Leaving Behind My Nine-year Marriage 소설 & 이야기

For the past seven years, I was simply not the one he loved. In that single moment, seven years of marriage became an absolute joke.

“And if you think I’m lying, then bring your ass to the company and come do the work yourself.” The disgust in his eyes didn’t even try to hide itself and before I could say anything else, he turned and walked out. Just like that. The door clicked shut behind him, the sound echoing louder than it should have. And I was left there all alone. My grip slowly loosened on the wheelchair as my shoulders trembled, the tears falling freely now. My heart felt like it was breaking all over again. Oh God why was my marriage becoming like this? * * * It was late afternoon when the pain on my lower body started.

Corrine asks her eyes pinning mine. “Even if that’s true, which I highly doubt, it doesn’t matter. It’s a little too late. I gave him countless opportunities during the nine years we were married and he wasted them all. He gave me nothing in return except pain. I just don’t see things the way you guys do”

I gave a soft, bitter laugh and slowly slipped our documents back into my pocket. “This makes ninety-nine.” “What?” “This is the ninety-ninth time we’ve tried to get our marriage registered.” I turned toward the subway entrance. “And the ninety-ninth time you’ve left me hanging because of him.” I heard her heels stop on the pavement, then suddenly start running after me. “The first time, you bailed on our trip because he was on the night shift and scared of the dark. You took a red-eye flight just to be with him. “The second time, we were practically at the door of the courthouse. You heard he fainted from overwork and left me standing in the snow alone for an entire day.”

I had seen his type before and I had a feeling it wasn’t a one time thing. The foolishness of being young is no excuse for sticking through five years of being emotionally beaten down until I am nothing but a shell of the woman I used to be. I almost left him once four years ago, but then I found out I was pregnant and I felt trapped in a marriage that I am miserable in.

Him teaching the 9-year-old me how to ride a bicycle before everything changed. Him slowly becoming colder toward me year after year until eventually I stopped expecting warmth at all. I pushed the memories down immediately. Grace inhaled shakily. “Ever since then, things haven’t been the same.” Her voice sounded embarrassed now. Ashamed. “Mom hasn’t been well either.” I stayed silent. “She barely leaves her room anymore.” The baby shifted again, and Grace bounced it gently before continuing. “I didn’t tell you this but… I got married three years ago.”

Dave worried. “ I could always leave after having the baby. It’s no big deal Dad, we can make this work.” Taking his hands and offering him a cheeky smile she replied reassuringly for the zillionth time that morning. Call me delusional but I’m going to make him fall for me! “I’m not in support of you leaving! Don’t talk about that. Can’t you see how my marriage ended with Maddie’s mum? She left me for someone else in the most shocking way.” He shook his head as he recalled the events that happened almost 15yrs ago.

Because I couldn't bring myself to call anyone Not Claire, not my father and Certainly not Ethan. The cold seeped through my dress quickly as my heels splashed through puddles. Mascara burned the corners of my eyes. I wasn't even sure if I was crying anymore. Everything felt numb. Three years. Three years of marriage and somehow I'd ended up here. Alone and Thrown out. Walking through a storm while my husband ran to another woman. A bitter laugh escaped me. God. What a joke.

I felt dazed upon hearing his sincere words. The pain I felt was unbearable. Yet, my mind had never been clearer. I stared straight into his eyes and asked, "When did it start?" His gaze flickered. "Six years ago." Something solid deep inside me collapsed. We had been married for 10 years, but he had spent six of them cheating on me. Yet, I hadn't noticed a thing. Grief swallowed me whole. Details I had once brushed aside now came crashing back all at once.