I Found a One-Way Ticket to Freedom

Everyone knew that back in college, I had pursued Derrick relentlessly for three years, and in the end, he had no choice but to marry me, only because we had slept together.

I had a rare talent for design and had even had the opportunity to further my studies in Crestver. But I gave it up without a second thought to marry Derrick, choosing instead to become a full-time housewife. I even picked up skills I never bothered with at home, like cooking and giving massages, for him.

I ignored my teachers' and parents' stern warnings, and even my best friend's frustration at my stubbornness. None of them mattered. All I cared about was staying by Derrick's side.

I shook my head, pushing those memories away, and smiled at Crystal.

"I called you here today because I need your help to draft a divorce agreement."

Shocked by my words, Crystal immediately pulled me into her car.

I listened as she rambled on, saying she would help me fight for more rights and free myself from that jerk as soon as possible. For the first time, I felt a sense of relief. Even the hurt of being abandoned by Derrick on the roadside slowly faded away.

Crystal took me out to celebrate my impending freedom and refused to let me go home until the early hours of the morning. She also wouldn't let me keep my phone.

By the time I finally checked my messages, Derrick had nearly blown up my phone with calls, along with countless texts.

When I replied to his texts, I saw that none of my messages went through. He had blocked me.

But I wasn't bothered in the least. I blocked and deleted him right back. I wanted him out of sight and out of mind.

…

When I returned home the next morning, I saw Jessica there.

She was holding a plate of breakfast, and the moment she saw me, she rushed over and grabbed my hand.

"You're here! Come, have a seat!"

She behaved as though she were the lady of the house.

Jessica leaned close to me and whispered, "I should thank you, Clary, for not coming home last night. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been here. But then again, even if you were home, I would have come over sooner or later."

With that, she looked at me smugly.

She was charming and pretty, while I, after years as a housewife focused solely on Derrick, had grown pale and wan.

Had it been in the past, seeing her would have made me bitter and insecure. But this time, I did not react with anger as she had hoped. I simply smiled faintly back at her.

"Is that so? Well, you're welcome to visit. Make yourself at home."

I had the divorce papers that Crystal prepared for me in my bag, and all I wanted was to give them to Derrick as soon as possible.

But Jessica clung to my hand, refusing to let me leave, chattering on about wanting me to teach her how to make breakfast, so she could cook for Derrick.

At some point, Derrick had come downstairs. He strode over quickly, placing himself between Jessica and me.

Dark circles hung under his eyes, and his expression was dark. "Clarisse, just what are you trying to do to Jessie again?"