,your former sponsor isn’t here anymore.No one pities your tears.Who are you trying to fool with that act?"

My heart sank.

Just as he finished speaking,the bodyguard returned with the doctor and pushed open the door.

The doctor carried a medical kit and then rushed over to Vivian.

Everyone’s attention shifted back to her.No one even glanced my way.

While they were all focused on Vivian,I quietly pushed open the door to the private box and stepped out without a shred of reluctance.

As I walked down the corridor out of the karaoke,I heard the roar of a helicopter overhead.

Looking up,I saw a familiar private jet hovering above.

I quickened my pace toward the helipad,where the helicopter was preparing to land.

Unfortunately,that was when the accident happened.

Just as I broke into a jog,Victor’s bodyguards burst out of the karaoke like wild animals.

Without a word,a group of burly men in black seized me from both sides and dragged me roughly back toward the private box.

My canvas shoes were pulled off in the struggle and my heels scraped against the rough floor,leaving vivid trails of blood along the corridor tiles.

Back inside the karaoke room,I was disheveled,pinned to the floor by bodyguards at Victor’s feet.

Vivian was leaning weakly against his chest,eyes closed,seemingly unconscious.

My son and daughter-in-law were at her side,holding her hands with concern.

"How dare you drug Vivian,Elena?You vicious woman!"

Victor kicked me hard in the chest and I coughed up a mouthful of blood.