The Other Side of Reality

I replied, "No, thanks. I already ate out."

"How is that possible? Aren't you usually the one who never wants to spend a dime?" Jessica asked.

Her words stung, precisely because they were once true. I'd been frugal to a fault, saving every penny from my part-time job just to spend it on her and buy her stuff.

Now that I was going to college, there was so much to spend on, and every penny also had to be carefully budgeted.

I looked up at her and said calmly, "I remember giving you the money a few days ago to buy wedding supplies. It looks like you didn't buy anything with it, so just return it to me."

Jessica froze for a second, then offered an awkward explanation. "That money… I used it to buy dress shoes for Marcus."

I couldn't help pursing my lips. Seriously? It was the same nonsense as always.

"If there's nothing else, I'm closing the door and going to bed," I said.

"I'll pay you back tomorrow," Jessica said, with a hint of annoyance in her voice. "We're married. Do you really have to make such a big deal about this?"

I couldn't help but sneer at her words.

"So, I'm not even allowed to fuss over the fact that my hard-earned savings are being spent on someone else?" I retorted.

Even though Jessica knew she was wrong, she still muttered stubbornly, "You're being unreasonable."

I didn't bother arguing with her anymore and slammed the door shut.

Over the next few days, I sold off some of my worthless personal items—the sentimental keepsakes from my past life. Looking back now, they were nothing but cheap junk. I bundled everything up and sold it to a scrap collector for a small amount of money.

As I continued packing that afternoon, Jessica stood in front of me, holding the money. She said stiffly, "Here's your money."

I took it and nodded. "Thanks."

She looked at me with a complicated expression before her eyes fell on my packed luggage.

"I've decided that Marcus will join me at the duty station in Lisbeth first. There's no need for you to pack."

I nodded and continued packing.

Jessica seemed unsettled by my attitude, clearly not used to me being so indifferent. "What's wrong with you lately? It's like you've become a different person."

I turned away impatiently as I didn't want to complicate matters.

She didn't love me, but if she noticed Marcus' name on the marriage papers, she might still push to redo it with me for his sake. But I wanted nothing more to do with this scumbag couple.

"It's nothing. I just want to pack my things," I said. "Once you're in Lisbeth, I'll move back to the countryside."

Jessica looked relieved and explained, "It's not that I don't want you to come with me, but Marcus has never been to Lisbeth and wants to visit. In a few months, I'll arrange for you to join me."

I nodded absentmindedly.

In my past lives, she never arranged for me to join her for eight long years. It wasn't until Marcus married a prestigious military family's daughter that Jessica, in crushed acceptance, brought me to Lisbeth.

My silence was clearly unnerving her. When we were alone, I'd normally chatter nonstop. But now, my reticence made her restless.

"Didn't you always want to take wedding photos? Let's go to the studio tomorrow."

No way was that happening. I planned to buy supplies for college tomorrow.

Just as I was about to fabricate an excuse, Marcus walked in. He draped his arm affectionately around Jessica's shoulders. "What's this about a studio? I want to take pictures, too."

She laughed and patted his head. "Sure. We can all go together tomorrow."

"You guys go ahead. I have something to do tomorrow," I said.

Jessica frowned. "What could possibly be more important than taking our wedding photos?"