Leaving Him in Seven Days

The day my father was sent to an overseas branch, Rory Lawson brought home his first love, who had just gotten divorced.He entered my room with a poker face and announced, "Sienna is moving in next week. I owe her too much. Don't complain about it."My father had been forced to step down after being accused of workplace harassment. And now, Rory couldn't even wait to make his intentions clear.I looked up and met his gaze, now devoid of any warmth.We had been married for three years, but I had never managed to win his heart.I looked away, hiding the sting in my heart. "Alright."I was leaving soon, so it didn't matter anymore. He was free to bring anyone home.Surprised by my easy compliance, Rory tried to say something, but no words came out.He had always been reticent in front of me.After he left, I opened the safe in my vanity and retrieved a piece of paper from beneath my jewelry box. It was the divorce agreement he gave me three years ago. Signed and stamped.All it

I avoided his gaze. "I'm not wearing it."Rory's grip tightened around my wrist, the pain making me wince.Sienna quickly intervened. "Rory..."As if waking from a daze, he released me and smiled at her. "Pardon my crudeness."I walked away, the eyes of those around me following me with a strange intensity....On the sixth day before I left, I went through the papers.Rory's mother called, asking me to move out of their house as soon as possible. I refused, saying I still had work to finish.Unhappy about it, she reprimanded me, "You've been married for three years, and there's still no sign of a baby. It's time for Rory to find someone else."I lowered my head. "He's free to. But it'll only happen once he agrees to divorce me."Rory could marry anyone he liked. It had nothing to do with me.Anyway, the divorce agreement was already signed. All that was left was to go to the courthouse with him to get it approved.I ended the call and returned to my room. In the corridor,

There were two days to go before Rory and Sienna's wedding.The villa was decorated with festive ornaments, so much so that even my secluded room seemed to have caught the cheerful atmosphere.I pushed open the window and looked outside. There was a banner with bold and elegant handwriting on it. I recognized Rory's handwriting, and it wrote, [Hold your hand and grow old together.]No such things were there when I married him three years ago.My eyes then landed on Sienna, who was at the far end of the corridor. Her steps were brisk as she walked toward my room. The white wedding gown she wore swirled around her like a patch of cloud.She stopped at my door and asked warmly, "What kind of necklace do you think I should wear for the wedding?"She wore the dress she had just tried on. Her hair hadn't been done, and she looked like a naïve girl.I answered, "You're not a first-time bride. Don't you know it well? Why bother asking me?"Her smile froze. She wanted to say something, but no

I could taste fruits that weren't available and see landscapes that were impossible back home.The sunlight and the sea breeze were liberating. I found myself falling in love with this new life.The bits and pieces of my time with Rory started to fade away. The occasional moments of warmth, the rare bursts of happiness, the long, lonely nights, the silent, unasked-for waiting were all behind me now....I returned from a wedding. The bridegroom was the son of my father's friend.My mother took my hand and asked, "I saw you zoning out earlier. Were you thinking about him again?"I blinked. "I was just wondering how they made the fish at the banquet. It tasted different from the ones you make."She laughed, "I'll have your dad ask them."I snuggled up against her. It was a peaceful, loving moment....Before the wedding began, Rory stood outside my room for a long time.He wanted to explain himself. This wedding wasn't about love. It was just to make up for Sienna's regrets.

I ignored Sienna, focusing on the tiramisu in front of me.Maryam Kinchin chattered, "She divorced a playboy and married a rich CEO. What more could she want?"I pondered. "Who knows?"I handed Maryam a macaron. She sat down, and we enjoyed our afternoon tea together. The sweet aroma of the pastries filled the air, adding a touch of warmth to the auction.Maryam couldn't sit still. After a couple of bites, she got up to take photos.Sienna approached me and spat, "Tiffany, this is all your fault."I was puzzled. "My fault? Not again."I might be young and healthy, but I couldn't bear all kinds of accusations.She huffed, "If you hadn't married Rory, he and I would have been together five years ago. I wouldn't have suffered so much, and he wouldn't have you on his mind. We wouldn't be in this situation, tired of each other."I pressed my temples, feeling a dull ache. "Why don't you blame him?"She was speechless, and I went on, "His family was broke. To save the day, Rory woul