บททั้งหมดของ Five Years and Countless Loyalty Tests Later: บทที่ 1 - บทที่ 10

When I saw the message, I didn't feel any anger or betrayal. All I felt was exhaustion.Five years of marriage. I'd lost count of how many times this had happened.Her so-called "tests" were just extreme games designed to break me down, so she could stand on moral high ground and lecture me afterward. And every time, I was left to piece my broken heart back together alone, while she proudly bragged about how well she had trained me.This time, I didn't react. I calmly turned off my phone and drove home.I opened the front door.The living room lights were dim. Kathy Bolton was curled up on the couch, casually popping a plump strawberry into her mouth. When she heard the door open, she looked up at me. There was a flicker of anticipation in her eyes, along with a hint of smug confidence.I knew exactly what was going through her mind.She expected me to see the obvious clues she'd left behind and lose my mind—screaming, interrogating her, demanding answers. She expected me to fal

Kathy didn't say a word straightforwardly. But her reaction told me everything I needed to know.I was done dragging this out. I shoved her hand away, my voice dripping with disgust."Enough. Save your pathetic act for someone who still believes it. Kathy, you've used the same tricks over and over again. Aren't you tired of it? Because I'm sick of it."With that, I grabbed my suitcase and walked toward the door without looking back. I opened it, stepped through, and pulled it shut behind me.The moment the door closed, I heard her wailing from the other side. Heartbreaking. Desperate. Bitter.But I didn't hesitate. I didn't look back. I just dragged my suitcase into the late-night hallway.The elevator descended slowly. The mirror reflected a face that was exhausted, but calm.When I stepped out of the building, the night breeze hit my face and lifted the weight I'd been carrying for years. I took a deep breath. The air felt cool.For the first time in five years, I felt light.

But I underestimated just how shameless and obsessive Kathy could be.I thought that after being exposed and rejected, she would give up. I never imagined she would go this far.That afternoon, my lawyer, Steven, called me. His tone was serious."Mr. Cullen, we have a problem. Kathy is refusing to agree to the divorce. She's also hired her own attorney."A lawyer? My stomach tightened. So she was determined to drag this out."What else?" I asked calmly."She's submitted some 'evidence' to the court." He paused. "She claims you had an affair during the marriage and that you physically abused her. She's asking for you to walk away with nothing—no assets, no settlement—plus additional compensation for her emotional distress and lost time."Walk away with nothing?I almost laughed. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. Only Kathy could pull something like this."What kind of evidence?" I asked."Nothing substantial," Steven said. "She submitted some photos of you with fema

The moment the words left my mouth, Kathy broke down.She collapsed over the table, sobbing uncontrollably. Her cries were filled with despair and pleading."No… please, don't take me to court… I'm sorry, Sean. I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have tested you. I shouldn't have lied to you. I shouldn't have faked that evidence or accused you of cheating. I just… I love you so much. I was so afraid of losing you. That's why I did all those stupid things. Sean, please forgive me. Just this once. I won't act out anymore. I won't test you anymore. Let's start over. Please.""Love?" I couldn't help but laugh bitterly, my voice dripping with contempt. "Your idea of love is lying to me over and over? Your idea of love is testing me like some kind of experiment? Your idea of love is treating me like an idiot—pushing me around, manipulating me, torturing me?"Kathy, look me in the eye and tell me nothing happened with those men. Tell me those photos were all just acting. When you were half-naked in

That night, I got a call from Kathy.Her voice was hoarse, hollow—drenched in despair and venom."Sean. Are you happy now?""Yes," I said calmly. "I'm very happy.""You sick freak! You're insane!" she shrieked, hysterical."I'm insane?" I let out a dry laugh. "Kathy, you're the one who kept testing me, lying to me, over and over again. You created this situation. I just gave you a taste of your own medicine."Kathy completely broke down."I'm sorry, Sean. I'm really sorry… please come back… let's start over…""Kathy, do you really think we can go back to the way things were?" I cut her off. "And let me tell you something—this isn't over yet. You and James owe me. And I'm going to collect every last penny, with interest."I hung up before she could respond and blocked her number.I didn't feel a shred of pity for her anymore.In the days that followed, I methodically worked through my plan.I anonymously tipped off the authorities about James's company—tax evasion, illegal t