He was once a safe harbor

When I was injured by the stage chandelier on the runway, Kevin held his fake cousin protectively, looking anxious, "Don't worry, I'm here."

I barely finished the show, almost passing out from the pain backstage.

He harshly said, "Stop pretending. It's just a scratch, are you dying or what? Tonight, I'm taking Wendy out to experience the world. Don't forget to wash Wendy's clothes. Oh, and remember to hand-wash them."

This was the hundredth time Kevin had left me behind for his non-blood-related 'cousin.' I stared blankly at the wedding ring on my ring finger, thinking maybe it was time to end this marriage.

——

After taking off the ring, the pale mark on my ring finger stood out. It was a brand from ten years of marriage, a shackle on my heart.

"Amy, there are some intimate pieces in my room too, could you help me wash those too? Kevin and I might be out till midnight." Wendy's voice pulled me back to reality as she returned at some point.

She whined at me, looking cute and playful. Behind her stood Kevin, his face full of indulgence, his eyes brimming with affection.

Kevin's gaze didn't even linger on me for a second, he merely said coldly, "Remember to prepare a late-night snack. Wendy's stomach isn't great lately and the food outside is too greasy."

I'm a model, I always controlling my diet and weight. Constant dieting has made my stomach fragile, yet Kevin loves heavy, oily and spicy food and never chooses something gentler for me.

But now, he cares deeply about Wendy's stomach issues. I clenched my fists, forcing myself to hold back the tears on the verge of falling.

"Alright." I didn't know if my voice quivered, but the pain in my chest was so intense that I couldn't breathe. Through tear-blurred eyes, I saw his black leather shoes pause.

One hundred times. This was the hundredth time Kevin had left me for Wendy, yet it was the first time I didn't cry, didn't break down, I just let him go quietly. When was the last time?

Just yesterday, when Wendy jokingly said she wondered how long it would take to walk back from the show venue to the hotel.

Kevin left me on the roadside, "Let her try. She needs to lose weight anyway, she can walk back."

In a foreign city, under falling snow, I walked six miles back to the hotel.

My hands and feet were so numb with cold that I lost all sensation, yet Kevin didn't offer a word of apology or explanation upon seeing me. Instead, he questioned, "Why did it take you so long to get back?"

Hurt and frustration swelled up, but Kevin waved me off impatiently and turned to enter Wendy's room. That night, Kevin didn't return to our room.

I listened to the sounds of their laughter next door all night. The sounds echoed endlessly as noise came from the hallway outside my room.

Kevin and Wendy had returned. I watched as Wendy walked in, laden with bags and she said, "Amy, look, Kevin bought me this new limited-edition bag. And this dress, handmade in Italy, one of a kind."

Swallowing my bitterness, I turned away, no longer looking at her.

"Amy, did you really make us a midnight snack?" Wendy's shrill voice sounded exaggerated as she leaned over, then wrinkled her nose and covered her mouth, saying, "Amy, don't you know I'm allergic to eggs?"

Watching the steaming egg and cheese pasta in the pot, a fresh wave of bitterness welled up in my eyes.