Wanting Both Worlds, Getting None

I dazedly took the duvet cover Cindy handed me.

I looked at the elaborate spread on the table and thought it felt nothing like a wedding anniversary. Instead, it felt more like a farewell dinner before a divorce.

Without giving me a chance to refuse, Cindy pushed me out the door. She even packed up the food on the table and shooed me away.

When I opened the door, Andy and Kevin were already standing there outside.

Looking all pitiful, Andy hurried over with his head bowed and apologized to me in a small voice.

"Sorry, Gary. It's just with Kevin starting school and all, I had no choice but to resort to this. If you're not okay with this, Kevin and I will just go."

Even though he said that, he didn't make the slightest move to go. His eyes were locked right on Cindy.

Kevin immediately darted over and wrapped his arms around Cindy's leg.

"Aunt Cindy, are you really throwing Daddy and me out?" he asked pitifully. "But you promised you'd take care of us forever!"

Cindy instantly panicked. She bent down to comfort Kevin, then looked up at me and said urgently, "Gary, I know this isn't fair to you. But this is a critical time for Andy and Kevin right now, so I can't just turn my back on them.

"Besides, I'm only letting Andy and Kevin live here temporarily. This house will still be yours in the future. But if I abandon them at this point, it could affect Kevin's future for the rest of his life."

I clutched the duvet cover and said nothing.

Getting no response from me, Cindy gritted her teeth and forced a bitter, pleading smile.

"Of course, if you're still not okay with it, I'll just take Andy and Kevin, and we'll figure something else out."

When I heard those words, I clenched my fists so tightly that my knuckles went white. At the same time, I felt a telltale prickle in my nose.

She was even resorting to threats and bribes now.

I could see her fighting to keep the anger off her face. She was framing it like I had a choice, but I knew deep down she'd already made it for me.

"Andy, I really never would've guessed you had such a way of reeling people in. Consider my eyes thoroughly opened," I said sarcastically.

The room instantly fell silent. All I could hear was Andy quietly clenching his jaw.

"Gary Sampson, how could you think that of me? All I care about right now is raising Kevin right. If I'd had any other choice, I never would've come begging to Cindy."

At that, I let out a dismissive snort.

Cindy immediately frowned, looking both embarrassed and angry as she snapped at me.

"Gary, what is this nonsense you're pulling? Let me tell you—I have already transferred this house to Andy and Kevin. Even if you disagree, you don't have any say in the matter anymore."

I instantly dug my fingertips into my palms, nearly drawing blood.

If she'd already gone ahead and done it, what was the point of asking me in the first place?

Both the property transfer and being kicked out of my own home came as a notice. What difference would it have made if I'd objected?

In that moment, it wasn't sadness I felt, but a profound bleakness.

After three years of marriage, I still hadn't been able to make her forget Andy.