Chapter 4

I was surprised for a moment. Then, I let out a laugh.

I looked at him and said, “You’re the one who seems to have found someone else. Am I correct, Jackson?”

Jackson’s face darkened. “What nonsense are you spouting?”

“I’m not spouting nonsense. Since we’re both here, let’s go to City Hall and get divorced.”

Jackson’s face only got darker. “Are you nuts, Cerise? Are you really going to do all this because of such a small thing that happened that day?”

“‘A small thing’?” I said.

“I’ve been delivering lunch to you for ten years, Jackson, but you said I was your cousin. Do you know what I was thinking in the rain on the way home? I was wondering what the past ten years were for.”

“It was something I said in the moment.”

“I was in the rain at that moment. Ten years, Jackson! I cooked for you for ten years, but you can’t even acknowledge me as your wife.”

Jackson did not say anything.

“Let’s get a divorce. Let’s just let this go.”

“I won’t get a divorce.” Jackson turned away.

“When I married you, Cerise, I spent every cent I had on your wedding gift and the house renovations. That all took money, you know. How can you ask for a divorce just like that?”

I looked at him, suddenly feeling like he was a stranger.

Was this really the man I had been living with for ten years?

“Sure. Then, if we can’t have a divorce, we should at least go our separate ways. I won’t come home, and you won’t come looking for me. We won’t bother each other.”

“Cerise!”

I ignored him and walked away.

After taking a few steps, I turned to look back. Jackson was still standing in place, looking in my direction. But he did not chase after me.

The next day, I wanted to go to Jackson’s house to get some things.

I needed to get the kids’ winter clothes and some documents. I had left them behind when I left in a rush that night.

Knowing that Jackson would not be home as he was working during the day, I chose to go over at about 2 p.m.

My key still worked. As I twisted the doorknob, my hand shook just a bit.

There was a half-eaten frozen meal on the dining table, and the trash can was filled with takeout boxes.

It had only been a few days, but Jackson was eating only takeout.

I went upstairs to pack some things in the bedroom.

Lila and Lionel’s clothes were in the bottom drawer. I sat down and took the clothing out one by one.

I heard an engine out the window.

Jackson’s car had stopped outside.

He sat in the driver’s seat, and there was someone in the front passenger seat. It was a woman. I could not see her face clearly, but I could tell that she was young. She had long hair and wore a red coat.

Jackson and the woman leaned very close together.

The woman reached out to touch his face.

I was flabbergasted and clenched my phone tightly.

It was a shocking revelation for me. Jackson really had a mistress.

My next impulse was to take some photos.

I clicked on my camera app, zoomed in, and took several photos.

One had them close together and talking. Another one showed her touching his face. In another picture, Jackson turned to her and laughed.

After taking the photos, I put my phone away and kept packing.

When I left, Jackson’s car was still parked in the same place.

I went over and knocked on the car window.