Chapter 7: Let's Get Divorced
1092 Words
Ada's eyes lacked any spark of life, showing no desire to keep going. It deeply concerned Peter. "Ada, isn't there anything you still want?"
"I do," Ada's gaze momentarily lost focus, and her expression turned icy. She covered her eyes with a tear-soaked hand, realizing only then that she had been crying.
"Peter, what haven't I had in my life, apart from not seeing my mother? Wealth, power, even the person I've loved for so many years is right here with me." Everything she desired was within arm's reach, yet somehow unattainable.
Clearly, Ada didn't want to delve into this topic any further. She turned around and sat at her computer, immersing herself in the documents. Peter had come today, but his attempts at persuasion were futile. The current Ada had locked herself in a narrow and dim space where no one could enter.
"Does Joseph know you're sick?"
"He doesn't know, and I don't want him to know." Illness or not, Ada was still the proud Ada who never sought pity for her condition. Besides, Joseph might not even show any sympathy. Knowing that she was dying would only make him regret not being able to use her as a mobile blood bank for Isabella anymore.
Peter fell silent and let out a low sigh. He took out two bottles of medicine from his bag and placed them on the coffee table - one bottle of potent painkillers and one bottle of anti-cancer medication.
"Don't drink coffee, take the medicine as prescribed, and eat on time..." Peter rattled off a list of instructions before taking a deep breath and leaving.
As the sound of the door closing echoed in the room, Ada lifted her gaze to the two bottles of medicine on the coffee table. She then grabbed her phone and checked for messages. There was nothing except work-related updates.
......
Joseph had been absent from home for nearly two weeks. Ada gradually abandoned her old habits, no longer leaving the lights on or cooking for him upon his return. However, every night, she couldn't resist the urge to check her phone in the wee hours.
She had hoped that she could instantly extinguish her feelings for Joseph, but it seemed that this emotion was like a toxic seed that had taken root in her heart, poisoning her to the core. She never realized its true severity until it grew into a towering tree, casting a shadow over her entire being. To let go, she had to uproot it completely. It had become an unwanted growth on her heart, tugging at the tenderest flesh. The mere thought of it caused her heart to ache.
Ada opened her contacts, and there was only one name listed—Joseph's. Without hesitation, she pressed the call button.
She dialed three times in a row, but there was no answer. This was a common occurrence, so she didn't feel too disappointed. Numbness had taken over. Ada persisted in making more calls, something she had never done since they got married.
"Beep...beep..." The fourth call seemed to last an eternity before the ringing tone was replaced by a voice. Perhaps her incessant calls had annoyed him, but Joseph finally answered.
"What's the matter?"
Joseph's voice came through the phone, lacking any warmth, much like the temperature of her own hand.
Seventeen days without any contact had its advantages. At least her emotions were stable, and she didn't break down in tears in front of Joseph.
Ada's voice was strained, her throat a little hoarse. "Can you come back this weekend?"
"What? After not sexing for half a month, now you suddenly want me by your side? Ada, aren't you cheap?"
Ada's body froze.
In a relationship where one falls in love first and loves the deepest, emotional equality is often unattainable, especially when Joseph had never loved her. She was as insignificant as dirt in his eyes.
"I have something important to discuss with you, something you've always desired. Are you sure you don't want to come back?"
Joseph remained silent on the other end of the line. Static filled the air, and if one listened closely, Isabella's soft and sweet voice could be faintly heard. Ada couldn't make out the words, but she could hear Joseph's captivating voice assuring, "Sleep well, I'll stay here with you."
Was the window open? Why did she feel so cold?
Suddenly, Ada felt suffocated, struggling to catch her breath. She clutched her chest, gasping for air like a fish stranded on the shore, on the verge of death.
A groan escaped Ada's lips as her stomach convulsed, and a mouthful of blood choked in her throat.
Gradually, the phone grew silent, and Joseph finally responded, "What's wrong?"
Ada swallowed the blood in her mouth and tried to sound nonchalant, "Joseph, if I tell you I'm dying, would you feel even a little bit sorry for me?"
"Huh." Joseph sneered, his voice dripping with coldness. "Ada, what game are you trying to play now? I know your body well. What illness could you possibly have? Neurosis? Or maybe delusion?"
Ada felt as if a knife had been ruthlessly plunged into her heart, the pain intensifying with each passing moment. What did he truly know about her body? It was utterly ridiculous. Perhaps her worn-out appearance meant nothing to Joseph. The only thing that felt real was her neurosis, the haunting obsession that had consumed her for sixteen long years.
Before Ada could utter a word, Isabella couldn't help but chime in, "Joseph, Ada misses you. Why don't you go back and see her?"
Ada heard every word clearly, and a wave of nausea washed over her. She felt foolish for asking such a self-deprecating question, making Joseph's lover pity her and beseech her man to come home.
Finally, she understood. Joseph had been reveling in his affair with Isabella for the past two weeks, never regarding her as anything more than a spare part in his life.
Reflecting on those four years, Ada chuckled, but her laughter lacked any genuine warmth and was instead laced with icy bitterness.
Ada couldn't recall when the call had ended. She simply clutched the phone tightly, her hand trembling, and gradually set it down. The screen had long turned black.
Taking a deep breath, blood trickled from the corner of Ada's mouth. She wiped it away with a blood-stained hand, feeling the discomfort. Ignoring the crimson stains, Ada proceeded to compose a text message to Joseph.
"Let's end our marriage and get a divorce."
- Writer
