Chapter 9
Three years after my father died, my younger brother was diagnosed with a rare disease–one that required lifelong hospitalization.
When I entered college, I started working part–time, juggling studies and shifts just to help shoulder the burden. Every cent I earned went straight to my mother. Eventually, I gave her almost my entire salary. She couldn’t work anymore; she had to stay home to care for my brother. And his treatments only got more expensive over time.
In the beginning, I was exhausted–physically, emotionally, and financially.
Fortunately, I had Geoffrey.
Back then, he stood by me through everything. He even gave me part of his own salary to help ease the weight I carried. When he got promoted, and I became pregnant, I chose to quit my job and stay home to take care of our family. From then on, he handled all the expenses.
So, at first, I always tried to understand him. I convinced myself he was under too much pressure. Even when I caught him cheating the first time, I used that as an excuse to forgive him
But over time, it got worse–so much worse. His betrayal became routine. Expected. I stopped recognizing the man I once loved.
Then my mother barged into the hospital room, her words sharp and relentless.
“Jean, have you completely lost your mind?”
“Divorce Geoffrey? Are you going to pay your brother’s medical bills by yourself? Do you ever have the means to support both me and him?”
She didn’t pause to let me speak.
“You’ve been married to Geoffrey for years. You know better than anyone how he’s treated us Think hard–who paid for your brother’s surgeries? Who kept food on the table?”
“Which man doesn’t fool around outside? Just turn a blind eye! Why make such a fuss over nothing?”
She looked at me with contempt, her voice rising. “I came here to warn you. If your brother dies because of your selfishness, I will never forgive you–even if it kills me!”
“You’re not divorcing him. I forbid it!”
Her words cut deep–not because they surprised me, but because I’d always known: since my brother was born, I became an afterthought. Her love and concern were always for him.
I took a breath, trying to keep calm. “Mom, I’ve already decided-”
She didn’t let me finish. She grabbed my arm roughly. “Decided? You’ve lost your mind!”
Before I could resist, she dragged me out of the room and shoved me into the car she had brought.
I was still weak from the surgery. My body hadn’t recovered enough to fight her.
On the way there, she lectured me non–stop.
S
“Geoffrey is a successful man now. He has money, influence. What are you thinking, being this stupid?”
8:36 pm
“He’s just fooling around with other women. So what? He didn’t bring them home, did he? Wha there to be angry about?”
“He promised me himself–if you drop this nonsense, he’ll never divorce you. You’ll always Mrs. Sharp. Isn’t that enough?!”
So, it was true.
It was Geoffrey who called her.
By the time we arrived at his company, my mother stormed out of the car and practical dragged me with her.
He was still in a meeting.
But that didn’t stop her.
She marched straight to the conference room and knocked on the glass wall like a woma possessed.
The room was filled with people. Geoffrey, seated at the head of the table, looked up ar immediately saw me standing behind her.
He raised a hand, signaling the meeting to pause, then quickly came out.
“Jean, were you looking for me?” he asked, hurrying to my side.
I jerked my arm free from his grasp. “Did you ask my mother to find me?”
He looked away, his voice tight. “Yes, but I just wanted to-”
Before he could finish, my mother clutched his arm and jumped in.
“Geoffrey, I brought Jean to apologize. She’s not thinking straight. Please don’t be angry at her!”
Then she yanked me forward. “Hurry! Apologize to him. Tell him you won’t get a divorce!”
Tai Jun is a dreamer and storyteller who believes the sky is never the limit. He spends most of his time with his friend Lian, chasing new horizons and crafting tales that soar beyond boundaries.