One Percent Too Late

After two days in the hospital, Simon went home.

But as soon as he walked in, he found Adrian there too.

In just two days, it was as if this home had been taken over by them.

The living room was full of children's toys.

Adrian was holding the child while watching TV. Vivian was cooking in the kitchen.

In the decade since Simon and Vivian had been married, she had never once cooked.

She relied on Simon because Simon always took care of everything for her.

But now, she was able to go into the kitchen for someone else.

My gaze fell on Simon.

He showed no emotion, as if he had already expected this.

He simply looked at everything in front of him calmly.

"Simon? Long time no see. Sorry for making such a mess of your place."

Adrian smiled as he apologized, but I did not sense any real guilt.

Simon did not respond.

When Vivian came out of the kitchen and saw Simon, she froze for a moment.

"Why did you come back without telling me?"

"I did not cook for you.

"You guys eat."

Simon said that quietly, then walked toward the bathroom.

The door was half-closed, and the noise outside continued.

Simon looked into the mirror. Blood began dripping uncontrollably from his nose.

He covered his nose, but no matter what he did, he could not stop it.

My heart ached.

This backlash pain was something Simon had already endured countless times.

"Host, do you want to take painkillers?"

Painkillers could not help much, but at least they could ease a little of the suffering.

Simon shook his head. He did not have the strength to speak.

The door suddenly opened.

Vivian's face went pale. In a panic, she grabbed a towel and pressed it to Simon's face.

"What is wrong with you? Why are you bleeding so much?"

Simon pushed her away and shook his head.

"It's just a nosebleed. It will stop on its own."

But the blood had already soaked half the towel.

Vivian seemed about to say something else when the child's crying outside instantly took all of her attention.

The sound of glass shattering rang out.

Vivian hurried out.

After Simon stopped the bleeding and left the bathroom, his eyes fell on the thing that had shattered.

I followed his gaze.

My heart sank.

It was the only photo of him and Vivian.

Vivian was crouched down, comforting the child and worrying over the cut on his hand from the glass.

Simon also bent down and picked up the photo.

I remembered when that photo had been taken.

Right after he and Vivian got married, Vivian said she wanted to see the ocean.

Simon drove her to watch the sunrise over the sea.

That was also the day Vivian's affection for Simon reached ninety-nine.

Back then, I had truly believed Simon's suffering had not been in vain.

But I never imagined that the distance from ninety-nine to one hundred would cost him another ten years.

The photo could no longer be used. A shard of glass had scratched across the face.

Simon looked at it quietly for a long time before finally throwing it into the trash.

Vivian noticed.

After comforting the child, she said to Simon,

"If it is gone, it is gone. We can take another one next time."

Simon's lips moved. Then he went to the bedroom drawer and took out a yellowing divorce agreement.

He had prepared that agreement a long time ago.

So long ago that even I had forgotten about it.

"Let's get divorced."

Simon's voice was very soft.

Vivian's expression froze for a second. Her gaze landed on the agreement.

The room fell quiet, with only time moving through the silence.

Clearly, she did not take it seriously. She took the agreement, glanced at none of it, and threw it straight into the trash.

Her tone turned cold.

"It was just a broken picture frame. Do not throw a tantrum over something so small.

"I know you do not like seeing Adrian and my son here. I have no feelings for Adrian.

"He and I only have a child left between us. What are you still worried about?"

Everything she said was a lie.

"After we have a child of our own, you will understand me.

"If you cannot stand seeing them, I will take them and leave."

Vivian left with Adrian and his son.

I opened my mouth, wanting to comfort Simon, but I did not know what to say.