- 8.
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With Harrison’s protection, the Holdens,
though unhappy, dared not show it.
Holden was downcast for a while.
Then he came to me.
“Nancy, don’t be angry, I broke up with
Susan.”
“Let’s start over, I promise, I’ll be good to you
this time!”
Holden gave me an abortion report.
“I made Susan have an abortion, she won’t
affect us anymore, don’t be mad at me, let’s
get back together.”
An unborn child, reduced to a piece of paper.
A tool for reconciliation.
I didn’t take it, didn’t speak.
I remembered the past.
Holden apologized before.
When he went too far or affected business,
Grandpa Holden forced him to apologize.
He always promised to change.
<
But soon, I’d face his cruelty.
Our love was gone.
Our trust shattered.
I wouldn’t believe Holden.
Or forgive him.
“Stop deceiving yourself, Holden, you know
we’re over. I married your brother, call me
sister–in–law.”
Holden looked at me.
Tears rolled down his cheeks.
“How could you do this to me…nine years,
you married someone else, how do you think I
feel?”
I knew.
For nine years, I endured it.
Watching Holden and Susan publicly flaunt
their affair.
My husband, showering another woman with
love.
I was hurt, in pain, self–doubting.
<
To please Holden, I did the housework,
cooked.
Cleaning every spill.
Varying the meals daily.
To please Holden.
To win him back,
I imitated Susan’s style, her mannerisms.
All I got was his ridicule.
He shredded my clothes, dumped my food in
the dog bowl.
Smiling cruelly.
“Nancy, do you know what a copycat is? Look
at your old face, how dare you compare
yourself to Susan?”
“You’re only good for chores, if you can’t
even cook, I’d rather have a dog.”
Holden’s coldness made me realize.
Effort was futile when someone didn’t love
you.
I decided to withdraw my love.
く
Entrusting my life to someone worthy.
After hearing me, Holden was stunned.
“I was just joking…I didn’t know it would hurt
you so much.”
“I didn’t hate you, I just teased you.‘
Holden felt guilty.
He thought for a moment.
Then he left, crying.
But Holden didn’t give up.
He showered me with gifts.
Homemade meals.
Designer bags.
I discarded each one.
Still, his enthusiasm was relentless.
Harrison finally sent Holden abroad.
A threat, a warning.
“I dealt with your friends and everyone who
bullied Nancy.”
“Since you’re my brother, I’m letting you off. If
you appear before her again, I’ll send you to a
く
remote island for the rest of your life.”
My coldness and Harrison’s pressure made
Holden give in.
He made one last request.
To attend my wedding, to see me in a
wedding dress.
We didn’t agree.
Sending Holden to the airport, he cried like a
child.
“Nancy, I’m truly sorry. I bullied you because I liked you, if I had another chance, I wouldn’t
do it.”
I said calmly, “I’ve given you too many
chances.”
Nine years, ten divorce papers.
All chances I gave him.
After sending Holden away, Harrison and I
had our wedding.
Harrison smiled at me under the spotlight.
Wearing my beautiful wedding dress, I walked
toward my happiness.
