After the reunion, just as I was about to drive off, someone unexpectedly knocked on my window.
Nolan’s friend looked embarrassed, “Sis, could you drive Nolan home? He’s had a bit too much and insists only you can take him. He even chased Eloise away.”
I glanced at Nolan, standing arrogantly under the streetlight.
The conversation unexpectedly turned to family matters.
Amidst the flickering candlelight and the lively chatter, Nolan’s expression showed confusion for the first time.
After the gathering, just as I was about to leave, someone unexpectedly knocked on my car window.
Nolan’s brother looked uneasy: “Sister–in–law, could you take Brother Nolan home? He’s had a bit too much and insists only you can take him. Eloise was sent away by him.”
I looked past his brother to see Nolan standing under the streetlight, looking proud.
Bathed in the orange glow, he seemed softer, like a cat that appeared aloof but secretly sought affection.
I shook my head, “We’re divorced; it’s not on my way.”
His brother seemed ready to say more, but I rolled up the window without hesitation and drove off.
Through the rearview mirror, I saw disbelief on his brother’s face.
Everyone around Nolan knew how devoted I had been.
I was once a pampered little princess, yet I chose to cook for him. From not knowing how to make tomato noodles to eventually mastering a feast, I burned my hands countless times.
When Eloise went abroad and Nolan’s excessive drinking caused stomach issues, I flew out in minus 10–degree weather to bring him stomach medicine while he was on a business trip.
Despite knowing I was on my way, he fell asleep without leaving a spare key or turning off his phone’s silent mode. I waited downstairs for three hours in the freezing cold.
When Nolan finally opened the door and saw me shivering, he didn’t offer me a cup of hot water. He took the medicine without a glance and shut the door.
That day, I lost our child.
The Phoebe who once loved him deeply was gone.
She died amid his daily indifference and sarcasm.
The next morning, my parents called, waking me up.
They asked me to return to the house Nolan and I once shared to talk things over.
I had nothing left to discuss with Nolan, and I only agreed to go to make a final break in front of both our parents.
As soon as I entered, I felt an oppressive atmosphere.
Both sets of parents sat on the sofa. Nolan was smoking with his head down, and they all looked at me when they heard the door open.
I didn’t say a word.
Seeing that my request for a divorce wasn’t a joke, Nolan’s mom, surprisingly, didn’t start blaming me right away.
“Phoebe, you young people are too impulsive. How can you make such a decision like divorce without consulting your parents?”
I looked at Nolan’s mom’s accusing face and smiled.
“Auntie, you should be telling this to your son.”
“Why don’t you ask him how many times he’s brought up divorce after we got married? I’m just granting his wish.”
Nolan’s mom was taken aback, not used to my sharp tongue, and forced a smile, “You know, Nolan has always been childish. Can’t you just indulge him a bit more? Besides, it takes two to make things work…”
I interrupted her, “He’s almost thirty; he’s no child. Calling him immature would be more fitting.“”
“If it takes two, then let me slap you and see if it makes a sound.”
Since we’re divorced, I no longer have to bend over backwards to please his family. the
.
Since we re aivorcea, i no longer nave to bend over backwards to please nis family.
I stood in front of Nolan, who was silent, and pulled him over, “Tell your mom, when have I ever wronged you?”
“When your ex came back, and you put her on your crew to be with her every day, saying you didn’t care for a devoted housewife like me, telling me to divorce so you could be together–is that what you mean?”
“Or was it when I became a housewife, and you always had a hot meal no matter how late you came home, and I got up at midnight to make you hangover soup?”
“Wasn’t it your mom who said you were in poor health and asked me to stay home to take care of you?”
“In poor health, yet having a mistress outside, and never seeming tired.”
Nolan said nothing, but his mom couldn’t stand seeing her son wronged and was about to criticize me.
“Phoebe, you can’t just blame Nolan for everything. After all, you were married for so long without having a child, and Nolan was worried about our family’s lineage.”
“And when you lost the child, if you had been more careful, you wouldn’t have had a premarital pregnancy.”
These words made my parents‘ faces darken. My mom wanted to speak up for me, but I exploded first.
I raised my voice, almost shrill, “I wasn’t careful? Did I get pregnant all on my own? Could I force Nolan to sleep with me? How is premarital pregnancy entirely my fault?”
“Does Nolan really not know why we lost the child? Your mom mocks me while you sit there silently, not saying a word.”
“That winter, I waited outside for him for three hours. When he finally opened the door, he took the stomach medicine and sent me away. The child was lost to the cold. I didn’t tell the truth, saying it was my carelessness, to shield Nolan from blame.”
I hadn’t intended to cry, but tears streamed uncontrollably as I spoke.
By the end, I was nearly hysterical, “You tell me what it means that it takes two to make it work! Say it!”
My parents‘ eyes turned red, especially my mom, who pointed at Nolan tremblingly, “We’ve treated you like a son all these years, hoping you’d treat our daughter well.”
“Your mom didn’t give a bride price or hold a wedding, and we accepted that. Our concessions weren’t signs of weakness; we just hoped for sincerity in return. But what about you-”
Nolan trembled and said, “I’m sorry, Mom.”
My mom showed a disgusted expression, “Don’t call me Mom; you’re divorced now.“‘
“Mom, Dad, let’s go.”
“Nolan, I know you called us all together today. I don’t want to be harsh, but let’s part on good terms. That’s the last courtesy I’ll give you.”
Nolan finally dared to look me in the eye, but his gaze was full of guilt and shame.
“Phoebe, I really didn’t mean it. I just didn’t realize it before. Can you give me another chance?”
“Didn’t realize?” I smirked, “You knew exactly what you were doing; you just assumed I wouldn’t leave you.”
“You enjoyed my devotion while criticizing me. In the end, you loved yourself the most. Do you really think you deserve another chance, Nolan?”
Nolan’s pale lips trembled, but he couldn’t say a word.
As I turned to leave, he grabbed my arm, pleading, “There’s nothing between Eloise and me; I really only see her as a colleague.”
“Even now, what are you still lying about?”
“Since when do colleagues text 24/7 or share the same cup of milk tea? You’ve told the lie so often you believe it yourself.”
“What if I’m willing to change?”
