Home / My Husband Left Me for My Younger Self / Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

All Chapters of My Husband Left Me for My Younger Self: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

9 Chapters

Chapter 1

My thirteenth wedding anniversary fell on my thirty-eighth birthday.Early that morning, after dropping our ten-year-old son, Joey Shaw, off at his Math Olympiad competition, Hugh came downstairs.He was wearing yet another new tie, and, for once, a tie clip.A cute little bear with a smile decorated it.It was obviously the work of some young girl.In the living room, Joey gave me an indifferent look.I thought Hugh would use the same tired insult again:"Maya, is standing in the kitchen in an apron all you know how to do?"But he didn’t.He simply said, "Maya, let’s get divorced. I’ve already prepared the papers."I stopped halfway through turning around.I slipped a hand into my apron pocket and looked at him. "Why?"Hugh touched his tie clip and calmly admitted that he’d fallen in love with someone else.She was a new intern at his company."Mina is lively and warm, like a little ray of sunshine.""I want to pursue her as a single man and give her the respect she deserves."As he s

Chapter 2

I left home and went to the small apartment I’d bought before we got married.Mina was waiting outside.With her long hair and white dress, she looked radiant in the sunlight, her eyes bright and clear.Her eyes lit up when she saw me, but quickly dimmed when she noticed my suitcase."You really got divorced? If he loves me, doesn’t that mean he loves you too? Doesn’t he love us for who we are?"One question after another brought tears to Mina’s eyes.I wiped them away and led her inside.After setting down my suitcase, I got straight to the point. "Hugh doesn’t see us as the same person.""Emotional cheating is still cheating. Why would either of us want a man like that?"Mina’s expression faltered.She was radiant and proud, with all the brightness of a young woman.Even though we looked exactly alike, I couldn’t hide the weariness in my face, no matter how well I took care of myself.Tears slipped down Mina’s cheeks. "He loved me so much back then that he would’ve died for me. How c

Chapter 3

The next morning, I went to Hugh’s office and set the divorce papers on his desk.He looked surprised, but spoke with confidence. "You’re agreeing that easily?""Maya, you’ve been a housewife for seven years. Won’t you regret leaving me?"Hugh thought I’d cry, make a scene, and beg him to take me back.I didn’t. I simply set a pen in front of him. "Sign. I don’t want custody of Joey. I only want $2 million and an apartment downtown."Hugh froze.Then he let out two mocking chuckles and looked at me with contempt. "You think you deserve that? All you’ve done these past few years is housework and childcare.""Meanwhile, I worked to support the family, paid for your cancer treatment, supported both our parents, and never even cheated on you.""Whose side do you think the law will take?"I took a deep breath.Hugh had always kept up a spotless image. Everyone praised him for staying devoted to his family even after he’d made his fortune.Even with Mina, he’d planned to wait until after th

Chapter 4

Hugh hurried away.I knew he was going on a date with Mina.Every night, Mina told me all about their time together.Hugh was nearly forty, yet he acted like a lovestruck teenager, giving Mina every nice thing he could.He took her to expensive restaurants, bought her the season’s most exclusive designer fashions, and rented out an entire amusement park just for her…But whenever Mina came home, she’d sigh wearily."Dating Hugh is the most boring thing ever. Do all older men love mansplaining people? Maya, how did you put up with him?"Now that Mina no longer saw Hugh through rose-colored glasses, she’d become his biggest hater.Meanwhile, I quietly got on with my life.I went for checkups, exercised, and even brushed up on my professional skills so I could return to work.I hadn’t spent all those years as a housewife simply asking Hugh for money. Through introductions from former classmates, I’d also quietly taken on part-time work.Then I got a job offer from a company I’d always wan

