Where the Years of Marriage Crumbled to Nothing

Wendy couldn’t help but clasp her trembling hands tightly in the ward.At first,she refused to believe it.But she still made prayers.

The doctor said Annie had suffered severe mental trauma.Combined with the heavy sedatives,she would likely have lasting damage.Wendy only prayed that her sister would not suffer anymore,that she could live the rest of her life in peace.

The ward door opened.Michael entered,holding the medical report,wanting to speak but hesitating.

“Wendy,I’m sorry.I didn’t think a little sedative would cause such a big accident and almost kill Annie.”

“I swear,I’ll try to fix it up for you.Just ignore Sandra,alright?”

“Wendy,don’t get mad at me.”

He pressed his head against her neck with his soft hair brushing her skin.

In the past,Wendy would have forgiven him.

But not this time.

“Do you still remember the promise you made to me?”she asked softly.

Michael froze,then fell into silence.

When he first chased Weny,he learned she had only Annie to rely on.He bought her double gifts,cheered her up when she was sad and showed thoughtfulness in every detail.

On their wedding day,Michael promised in front of everyone that he would take care of her and Annie,that no one would ever hurt them.

“Wendy,I’m not only your husband.I’ll be your anchor,protecting you from storms and supporting your family.”

But when the tide fell,he himself became the storm.

“I’ll find treatment for Annie,”Michael said at last.

He pulled out a paper and signed his name neatly.

“Whatever you ask,I’ll give you.”

“Money,power,career…Wendy,this is how I apologize to you.”

She curled her lips into a cold smile but said nothing.

Instead,she wrote one word,‘Divorce’.And then slipped it into her briefcase.

“There’s also a surprise that I prepared.It’ll be mailed to your office in six weeks.Remember to open it.”

Michael let out a quiet sigh of relief.

In the days after,he came to the ward every day,bringing boxes of supplements.Then,Michael claimed he was busy with work and left in a hurry.Once he was gone,Wendy calmly handed the gifts to the nurses’station.

Wendy didn’t want even a cent of his things.

When she walked down the corridor,Wendy glanced into the ward beside hers.She then stopped with her blood rushing to her head.

Sandra was seen untying Michael’s tie with her finger and pulling him down.His loose suit hid their movements,but he sat without hesitation.The ring on his finger slipped off,rolled across the carpet and left a mark.

Even if it turned to ash,Wendy would still recognize it.

It was their wedding ring.The one Michael had personally chosen.Three hundred craftsmen had worked for six months to create it.

Her hands shook as she dialed his number.

“Wendy…I’m with a client.I’ll call you back later.”

Before Wendy could respond,she heard noises over the line.It was the sound of struggle,Sandra’s moans leaking into her ear.

“Michael…you come to see me every day.Aren’t you afraid that Wendy will find out and get angry?”

The taste of blood rose in Wendy’s throat,but she forced it down.

She then pressed the record button.

Michael’s voice came low,mocking.

“You wanted it.You even asked me to drug her and do it in front of her.Now you’re embarrassed?Hmm?”

“I’ve been pretending for two whole years to get back at her.You’d better make it worth it.”

The sounds continued.Wendy then returned to her ward,while her hands were shaking uncontrollably.

Two years of love and trust now seemed like nothing but a cruel joke.Without delay,Wendy finished Annie’s discharge procedures and took her back to the estate.She changed the locks and stayed close by her side.

But soon Michael knocked again,carrying milk.

Wendy’s heart sank.

“You’ve worked hard.I brought this milk from New Zealand just for you.Be good,drink it.”

Michael’s eyes darkened slightly.His smiling lips made Wendy shiver.Then,she turned to look at Annie.

Suddenly,Wendy remembered.After Annie had once eaten a milk pudding,she had slept far too long.Her expression changed sharply.

“Did you give it to her,too?”

Michael hadn’t even spared her sister.Wendy stared at him for a long moment.Then,all at once,she laughed.She laughed at herself for believing him.

She laughed at the choices she never truly had.

“I’ll do as you wish.”