05
After the divorce, my life finally roturned to normal.
Thanks to the success of my overseas project, my boss promoted me to general manager
with double the salary.
Hearing that Elena was still single, I began pursuing her with fervor, and we soon became a couplo.
I thought the past was behind me, but reality proved me naïve.
One evening, after a long day at work, I came home to find Maria curled up by my doorstep. She looked up at me with startled eyes as I approached.
“What are you doing here?” I asked impatiently..
She grabbed the hem of my pants, tears streaming down her face. “Ryan, I’ve made a mistake! Please, let’s get back together.
It was my fault. I swear, from now on, I’ll only treat you right!”
I turned away coldly. “You’re saying this now? What about Hector? Isn’t he the one you swore to stand by, to help him through his last days?”
Her head shook violently.
“No! Hector is a liar! He was never terminally ill!”
She pushed up her sleeves, revealing red welts across her arms.
“He’s a monster! These days, I’ve been nothing but his servant. When he gets drunk, he grabs my hair and beats me!”
She sobbed uncontrollably, her breath hitching. “Ryan, please save me! He sold all the luxury. gifts you gave me to pay off his debts. I have nothing left!”
I glanced at her bruised arms, my heart wavering for a moment.
But then I reminded myself that this was the bed she had made for herself. Why should I bear
I
the cost of her poor choices?
I yanked my leg free of her grasp, my tone cold and resolute. “You brought this on yourself. You chose Hector, and now you have to live with that decision. Don’t expect me to clean up your
mess.
The marriage is over, and so are any feelings I had for you. You’re on your own now.”
I turned to unlock the door, but Maria threw herself to the ground, wailing at the top of her lungs.
Her shrill cries roused the neighbors, and soon a small crowd gathered outside my gate.
“Please, I know I was wrong! Even if you won’t help me, at least think of the children!” she
shrieked.
The crowd began murmuring among themselves, their judgment palpable.
“Poor girl. Married to such a heartless man.”
“I heard he was overseas for five years, probably shacking up with someone else the whole
time.”
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11:59 Tue, 1/ Dec
Theard he was overseas for five years, probably shacking up with someone else the whole
time.”
“Won’t even care for the kids? What a sc*mbag!”
The accusations piled up, and Maria ramped up her theatrics, clearly hoping to force me into submission.
her.
But those days were long gone. I wouldn’t let her manipulate me again.
Without hesitation, I grabbed a broom leaning against the doorframe and advanced toward
“You want to act shameless? Fine. But I won’t give you the satisfaction!” I shouted.
“Cheating during our marriage, having kids with another man, and now you expect me to take you back? Do I look like a fool to you?”
My words sliced through the air, silencing the onlookers. One by one, they stepped aside, clearing a path.
Maria froze. Before I could even swing the broom, she scrambled to her feet and ran off, disappearing into the night.