Chapter 5

The shock on Hugh’s face struck me as ridiculous and ironic.A rumble of thunder brought him back to his senses.He stared at me in a daze, then let out a bitter, self-mocking laugh.Perhaps it was only then that he realized he still loved me.But what good did that do? Whether he loved me or not, his love was just another shackle I could live without.The rain began to pour.Hugh’s eyes were bloodshot as he gripped my shoulders. "Maya, what are you trying to prove? That the person I loved, both then and now, was always you?""If that’s true, then we shouldn’t have separated!"I sneered and shoved him away."You love me? You only loved the proud, spirited Maya you spent thirteen years wearing down! You’ve always loved feeding on the vitality in my soul!"My voice rose as I spoke, as if I wanted to pour out all the hurt I’d buried over the years."You wore me down, belittled me, complained that I was like a maid, yet enjoyed everything I did for you."Hugh hurried to explain, trying to

Chapter 6

After that day, Hugh seemed to find his way back into my life.He started messaging me nonstop, as he had when we first fell in love.[Maya, Joey didn’t win the gold medal at his competition this time. His scores have dropped.][My mom came to look after Joey, but he’s stubborn and never gets along with her. It’s exhausting.][The food at the office cafeteria was so bland today. I miss your homemade chicken soup.][Life’s been a mess without you.][Maya, I miss you so much.]For thirteen years, words like those had kept me bound to him.I’d finally escaped that bleak, stifling life and found the sunlight. I had no desire to go back.I landed the job I wanted.I secured my first contract with a marketing proposal. As former classmates praised me, I suddenly felt that all those years trapped at home had gone to waste.It was already nine by the time I left work that evening.I never expected to run into Hugh downstairs.He wore the charcoal-gray shirt I liked, the gold watch I’d picked o

Chapter 7

Silence filled the atmosphere.I smiled calmly and spoke with the same indifference Hugh had shown me in the past."So what? You have Joey. Does it matter whether I see him? Hugh, I’m busy. I don’t have time to waste on you."Hugh stiffened.He must have recognized the words. His expression changed several times.In the end, he let go of me.I walked away without looking back.The days that followed kept me on my feet from morning to night.I knew I had a lot to catch up on after spending years at home.I was nearly forty, yet I found myself dreaming the way I had when I was young.I wanted to study abroad, pursue a master's degree, and build a career and life of my own.So, I applied to schools overseas again and kept taking on freelance work and managing projects.I needed money for tuition and a secure income.Seven years ago, I’d used my severance pay and savings to make valuable investments overseas.Hugh had no idea.During those seven years as a housewife, I’d also turned the ho

Chapter 8

Hugh took me to a place I knew well.It was Harmony Bay, the first house we’d bought after we started making money.It was surprisingly clean inside, and someone had polished the furniture until it gleamed.Hugh looked nervous, like he had when he first showed the house to a client. "Maya, do you remember this place?""We spent all our savings on this house. We cried when we moved in.""I held you and promised I’d buy you more houses and give you a better life…"I didn’t react.Hugh didn’t seem to mind. He led me to a corner of the living room.It was filled with baby things: the little ball Joey used to play with, the playpen he used to crawl around in, and the portrait we’d painted of him together…One memory after another came rushing back.Just then, the door opened.My mother-in-law came in with Joey.As soon as she entered, she gave me a scrutinizing look.Then she said sarcastically, "You’re sure enjoying life after the divorce! You don’t have to take care of the kid anymore, an

Chapter 9

After that, I left Newford and went abroad.The courses were just as demanding as I’d imagined. I immersed myself in them, taking in what I learned and making it my own.Hugh never came looking for me again.He still sent me messages nonstop, reminiscing about how much we’d loved each other.I knew he was trying to find a way to make me forget how badly he’d treated me.He was so annoying.I blocked him.Joey, on the other hand, emailed me every week.He told me about everything—school, extracurricular activities, games…However, he never mentioned Hugh.Six months later, I returned to my off-campus apartment after class.When I opened my computer, I found an email from an unfamiliar sender.[Hey, Maya! Do you remember me?][I made it abroad and continued my studies. Just like you said, I didn’t fall in love or start dreaming about marriage. I only want to spread my wings and take charge of my own life. It feels amazing!][Hugh’s injuries have healed well. I asked Dad to compensate him

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