Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Upon hearing this, a wave of disgust washed over me.
I recalled one particular day when Steven mentioned he wanted barbecue ribs. Braving the scorching sun, I had bought fresh ribs and prepared a beautiful plate of sticky, savory goodness, delivering it to his office.
I had been overjoyed, hoping he’d savor my cooking. Instead, Melanie had sent me a photo of her “puppy” eating
the ribs.
Melanie: [Anya, Steve doesn’t like salty food. Go lighter on the salt next time, okay?]
The memory stung, but as I looked at the disheveled man before me, all I felt was contempt.
Steven had relished the thrill of chasing Melanie, basking in her playful charm and the emotional validation she offered. Now, he wanted the comfort and reliability I once provided.
He wanted it both ways.
Unfortunately, the world didn’t work like that.
I laughed coldly, raising my voice. “Steven, you’re shameless. When you kissed Melanie at the wedding, did you think about my feelings? When you took her on the Ferris wheel, why didn’t you call her childish then?”
I challenged, “Let me guess–when you’re having fun, nothing else matters. But when the fun’s over, you come crawling back? Well, as long as you sign the divorce papers. I don’t care how many women you want to give a ‘ home‘ to.”
My words struck him like a slap. He looked ashamed, his head hanging low.
By now, people around us had begun to stop and stare.
Steven felt humiliated. His expression darkened, and his tone grew harsh. “Anya, stop pretending. I know your games. You’re just playing hard to get. Don’t push me!”
He taunted, “And if you’ve truly let me go, why are you still wearing our wedding ring?”
I glanced at the ring on my finger. I had worn it for five years, but it was time to let it go.
“Whoops, forgot to take it off,” I said as I slid the ring off my finger and tossed it into a nearby trash can.
“Useless things belong in the trash. That goes for people, too,” I added.
Steven’s face turned red with fury, his jaw clenching tightly.
“Anya, you’re crossing the line. I don’t believe you’ve moved on. Seven years of love doesn’t just disappear,” he said. “Do you remember chasing after me back then? You told everyone marrying me was the best decision of your life. That we’d never part. Did you forget?”
He pressed, “Oh, and let’s not kid ourselves. Every rich man has mistresses. It’s normal.”
I looked at him coldly, the love in my eyes gone.
“People change, Steven. Didn’t you also go from a man to a scum? And don’t think I didn’t hear what you said at your bachelor party before our wedding,” I spat.
Steven had held a bachelor party before we got married. When I’d gone to serve them some fruit, I had overheard him drunkenly boasting to his friends, “Anya’s nothing more than a lapdog. I don’t love her. Marrying her is just a way to get her family’s money.”
1/2
+25 BONUS
Chapter 6
At the time, I had dismissed it as drunken nonsense.
Now I knew better.
Steven’s face turned pale. “You knew…”
I nodded, unwilling to waste another word on him.
“So, do you really think there’s anything left between us? Oh, and don’t forget to sign those divorce papers,” I reminded.
With that, I turned and walked away without looking back.
In my rearview mirror, I saw Steven punching a wall repeatedly, his knuckles bleeding.
What was the point? Late remorse was worthless.
The flowery promises men made were unpredictable variables. I had learned to take control of my own destiny.
