To help him, I worked like crazy for days,
calling in every favor, drinking God–knows-
what, just to give him a surprise on his
birthday.
Rainey saw I was late, and snorted.
“She can’t even be on time for your birthday?
That’s so disrespectful.”
Mark waved her off.
“She’s always dragging her feet. No sense of
time, it’s so annoying.”
Rainey sipped her tea, then laughed.
“How can you say that about your wife? She’s
a big–shot executive, she manages a bunch
of people! She’d be furious if she knew.”
Mark was dismissive.
“It’s true, though. If she didn’t have her
parents backing her up, she’d never have
gotten that far.”
Seven PM, I finally landed the client, signed
く
the deal.
I ran to the party, so excited to tell him.
Everyone was impressed, praising my skills.
But Mark just threw a bucket of cold water on
- me.
“So what? It’s just a little client. Nothing to
get so excited about.”
“The way you’re acting, you’d think you
landed a billion–dollar deal.”
Everyone looked uncomfortable. Old Bai tried
to change the subject.
I sat down, embarrassed. Mark was still
glowering, so I tried to get him to lighten up.
I brought up my plans to buy some new
clothes:
“Which of these dresses do you think looks
good on me?”
Rainey came over, holding her wine, then
looked at my phone screen and gasped.
“Ugh, those are so frumpy. You wear those
drab skirts to work?”
She covered her mouth and giggled.
“No wonder Mark says he’s not interested.
It’s… kind of a turn–off.”
Rainey giggled, then put her hand on Mark’s
shoulder.
<
She snuggled up close, her eyes so innocent.
Mark didn’t pull her hand away. He just
looked at me, his face disgusted.
“No taste at all. Totally drab.”
I didn’t get it. What was so wrong with normal
professional clothes?
Later, I found out that when everyone was
praising me, Rainey pulled Mark aside.
“Mark, you married her because she’s
capable, right? Oh, so long… I am still
nothing.”
“If I could be a boss like that, it would be so
good.”
く
Mark felt bad for her.
“Don’t say that. Even if you can’t do anything,
you’re beautiful, and you’re a million times
better than her in my eyes.”
Rainey choked up.
“Waaah, I’ll dress up more, then, and make.
you happy.”
I only found out about that conversation
because one of Mark’s friends couldn’t stand
what was going on.
He pulled me aside to warn me about Rainey.
That night, I confronted Mark. Was he
planning to get back together with Rainey?
Mark didn’t look guilty at all. He just
shrugged.
“Did you even think before asking that? If I
said yes, would you divorce me?”
“Let’s be real. I married you because you
loved me so much. You were my back–up
plan, but you were the back–up plan who
worshiped me the most.
You’re like a puppy, always there when I call.
Marrying a woman like you is good for my
career.”
I was stunned.
“Mark, all these years, have you never loved
me?”
く
He looked me up and down.
“Look at you. You don’t even dress up for
work. Which man doesn’t want to look at
beauty? You think I love you now?”
“If I walked down the street with you and
Rainey, who do you think looks more like my
wife?”
He was right.
I hadn’t bothered dressing up for years.
But did he ever ask himself who was helping
him with paperwork at night while, holding
down a full–time job?
Did he forget who was calling in favors to
land the big clients he couldn’t get?
I put my years of youth and energy into
building his company, and now he was.
complaining that I didn’t dress up.
I always thought people had hearts. I thought if you put in enough effort, they’d notice.
But I forgot to look at his nature. If he was
heartless, nothing I did would matter.
He only loved himself.
For two days, Mark visited me at the hospital.
I gave him the cold shoulder, so he sat there
like a lost puppy.
Finally, my best friend, Liz, kicked him out.
“Seriously going overseas? Not coming back
<
for three years?” Liz said, sighing.
I nodded, showing her my new assignment.
“Three years to grind overseas. When I get
back, I’ll see what I can do.”
I’d made my decision.
Without love, I could focus on my career.
“I told you to dump him a long time ago. Glad
you finally came to your senses,” Liz said,
clearly hating Mark.
Mark’s family was well–off in town.
But my family was richer and more influential.
In Liz’s words, I was marrying down.
<
When we were planning the wedding, Mark’s
parents were happy.
They wanted to give me three million in cash,
plus a big apartment.
But Mark said that would spoil me.
He secretly told his parents to cut back.
“Just give her a million. Her family’s so rich,
they won’t even notice the difference.”
“If we give her more, she’ll just brag about it
and make me look bad. If I weren’t worried
about hurting her feelings, I wouldn’t give her
a cent.”
His parents did what he said.
He admitted this while drunk.
He came in with his assistant, pointed at me,
and slurred.
“Won’t ask for anything. You just love me so
much.”
“One million, and her family gave back a
mansion. I can brag about that for the rest of
my life. Marrying a woman and making
money? I’m the best.”
Now that I didn’t love him, all his behavior
seemed awful.
“When are you going?” Liz asked.
I was a little out of it.
