01
Every time Elliot cheats on me, he gifts me a gold bracelet
In our three years of marriage. I’ve received thirty–three bracelets
To think about it, Elliot hasn’t gifted me any for half a year now
It’s not because of any newfound conscience or guilt.
Instead, it’s because Amelia from six months ago, has been playing his kept woman until now.
Today is our wedding anniversary.
Three hours ago, Elliot sent me a location
It was a hotel room.
The room was romantically decorated; on the large white bed, red roses were spread all over, conveying an air of sensual mystery,
I waited from dusk til dark, yet Elliot never turned up.
I sent him a message, and three minutes later, Elliot replied, “I am busy”
I knew exactly what he was “busy” with
He was busy pandering to Amelia
Just half an hour ago, I received a text from Eliot’s mistress.
was a room number, and a picture of Elliot loosely wrapped in a towel, his upper body still dripping wet.
Eve received similar text messages many times in the past half year,
And now, Eliot is here in the next room
I didn’t cause a scene by trying to catch Amelia
Nor did I confront Ellot as to why he stood me up
I checked out of the room, calmly returned home, and packed my things
Just as I finished packing, Eliot came back.
He was holding a large bouquet of red roses, circling my waist from behind with an affectionate look.
I’m about today, I got held i
dup at work and couldn’t make it there in time. Can make it up to you tomorrow?”
His distinctive scent enveloped me. Even though he just came from Amelia’s bed, there was no trace of another person’s smell on him.
He was always like this, meticulous and cautious, making every effort to hide his infidelity so that I would never find out
If Amalia hadn’t told me the truth, I’m afraid I would have been kept in the dark by him for the rest of my life.
Amela is the little mistress Elliot has been keeping for the past half year, as well as his assistant.
Those gold bracelets were also instructed by Elliot to be bought by her.
She knew each of Eliot’s inddelities clearly but only chose to expose him when it was her tum.
I stepped out of Elliot’s arms and stared steadily at him for a while.
The eyes that once held nothing but love now revealed a touch of quilt..
The bouquet of peculiarly healed roses seemed like a mockery of all our feelings throughout these years.
“No need,” I said, much calmer than I had imagined during this farewell
Elliot raised his eyebrows. Then, tonight?”
There was a touch of ambiguity in the surroundings. Ellot’s hand felt like a blazing fire, scorching my skin wherever it touched.
I gently pushed his hand away, just about to broach the topic of divorce.
However, Elliot’s phone inconveniently rang at that moment.
He glanced at the screen, his eyes holding a trace of guilt
1 need to take this call”
The figure on the balcony was towering. He had countless times reassured me
When everyone disapproved of our love, only he persistently held my hand, retolutely claiming that he couldn’t live without me, that nobody could split us
apart
To meet me. Elliot didn’t hesitate to disobey his parents and jumped from the second floor.
However, it was also he who, after taking the call, nervously told me, “Baby, a friend of mine is in trouble, I need to go see him. Don’t wait up for me tonight go to bed early”
Elliot was so flustered that he almost tripped over his own feet, and then left in a disgraceful manner through the door
I sat on the sofa for a long time, so long that my whole body was numb, and my heart grew colder and colder
I had planned to come clean with Eliot tonight
But by the looks of it, he probably won’t be back for several days.
That’s fine. I can use this time to move out, so I don’t have to worry about causing a scene
I moved out very quickly, and had Mr. Clifford draft a divorce agreement which I sent over to Elliot.
But after a week. Elliot hadn’t called me even once.
I wondered if the courier had misdelivered it and Eliot simply did not receive it.
I dialed a number, prepared to speak with him directly
Not long after, the call was answered, but it was Amelia’s voice that came from the other end.
“Ava, Elliot is in the shower, is there something you need? I can pass the message for you.”
‘Didn’t Elliot go to the office?”
Amelia chuckled, then hesitated before saying: “Mmm, I showed signs of a miscarriage a few days ago, so Ellot has been keeping me company, he hasn’t left my side.”
Miscamage?
Amelia is pregnant?
Is it Eliot’s child?
