جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 8

Vivian had gone to the market at four that morning just to make this meal.I loved chestnut chicken. She thought pre-peeled chestnuts never tasted clean enough, so she peeled them by hand until her index finger was covered in Band-Aids.The chicken soup on the table was still steaming.Vivian sat rigidly across from me, then lifted her eyes to mine."What do you mean you didn't draw my name? I'm your wife. Since when do I need to win a lottery just to spend your birthday with you?"And who is Lily?"My phone kept vibrating in my pocket. Lily was already rushing me."My childhood sweetheart," I said with a faint smile. "I developed indecisiveness too. I can't exactly split myself in half and give each of you a piece, can I? Drawing lots is the fairest way."I drew Lily, so Lily is spending my birthday with me. The soup smells great, though. You should have some. I have to go."I picked up my suitcase and headed for the door.Vivian let out a flat laugh."You've spent years re

"Evan, I'm asking you one last time. I don't care how angry you are, how hurt you are, or how unfair you think this has been. If you still want this marriage, then swallow it."We can go back to how we were when we first got married. I already promised I won't see Julian anymore, so stop punishing me on purpose."Or do you want us to spend the rest of our lives tormenting each other?"Her eyes were red. I stared at her for several seconds, unable to understand why she looked like the one in pain when I had been the victim from the beginning.When I stayed silent, Vivian softened her voice, as if offering me a way out."Our anniversary is the day after tomorrow. You've always wanted to go to Milan. I'll take you."I had always wanted to go. Every time I brought it up, Vivian would pull out the jar."Julian wants to go too. We should draw lots. That way my indecisiveness won't act up."I looked at her and sighed."But now I'm torn. You want to go to Milan with me, and Lily wants

"Evan! Stop! Explain yourself!"Vivian chased after us, shouting.I got into the car, and she planted herself in front of it, eyes bloodshot, pointing at Lily behind the wheel."Who is she? What gives you the right to divorce me?"Lily rolled down the window with a grin."Hi, Vivian. I'm Lily Morgan, Evan's childhood sweetheart. And hasn't he mentioned me plenty of times? Are you getting forgetful now?"Vivian shook her head violently."I don't believe you. I don't believe any of this."She never even glanced at Lily. She stared only at me, and then she gave a cold laugh."I get it. You hired her. You're angry because I've been around Julian these past two days, but I asked you, and you made your own choice."Now you're waving some fake divorce agreement around too. I never signed anything. Do you think forging a document will scare me?"Guests had gathered at the entrance to watch. Vivian rushed over and grabbed my wrist."Get out of the car. Stop embarrassing us and come

Natalie made the call, and the answer left her pale."Vivian... the hospital says Diane switched to a better medication a while ago. She doesn't need your patent anymore."Vivian caught herself against a pillar."A better medication?""Lily was part of the team that developed it."Everything suddenly made sense to her. That was why I had stopped calling, why I no longer begged, why after she came back to the marriage I never watched her with that old terrified suspicion. I had prepared to leave long before she noticed."Evan..." Vivian forced a smile that wouldn't hold. "He's really not coming back, is he? There's nothing I can use to make him come back?"Natalie sighed."Lily loves him. They grew up together. They'll probably get married. Maybe this is your chance to let the divorce happen."Julian's engagement is over too. You loved him so much. You can finally be with him."Claire spoke from nearby."If you honor the agreement and walk away without claiming the marital as