CH 4: Let’s Get Divorce

Jennifer Hudson

Suddenly, Aunt Sarah stepped forward and stood between Julia and me. Her face looked a little pale, and she was wearing a forced smile.

“I think we can talk about that later. Now let’s have dinner.” Sarah reached for Julia’s hand, but Julia shook off her mother’s hand and remained standing.

“No, Mom. I don’t think I can keep hiding this any longer,” Julia replied, gesturing for her mother to step away from us.

Ethan cleared his throat loudly twice, as if signaling something to Julia. It felt like watching a play. They thought I didn’t know everything yet.

“I don’t want to live in the shadows anymore, while all the spotlight is on Jenny. My pregnancy is already eight weeks along, and the happy father is none other than Ethan. We love each other, and you’re standing in our way,” Julia said in a high-pitched voice.

“Enough, Julia! Don’t go on,” Ethan yelled. His voice was loud enough to deafen us.

My father and Sarah remained silent. Ethan lowered his head, while Julia smiled smugly.

Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. Finally, they had exposed their own secret with just one question from me. I never imagined everything would come to light so quickly.

“Let’s get a divorce,” Ethan said suddenly. The words I’d feared all this time finally came out of his mouth and shook my world in an instant.

“Do you want a divorce so you can be happy?” I asked as I stood up and looked at him.

“Yes. This marriage isn’t the one I wanted. I just want to be happy with the woman I love,” he replied firmly and coldly. There was no regret or pity for me.

“Have you ever thought about my happiness?” I asked, holding back the pain in my heart. Every word that came out of his mouth felt like a knife slicing through every part of my heart.

“I love Julia. Especially since she’s carrying my child. I have to give that child proper status. Please have mercy on Julia. I’ll give you a fair divorce settlement.”

“B-but, I’m also—” My lips stopped forming words. It seemed pointless to tell him about my pregnancy. After all, I wasn’t the woman he loved, and he’d never wanted the babies in my womb.

Why should I have pity on Julia when I need pity? I’m also carrying his child. I think it’s pointless to keep this marriage going any longer. They really want to get rid of me as soon as possible.

Sarah knelt before me suddenly, holding my hands. She put on a sad expression. While shedding fake tears, she pleaded with me.

“Forgive the mistakes your sister has made. You can do whatever you want to me to vent your anger. I’ll accept it all. But please, just this once, give in for your sister’s sake,” she begged.

Has my family forgotten that I’ve always given in for Julia’s sake for a long time? I’ve always accepted everything and never complained. They said all that in front of Ethan as if I’d never once given in for Julia’s sake.

I’m sick and tired of all this drama.

“Jennifer, please.” Even Ethan knelt down in front of me.

I turned and looked at Dad. He stood silently in place without saying a word. Both his hands were clenched at his sides. His face was bowed, staring at the floor.

I wiped my tear-stained eyes while holding back the tightness in my chest. I’ve never really had a place in my family. In fact, not even my father could stand up for me even once. I really should just leave and get away from them.

Before answering their request, I looked at each of my family members’ faces. The faces of the people who treated me unfairly. Especially Sarah and Julia. Even at the very last moment, Julia stood there haughtily, without a shred of guilt. Ethan was the same; he never considered my feelings and sacrificed them instead.

I laughed softly while continuing to wipe away the tears streaming from the corners of my eyes. “A-alright, if that’s what you want. Let’s get a divorce. But I have one condition.”

“What’s the condition? I’ll fulfill your request as long as I’m able,” Ethan replied. At that moment, his voice sounded enthusiastic.

“Give me one month and spend time with me doing all the things a real married couple usually does. We’ll start tomorrow. After that, you can divorce me.”

All eyes were on me. Maybe they thought I was a depressed woman asking for something strange.

“A-alright,” Ethan replied softly.

I hurried away from there and kept walking until I reached a deserted intersection. Then, I saw a bench next to a street lamp, sat there and cried as hard as I could while screaming.

However, a few moments later, I realized I wasn’t alone. There were two lives inside my womb that I had to fight for. I couldn’t be weak. I had to be strong.

After feeling calmer, I hurriedly called an online taxi and went home. When I arrived home, I couldn’t find Ethan anywhere. Maybe he was still celebrating his newfound freedom with Julia. They had successfully removed one obstacle.

The next morning, when I woke up and looked to my side, I found the bed empty. I thought Ethan might sleep in the guest room, considering we’d agreed to divorce.

I steeled myself not to shed any more tears. And since I only had one month left, I couldn’t afford to waste a single second.

That morning, I put on my best clothes and made myself as beautiful as possible, then hurried out of the room. However, just as I finished closing the door and turned around, I accidentally bumped into him.

“I slept in the guest room last night because I didn’t want to disturb you,” he explained.

“I understand. You don’t need to explain.”

“You look so beautiful this morning. Different from usual,” he complimented.

His compliment didn’t make me happy. In the two years we’ve been married, he’s never once complimented my appearance.

“Thank you,” I replied briefly.

“About that one-month condition. May I ask what our plans are for today?” he asked.