Chapter 3
Just as I was getting ready to wash up and go to bed, my phone buzzed
I opened it to see an unknown number sending photos of torn condom wrappers scattered on the ground.
With a message:
[Old hag, is Mr. Cullen so over you that he can’t get enough of me?]
Maybe before, I would’ve been so pissed I’d shake and immediately call Jaxon crying, begging him to come home.
But now? I just saved the evidence, forwarded it to my lawyer, and got ready for bed.
What I didn’t expect was Jaxon actually coming home at 2 AM.
When he opened the front door, he found the house pitch black.
Seven years of marriage–whenever he came home drunk, no matter how late, I’d always leave a light on for him.
The kitchen always had hangover pills ready and warm milk heating up.
But now the kitchen was empty. Nothing.
Jaxon frowned as he walked into the bedroom, reaching out to touch my forehead:
“Harley, you feeling okay? It was windy today, and that dress didn’t have much fabric…
Did you
twist your ankle going up on stage? How’s it feeling now?”
I turned my head away from his hand, silently frowning in the darkness.
“I’m fine.”
Jaxon squinted at my back for a long time, then checked his phone.
Weird. Not a single missed call.
I used to blow up his phone whenever he was fooling around with other women, calling like crazy begging him to come home.
He thought for a moment, then said:
“Today was Disney’s brand collaboration invite. Ivy and I went to test shoot the couples experience. Don’t read into it–you hate all that kiddie stuff anyway, right? Ivy happens to love it”
I couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh, cutting off his rambling.
Judy Hopps, strawberry bears–of course I loved that stuff.
It’s just that seven years ago, we lived in a basement with drafty windows. Every winter we had to sleep in our coats under thick blankets, stretching every dollar as far as it would go.
I’d see that $299 Judy Hopps on the shelf, then look at Jaxon’s face as he gritted his teeth wanting to buy it, and I’d pretend I didn’t
like it.
Because I’d seen the blood donation slips in his coat pocket.
Our Vows Were Lies, But Your Revenge Will Be Very Real
Chapter 3
Back then, he’d always feel guilty:
“Harley, you’re always suffering because of me. I’m so sorry.
Someday I’ll buy Disneyland and you’ll be the only princess in the castle.”
I’d press my forehead against his: “I don’t care about any of that. I only care about you.”
But now, I gently pushed him away. “I’m not reading into anything. Just wash up and sleep.”
My honest words only earned a cold laugh from Jaxon:
“Jesus, enough already! I’m swamped right now–I don’t have time for your dramatic bullshit!”
Just then, my phone pinged with an email notification. I opened it eagerly, casually saying:
“So busy but you still found time to get Ivy that egg–sized pink diamond. You’re pretty good at time management.”
Jaxon’s face darkened. “Ivy has returned her year–end bonus and exchanged it for one wish–everyone at the company knew it.”
“Harley, stop making up shit about me and other people. This is exhausting!”
Before tonight, “making up shit” and “exhausting” were Jaxon’s magic words to make me grovel and apologize.
But surprisingly, after hearing him snap at me, I didn’t say a word.
He had no idea I was looking at the divorce papers my lawyer had sent.
“What are you looking at?”
I turned off the screen.
“Nothing. I’m tired, going to sleep.”
SLAM.
Next second, Jaxon stormed out.
Like always, this was the signal for our cold war to begin.
Before, I would’ve been on my knees at the door, crying and begging him not to leave.
But now, I just signed my name on the divorce papers, slipped off that plain silver ring, and tossed it.
Lights out, fast asleep. Best night’s rest I’d had in/ages.
I figured Jaxon would disappear for half a month like last time.
But surprisingly, the next morning he was in the kitchen, breakfast ready and waiting for me.
