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Chapter 5

Author: That's All
Morgan replied instantly: [Now, now. We all know he doesn't understand you at all. At least, I really don't think he does. Hey, didn't you say you wanted to visit the amusement park? I got the tickets! Let's go tomorrow!]

My mood brightened immediately.

[Yes!]

…

The next morning, I put on my prettiest dress and some light makeup before stepping out of my room, ready for another day of fun.

To my surprise, Xavier was still home. He sat on the couch in the living room, glaring at me. "Where do you think you're going?"

I ignored him.

I did not expect him to walk over to me and say awkwardly, "I have nothing on my agenda today. Where do you want to go? I can come with you."

I shook my head. "Oh, hell no! This is a trip between Morgan and me! It'd be so weird if you showed up!"

His expression darkened even further. "I am your husband, Madeline!"

Okay? So what? Why was he telling me that?

His phone suddenly rang. Unlike his usual ringtone, this one was Reyna's exclusive tone.

I did not want to waste any more time here when I could have been at the amusement park, so I said, "Uh, aren't you going to answer that?"

He stared at me as though he were searching my face for something. The ringing stopped.

Only when the phone rang again did he finally answer it. The moment he heard Reyna sobbing, his expression softened. "Hey, I'm coming."

The call ended. He shot me a glance with an unreadable expression before hurrying out.

I pouted in annoyance, then headed off to meet Morgan.

…

I spent the next few days going on outings with Morgan.

Xavier, however, had changed. He started coming home more often. He would invite me to meals, bring me gifts, or ask where I was going.

I had no idea why he was doing any of it. All I knew was that I kept turning him down because I had already made plans with Morgan.

It was now the 20th of May. Morgan's college was holding a ball, and I accepted his invitation to be his dance partner.

Only after I agreed did I remember that it was also our third wedding anniversary. Xavier happened to be home, too, and I felt just a little guilty.

As such, I walked over to him and handed him a card. "Sorry, Xavier. I forgot today is our wedding anniversary. Buy yourself something you like with this. It's my apology."

Something about those words felt familiar. Then I realized why. It was exactly what Xavier used to say every time he stood me up for our dates or special occasions because of Reyna. Afterward, he always bought me gifts.

At first, it was the latest luxury bag or a piece of jewelry I really liked. Eventually, he ran out of gift ideas and simply started handing me his credit card.

I had no idea how he felt whenever he did that to me, but now that I was doing the exact same thing to him.

It felt so goddamn right!

Xavier did not take the card. Instead, he grabbed my arm and looked into my eyes.

Hurt and confusion filled his face. "I'm your husband, Madeline! Why do you keep rejecting me just to spend time with some... some other guy? Why do you keep choosing him over me?!"

Suddenly, the door opened.

"Maddie! I'm here! Let's go!"

I froze, then sighed. "What's wrong with you? You're the one who told me we should have an open relationship and that I should have other people in my life instead of clinging to you, right?

"So I'm doing exactly that! I have someone who's willing to meet my emotional needs now, so I don't cling to you anymore. Shouldn't you be happy?"

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  • The Perks of Opening Up   Chapter 11

    I no longer had to hear Xavier rush out of the house in the middle of the night after all. I no longer had to watch Reyna subtly brag about the time she spent with her "beloved mentor."Every day, I woke up whenever I wanted without setting an alarm.Morgan always made me breakfast. After that, he headed to his classes while I either watched dramas at home, went shopping, or spent the day at a spa getting facial treatments.When his classes ended, he always came back with something delicious for me. Sometimes, it was something he had made himself. Other times, he picked up treats from new eateries.In the evenings, we watched movies together on the couch. He was even more prone to crying than I was. He secretly wiped away his tears, thinking I never noticed.It was a calm, ordinary, comfortable life.Then, one day, Morgan didn't show up for breakfast. He texted to say Xavier wanted to talk to him, so he wouldn't be able to see me until much later. I told him it was fine.…That

