The paternity test was like a nuclear bomb.
Jessica’s parents didn’t even dare to look at
- it.
“So, I think there’s nothing left to discuss.
Five years, I think I’ve done my part,”
I said softly. Then I looked at Jessica, who
was pale and unsteady on her feet:
“Sign the divorce agreement. If you truly care
about Lily, you should take her back to her
real father.”
Jessica was speechless. Mr. Wilson, his face
ashen, slapped her hard. Tears welled up in
her eyes.
Mrs. Wilson, heartbroken, pulled on her
husband:
“Can’t you talk things over? Why hit her?”
Mr. Wilson flung her away. “It’s your fault for
spoiling her. She’s done something so
<
shameful, and you still protect her? Do you
have any respect for us?”
My mother was about to speak but was
silenced by Mr. Wilson.
I stood up:
“The facts are clear. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson,
take her and Lily home. Talk amongst
yourselves. I need to explain things to my
parents.”
“Henry-”
Mr. Wilson’s face was red with
embarrassment.
But I was firm. They could scold their
daughter at home; there was no need for this
charade. Jessica seemed shocked, unaware
of how things escalated.
Mr. Wilson grabbed her:
“Let’s go! What are you still doing here, you
shameful thing!”
Mrs. Wilson unable to stop her furious
Mrs. Wilson, unable to stop her furious
husband, followed with Lily, her eyes red.
Dinner was never served.
After comforting my parents, I returned to my
apartment. I saw Jessica, her hair disheveled,
crouching at my door.
The moment I decided on divorce, I changed
the locks.
She couldn’t get in, so she waited for me.
Hearing my footsteps, she looked up.
“…Henry, are you happy now? My father never
hit me before; he hit me for the first time
because of you.”
Jessica slowly stood up; the mustard yellow dress made her pale face stand out. Under the hallway lights, I could clearly see the slap marks on her face. They looked brutal.
So what if she showed me the marks?
Was she trying to make me feel sorry for her?
I only found it ironic. “I don’t understand why
I only found it ironic. “I don’t understand why
you even have the nerve to come find me.”
It was the first time I said such harsh words
to her after five years of marriage. Jessica
couldn’t take it; her eyes reddened.
I opened the door and went inside. Jessica
tried to follow, but I blocked her.
“I’ve already mentioned divorce. You shouldn’t
be here.”
She bit her lip:
“Do you have to be so cruel?”
I looked at her seriously:
“You had another man’s child, told her she
had another father, you and Lily kept it from
me, treating me like a fool… who’s being
cruel?”
Jessica was speechless.
“I know you didn’t marry me for love, but why
couldn’t you even maintain basic loyalty?”
“I don’t understand why you’re here. Greg is
L
back, Lily knows he’s her father; I’m divorcing
you to make way for Greg, to let you three
reunite, isn’t it a win–win?”
“No, it’s not like that, Henry, let me explain-
“There’s nothing to explain. I’ll ask you one
question, is Lily Greg’s child?”
She was embarrassed but nodded slightly.
“So, sign the divorce agreement, or I’ll sue,
don’t blame me for not giving the Wilson
family face.”
I said coldly and shut the door on Jessica. [“I’m not leaving unless you listen to my explanation.“] Jessica texted me and sat in
front of my door again.
I was annoyed.
What was she doing, trying to win me back?
How ridiculous!
They say belated affection is worthless. Why
didn’t she do this earlier?
I ignored her and went to my study. Late at
night, the doorbell rang.
Jessica was pleading outside:
“Henry, I’m sorry, open the door, please, I’ll
explain!”
I pretended not to hear.
“Henry, can you just let go of years of
feelings? I don’t believe it! Can’t you give me
another chance?!”
I never thought Jessica, who was always cold
and composed in front of me, would cry and
break down at my door. A neighbor
complained in the building chat group.
! thought for a moment and called Greg:
“Take Jessica away.”
Greg arrived quickly and coaxed the sobbing
Jessica away.
The next day, Greg asked to meet.
He was there to plead for Jessica. Sitting in a
cafe, I stirred my coffee with a spoon, and
scoffed:
<
“I thought after I left, you two would reunite.”
Greg gave a wry smile.
“At least, at the hospital, before you arrived, I
thought so too.”
He started talking about his past with
Jessica. He was a small–town boy who
worked hard to study abroad. She was a
wealthy girl who got everything she wanted.
She didn’t understand his anxieties, but she
didn’t want to hinder his pursuit of a better
future, so they agreed on five years. He’d
return after five years.
