Chapter 9%
“No.” I said it firmly. And calmly.
As if it were something trivial and insignificant.
In that moment, his eyes turned red.
“Is there really no room for reconsideration? We’ve been together for thirteen years, we-“li
“No more!”
I cut him off before he could finish.
“Instead of dwelling on this, why don’t you think about adding a few more favorable clauses to the divorce agreement? I’ll look them over and, if I can, I try to accommodate you.“B
“I knew this day would come.”
Tears slid from the comers of his eyes.
He turned and went back into the house.}
I followed. He went to the safe, took out a notebook and handed it to mel
“You’ve always wanted to see my notes, haven’t you? Here–they’re yours now. I won’t be writing in them anymore.“}
My hand trembled as I took it
Nathaniel had never been a good student, never fond of books. But for some reason, he insisted on writing notes every single day.
Over the years, he’d filled dozens of notebooks &
There was nothing else in that safe, only his journals.
I had always been curious about what he wrote.
But Nathaniel had told me they were private. Off limits.
He once said, “If we ever break up, maybe then you’ll get to read them.”
Now, those words had come true.§
I held the notebook in silence for a long time, hesitating to open
- it.
Seeing my reluctance, he said softly, “Do you remember what I told you that time you were beaten up?“?
“Which time?
“Only cowards are afraid to face the truth.”
With that, he turned and left me alone with the notebook and his laptop.b
I took a deep breath
I knew he was provoking me–deliberately making me open it.
My whole life had been influenced by Nathaniel.l
Maybe it wasn’t me who made him who he is. Maybe it was he who made me who I am!
At that moment, I understood, he came first, I came later!!
Without him, there would be no me.
He was the one who shaped me.
I sat down on the couch and opened the laptop.8
August 17, sunny.
I saw her again. In the sunlight, she’s so cute. I love her.
But she’s too weak, always getting bullied. What should I do??
August 18, cloudy.
I think she got beaten up again. I heard she’s an orphan.8
That’s why the other kids look down on her.
I want to protect her, but how?8
August 29, sunny.
I’ve figured it out Til make everyone fear me. That way, I can protect her.
Would that be cool?
Would she notice me then??
Whatever. I’ve decided.
Wait for me, baby. You’re mine for life!!!
Reading those brief notes, I felt a familiar sting in my heart.
I used to think he had always been a scumbag.
But now I realized, thirteen years ago, he became one…. The heart I thought was calm began to ripple again.X
for me.N
10:34 AM
But now I realized, thirteen years ago, he became one… for me.N
The heart I thought was calm began to ripple again.
I flipped to another page.
September 2, rainy.
What should I do?!
She scored top marks and got into a top university.
But she’s an orphan–no money to support her studies.
‘m so worried about her.
f she can’t go to college, she’ll regret it forever, won’t she?
