Ashes Between Us

“Karimba, what is this... what is this about??”

With a trembling hand, Alley Houston holds a piece of paper. Her eyes are red, filled with tears, as she looks at Karimba Cellon with a mixture of shock and sorrow.

Alley was a gentle young woman with a strong inner resolve. She cherished life and always gave her best in everything she did. Alley was forgiving and compassionate, embracing whatever came her way with a readiness to face it. She maintained an optimistic and positive outlook. Despite her cheerful demeanor, Alley had a troubled past. Harsh family circumstances had forced her into a marriage with Karimba Cellon as an escape. But now he wanted to abandon her. She was bewildered, as she didn't know what she had done wrong over the past three years.

Karimba Cellon sighs helplessly, glancing at the paper in Alley Houston's hand but avoiding looking at her tear-stained face. She had been by his side for the past three years, a constant presence.

"I've already signed it," Karimba replies, his gaze fixed on the divorce papers. "It's time for us to move on." He averts his eyes from her.

In truth, Karimba Cellon is exhausted as well. Everyone has their limits when it comes to endurance. Moreover, his marriage to Alley Houston was never based on love. He is tired, so tired.

"But why? Please, tell me why! What have I done?" Alley Houston cannot accept being abandoned in this moment. She cries out, tears streaming down her face.

"Alley, stop! This is where we should end. Don't you see that nothing you do is right?" Karimba Cellon growls, struggling to control his anger, at least not physically harming his wife.

"What have I done? I did nothing wrong. Over the past three years, I have taken care of everything in this household, I have cared for you, and I have loved you with all my heart, even though I knew you would never love me. And now, you want to leave?" Alley Houston clings to Karimba Cellon's arm, her gaze fixed on him, her voice trembling with a pleading tone.

Karimba Cellon can barely contain himself. He stands tall, looking at his petite, beautiful, and pitiful wife, and he utters words that pierce Alley Houston's heart:

"Because you're insane! Because there's something wrong with you, don't you understand? You're crazy, uncontrollable, and you do things that no one can accept!"

Alley Houston stands frozen, gradually letting go of her grip, her gaze locked on Karimba Cellon for a long moment. The space between them becomes ominously silent. Suddenly, a glint of hatred and madness fills Alley Houston's eyes. She laughs bitterly, a laughter mixed with pain and resentment. Her smile distorts the pain and resentment in her eyes.

Here we go again! Karimba Cellon sighs, feeling an intense hatred towards the woman standing before him. He doesn't love her, and he has endured enough over the past three years. Now, all he wants is to be free from this situation.

"You're starting again, for heaven's sake! Alley Houston, hear my plea: leave this place. I can't bear to live with you anymore. Over the past three years, I have fulfilled all my obligations towards your family, both in duty and financial support. It's all drained now, don't you understand?"

Karimba Cellon pleads, but each word and sentence carries an underlying anger that is hard to suppress. Alley Houston remains unchanged, staring at him intently, defiance in her red eyes, her smile still tinged with sadness and mockery.

"Do you want to abandon me? Don't my parents mean anything to your family? Have you forgotten?" Alley Houston screams, as if exerting all her strength to hold onto the man before her. She loves him so deeply, never having done anything to harm him in the past three years, let alone strain their families' relationship or bring shame. So why is he determined to abandon her in the end?

"Because I don't love you. I hate you, and I can't bury myself with you for the rest of my life!" Karimba Cellon glares at Alley Houston, exhaling a heavy sigh before continuing, "Let's not say anymore, sign the papers and set each other free!"

Tears well up in Alley Houston's eyes, her smile still carrying a touch of bitterness and madness. She steps closer to Karimba Cellon, gritting her teeth as she speaks, "I won't agree! I will do everything in my power to hold onto this marriage!"

Without waiting for Karimba Cellon's response, she coldly tears the pre-signed divorce papers in one corner and walks away. Karimba Cellon sighs deeply, feeling a sudden coldness and desolation in his back as he watches Alley Houston's retreating figure.

Reng!

The phone vibrates, interrupting Karimba Cellon's thoughts. He glances at the screen and recognizes the familiar number. Karimba Cellon takes a deep breath and answers the call.

"Hey, Karimba, why did you take so long to pick up?" A sweet voice comes from the other end, slightly sulking, mixed with a hint of annoyance.

The voice tickles Karimba Cellon's ears, soothing him slightly. He exhales and responds politely, "I had some matters to attend to. You're still awake? It's late!"

Karimba Cellon's voice carries tenderness and gentleness, causing the girl on the other end of the line to blush and feel a mix of shyness and delight.

"Oh, you never understand! I miss you so much that I can't sleep, big brother!" she playfully complains.

Karimba Cellon chuckles. This girl is always so adorable, a complete contrast to his wife, who is unstable and unpredictable. He replies softly, "Yes, I miss you a lot too. I hope you come back soon."

Hearing Karimba Cellon's warm tone, Brenda Mclean, the girl on the other end of the line, becomes even more delighted. A fleeting smile on her lips transforms into a strangely sinister expression. Without much time to contemplate, she lowers her voice, sounding both coquettish and pitiful.

"I can come back, but... lately, Alley doesn't seem to like me. It makes things difficult for you when we see each other."

Brenda's words cause Karimba Cellon to feel a twinge of regret and unease. Initially, Brenda Mclean and Alley Houston had a good relationship, but over time, Alley Houston became increasingly inscrutable and exhibited peculiar behavior, leaving Brenda Mclean fearful. She had approached Karimba Cellon on multiple occasions, recounting her troubles and shedding tears, making it challenging for Karimba Cellon to defend his wife.