  • The Perks of Opening Up   Chapter 10

    Now? I just didn't care anymore."I called my department head. Reyna is being transferred off my team and onto someone else's. So this is good, right? We can still be—""What, together?" I interjected. "Xavier, are you just worried that I don't want you anymore?"I watched him visibly reel and spoke calmly. "You're the one who doesn't want me anymore. Ever since we got together, I've spent countless birthdays alone. I ate alone. I cried alone."You always told me to be more understanding or stop being so 'small-hearted.' You told me to go explore the world and find myself."I did exactly that, and now you're upset. I started wondering how I could ease your pain. Maybe the only way is for me to disappear from your life. I just don't know, Xavier."His lips trembled. "I'm not unhappy when I'm with you! I love you! I've always loved you!"The three words I had always wanted to hear finally came."But Maddie, do you still love me?" His voice was so hoarse I could barely hear it.I

  • The Perks of Opening Up   Chapter 9

    "Please consider divorcing Professor Bates, Maddie," Morgan said.I didn't answer."I mean it," he said earnestly. "If this marriage can't make you happy, then why hold onto it? Why keep suffering?"He got out of the car, opened the door for me like a gentleman, and walked me to the front door. At last, he said, "Have a good night, Maddie."I watched him leave as his shadow stretched longer and longer beneath the streetlight.Then I turned around and opened the door.A heavy stench of alcohol hit me immediately. The living room was dark, but I could make out the silhouette of a man.Xavier was still wearing the clothes he had on earlier that day, but his collar was already unbuttoned, and his tie was gone.Empty beer bottles littered the coffee table and the floor. The moment he saw me, he lurched to his feet, only to nearly collapse back onto the couch.He had drunk a lot. That was ironic, considering what he had once told me. He used to say alcohol impaired a person's judgme

  • The Perks of Opening Up   Chapter 8

    "Please stop coming to campus to look for him, okay? It's pretty emasculating for him. Everyone in our program has been saying you're not a very understanding wife. All you seem to do is spend money on your own indulgences. I'm telling you this for your own good."Reyna left me alone after that. I stood there, watching the students come and go, and suddenly felt an overwhelming urge to cry.So I did. I wandered across the street from the college and ended up sobbing beneath a streetlamp.By the time I finished crying and returned home, Xavier still had not come back. I washed my face, put on a facial mask, ordered something scrumptious for delivery, watched two episodes of a drama series, and then went to bed alone.He came home the next day without offering any explanation. I did not ask about it or comment.By then, I had gradually stopped throwing fits. There was no point. He simply came and went as he pleased.I honestly thought no one had seen me that winter. I had no idea h

  • The Perks of Opening Up   Chapter 7

    Morgan had excitedly told me how long the college had spent preparing it and how he had even taken dance lessons so he would not step on my toes. I told him I would not mind if he did, but he insisted he never would because my feet were too precious to be hurt.At the thought, I took his hand. "Hey, wait up! I've spent more than an hour on my makeup, Morgan. It'd be such a waste if I didn't go!"He turned around, his eyes lighting up. Then he shot Xavier a hesitant glance and muttered, "But what about Professor—""Meh, he's not relevant here."Xavier stepped into my path again, his voice hoarse. "Madeline Bates! I am your husband!"His eyes were red.Suddenly, I felt as though I did not know him. The Xavier I knew was always perfectly composed, elegant, scholarly, and calm. He had never thrown a fit. He had never even cracked.Even when I threw the biggest bitch fit I could manage, all he ever did was frown and sigh. "Please stop this already."I had never seen him like this.

  • The Perks of Opening Up   Chapter 6

    Xavier released me. The hurt in his eyes gave way to shock.Morgan walked into the house wearing a perfectly tailored suit. A small white rose peeked from his breast pocket. He looked effortlessly gallant and charming.The sight of Xavier clearly caught him off guard, though he quickly recovered with a gentlemanly smile. "Ah, Professor Bates! What a coincidence!"Xavier went pale. His voice seemed to catch in his throat. "You?! You're the Morgan she was talking about?!"My eyes darted between them, completely nonplussed. "Uh... do you two know each other?"Morgan stepped over to me, then tilted his head as he looked at me."Didn't I mention that? Professor Bates is my mentor," he replied, his tone as casual as if he were commenting on the weather.I searched my memory. He had told me he was a postgraduate student. He had also mentioned that his mentor was a rather renowned researcher. But I didn't remember him ever mentioning his name.Maybe he had, and I had simply forgotten.

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