Show Me The Way, My Dear

2

"Happy 10th anniversary, my darling!"

I woke up from my dream with a sweet smell of perfume lingering in my nose.

The clock showed two o'clock, and the anniversary had long passed.

I didn't hesitate, and just said, "Dan, you have received the agreement, when are you going to handle the formalities?"

The hand that was reaching under the hem of my pajamas paused.

Soon he smiled again, "Joan, please! Yola didn't send the wrong package on purpose. Look, I brought the gift back to you personally."

He took out an exquisite gift box.

When I opened it, there was another pair of red high heels.

Dan said confidently, "It's my fault for not explaining it clearly. I will make up the gift to you in few days."

Yola was an intern at Johnson's company.

Her admiration for Dan was well known to everyone.

Dan did not avoid her admiration and transferred Yola to be his secretary.

He had been harassed by young girls before.

But he behaved himself under control at that time, and those girls had a sense of propriety, so naturally there was no further stories between them.

But Yola was different. She was able to prepare gifts for the elders and host family banquets for Dan. Even the anniversary gift for me had to be checked by her.

Dan took my silence as forgiveness and started to try to make conversation.

"Joan, don't go to my mother's 60th birthday party. You are too impulsive. I'm afraid it will turn out like last time."

I clutched the corner of the quilt, shaking with anger.

Last year, at my mother-in-law's birthday party, she humiliated me in front of everyone, saying that I had tarnished their family's reputation, and that the reason I couldn't get pregnant was because I had ruined my body due to promiscuity.

I couldn't help but make a few excuses, but my father-in-law got furious and kicked me out.

Dan didn't speak up for me.

I thought he had difficulties speaking out, but in the end he accused me of being impulsive.

I glanced at the ultrasound report on the bedside table, turning my back to him and saying, "I didn't have time to move out yesterday, and I thought you wouldn't come back. I'll leave at dawn, just in time to make room for Yola. She's young and healthy, so giving birth to many children in one pregnancy is not a dream."

"Joan, don't be so shameless! It's just a gift, does it really disturb you?"

I pointed at the lip marks on his collar and said, "I helped you out of kindness, why are you still angry?"

He slammed the door in anger and left, leaving with the words, "Joan, I have never owed you anything. It's just because you can't get pregnant!"

Every word seemed to suggest that I should face reality and admit my mistakes and apologize.

Ten years ago, he married me despite the opposition of his whole family.

Ten years later, his family became an excuse to reject me.

Unfortunately, this time, I wouldn't beg for peace humbly anymore.

A good beginning does not equal a good ending.

We met on a dark and secluded path.

"Your mother is worth 800 dollars, so 200 dollars is enough for you, my girl!"

I was harassed by a hooligan who spoke humiliating words to me and threw 200 dollars in my face.

When I was about to be dragged into the woods, Dan unexpectedly appeared and stood in front of me like a guardian angel.

"This is my girlfriend, get out of here!"

He shook his fist, shouting loudly.

He was so scared that his legs were shaking, but he still tried to act like a hero.

I shrank into his tall shadow, smiling shyly.