In my three years of marriage, my mother–in–law had directly and indirectly urged me to have a child.
But Ellot said he still wanted to live in a world of just two of us. We didn’t need to have a child so early, let everything go with the flow, he said.
But now, he has someone else’s child.
1ch all the blood in my body seem to solidify. My teeth began to tremble, making a brittle sound.
To my surprise, Amela exclaimed, “Ava, didn’t Elliot tell you? I thought he would deceive you with the excuse of business trips, just like before.”
In the past six months, Ellot had been frequently away on business trips, which turned out to be just a deception.
I closed my eyes and coldly said, “When he’s free, let him call me. Or you can tell him that it’s just a divorce, not a big deal.”
I hung up the phone impatiently and started pacing around the room.
I couldn’t calm myself, nor could I stay indifferent.
How could the one who once promised to only have each other do such a disgusting thing?
The name Elliot pressed on me like a boulder, leaving me breathless.
I need to do something to calm myself down.
I dig out an email from a few months ago. It was about a three–year term of teaching in the countryside.
When the principal approached me initially, I rejected it right away
After being married to Elliot for three years, I thought it was time to add a little one to the family
I had been consciously preparing for pregnancy.
But Eliot, being busy with work, kept postponing,
Now, I don’t need to prepare anything, I have plenty of time to work
When the principal heard that I had agreed to go, he was so excited and instantly rearranged my work.
The time is urgent, I need to set off tomorrow.
The place I’m going to reach at is rather remote. Going back and forth for a divorce seems a bit unwise.
So, I entrusted the divorce matter to Mr. Clifford. The next day, I packed my things and went to the train station
The train station was crowded with people, and there were long lines at the ticket inspection gates.
I followed the crowd.comparing the train numbers on the screen
Suddenly, Eliot called me
As soon as I picked up, his weary voice came through
Baby, where have you gone? Where are all your things?”
vay all the things I couldn’t take. The only thing I left untouched in the drawer was the thirty–three
In packing, I had cleared up all my belongings, throwing away gold bracelets
After spending a night, I was much calmer when facing Elliot
I calmly said, “Elliot I’ve already left. The divorce agreement has been sent to your company
to your int, I have entrusted him with full authority.”
if there’s any problem later on, you can ask Mr. Clifford about
The other end of the phone line fell silent for a moment, followed by a sound of rummaging nois
Elliot was caught off guard, “Honey, what do you mean? We are doing well, where are you going? And you mentioned divorce, I don’t understand?“”
I was stunned for a few seconds. It seems that Amela did not tell him about that phone call
Looking at the slowly shortening line, I patiently said, “Elliot, I already know about you and Amelia. And those thirty–three bracelets and the stories behind them, she told me everything.”
“You have lost your loyalty to me for a long time, Elliot. I’m tired. I want to break up with you.”
I heard the breathing on the other end of the phone line get a little heavier.
The sound of the train entering the station sounded in my ear
Ellot hastily asked, “Ava, where are you?”
The sound of drizzling rainfall came across, followed by a muffled sound of a door shutting
I knew that Elliot wanted to find me, but I no longer wanted to see him.
“Elliot, don’t look for me, I don’t want to see you.”
you feel guilty, then let’s get a divorce to save face for both of us.”
I hung up the phone, and swiped my ID to enter the station.
The platform was full of people, many of whom were couples traveling
The boy was carrying the luggage, discussing with the girl about what to eat and play when they reached their destination,
I couldn’t help but think back to the past
When Elliot and I were both students.
At that time, we had little pocket money, and it took us a long time to save up for a trip, but we looked forward to each joumey
Because that was our journey, just for the two of us
We could chat from the moment we got on the bus until the moment we got off, always thrilled and excited.
But this time, I’m traveling alone.
The phone keeps ringing incessantly, all the calls are from Elliot
“Ava, where are you? Let me explain”
1 was just lost in the moment, I was wrong, I’ll change, okay? Don’t go.”
“Baby, can I come to you and explain face–to–face? Will you give me a chance to explain?”
The facts are right here, making all explanations seem pale
I turned on the flight mode and closed my eyes, trying not to contemplate.
As the train started, a hoarse voice suddenly echoed over the speaker.
“Ava, this is Elliot, I know I messed up, but please give me a chance, can explain everything to you slowly?”
“Sweetheart, I beg you, please dont leave me.”
Elliot’s voice was choked with tears, linged with a hint of heavy breathing.
s and still find time to
Normally, the commute from my home to the train station lasts half an hour, but Eliot managed to get there in less than 20 minutes
broadcast a missing person announcement.
He’s always been resolute and swift and would stop at nothing to accomplish what he set out to do.
But this time, I’m afraid he’s bound to be disappointed.
As the tram began to slowly move. Elliot’s voice still echoed from the public address system.
Whispers Elled the carriage, all discussing this dramatic scene.
Finally, as the train gained speed, Elliot’s voice was no longer to be heard from the speakers.
I thought to myself, I might never see Eliot again.
The place I was teaching at is a small village in the North
cheating on me 33 times
The village was poorly developed, with no tall buildings, just brick houses
The entire school only had two classes, and the class that I was assigned to had only eight students
Their Inte faces were flushed red, casting shy glances at me when we first met.
Gently smiling, I said: “Hello students, I’m your new teacher. My name is Ava”
No one responded. After looking at me for a while, they started whispering to each other.
The class tutor, Oscar, awkwardly scratched his head and said, “Miss Ava, don’t mind it. They are just curious, there’s no malice meant.”
I shook my head with a smile, it wasn’t surprising that these sheltered children would be curious about a newcomer.
Oscar clapped his hands, and the classroom immediately quieted down
Standing on the podium, he declared loudly. “Students, this is our new teacher, Miss. Ava. From now on, she’ll teach us knowledge, and tell us about the world outside, let’s welcome her with applause.”
Upon his words, thunderous applause erupted in the classroom
The faces of the children lit up with innocent and enthusiastic smiles.
After school in the afternoon, I returned to the dormitory to tidy up a bit, ordered some express deliveries online, and finally laid down on the bed to rest
In my semi–conscious state, I was woken up by a brash ring from my phone.
Without looking. I picked it up
There was no sound from the other end of the line.
Just as I thought it was a scam call an
and was about to hang up, a hoarse voice came through
“You went to teach in the North.”
It wasn’t a question.
I was suddenly jolted awake and sat up abruptly on the bed.
Elliot gritted his teeth and asked, “Ava, answer me, have you gone to feach in the North?”
I was stunned.
Elliot smiled, a melancholy smile.
“How many years will you be gone?”
“Three years.”
I answered truthfully, There was no point in hiding. Regardless, I’m already at the school, the matter is settled, and no one can change that.
Eliot muttered. “Three years.”
“You’re going to leave me for three years.”
“Not only for three years.“I looked at the dark sky outside, and calmly said. Tr’s for a lifetime.”
There was silence, then
Elliot spoke in a low, incredulous voice. ‘Do you know what you’re saying? A lifetime, do you know how long that is?”
“Ava, have you forgotten how much we went through to get together? How can you give up so easily?”
Of course, I hadn’t forgotten our past
But also clearly remember Elliot’s actions after our marriage
Dry–mouthed, I fetched a glass of water and moistened my throat before saying quietly, “Elliot, how would you account for your infidelity? The thirty–three bracelets in the drawer, like thirty–three slaps to the face. When you gave them to me, did you ever feel any regret?”
Ellot was silent for a while before he replied in a low, helpless voice.
Tve had regrets, I’ve tried to escape, but Ava, no one in the business world can keep their hands clean.”
“You refuse one, then the next, and the one after that. Eventually, there will be one you can’t refuse.”
“Once this kind of thing happens for the first time, there will be a second. It’s like an addiction, once you’re hooked, you can’t out.”
“But I’ve never taken this seriously, Ava, I’ve never forgotten. The one I love is you.”
“What about Amelia?” I suddenly found it hard to breathe, pushed open the window, and let the cold wind blow
Elliot fell silent for a moment
