Chapter 11
He said it so calmly–I could tell he had reached the end of his patience.
I simply nodded. “My stomach’s still a bit uncomfortable. I’ll try to get some rest.”
He eyed me with suspicion, then quietly turned up the heater in the car.
But I had already made up my mind. There was no point arguing anymore.
No point clinging to what was already broken.
That night, after putting Matthew to bed, I went to sleep early.
The next morning, Geoffrey kissed my forehead before leaving and told me to wait for him for dinner.
Just like that–after everything–he could act as if nothing had happened.
After he left, I quietly placed the divorce agreement l’had prepared on his office desk.
Then I went to Matthew’s kindergarten.
He was thrilled to see me. Even more so when I said I’d take him out for a children’s–themed
lunch.
When I dropped him off afterward, I squatted down and hugged him tightly–longer than usual.
I watched him run inside, disappearing into his classroom.
And I stood there at the gate for a long, long time.
When I finally calmed myself, I went straight to the airport.
Just before boarding, I removed my SIM card and tossed it into the trash.
I had made up my mind.
This time, I wouldn’t compromise.
All my life, I’d put others first–my child, my mother, my brother.
Everything I did was for them.
But no matter how much I gave, my mother never said a kind word.
And I forgave Geoffrey again and again, even when he kept betraying me.
Now, I wanted to live for myself.
In a new city, I started from the bottom.
The job was tiring, but at least the time belonged to me.
In three years, I worked my way up–twice promoted–and finally became a team lead.
And then, I met Geoffrey again.
It was during a business negotiation.
I’ll admit–I was nervous.
But once I delivered the proposal and finished the pitch, he raised his hand and applauded.
Our eyes met. He smiled faintly, lips curled.
I couldn’t read him.
I thought he’d be angry. But he wasn’t. At least, he didn’t show it.
When the meeting ended, he stopped me.
Our colleagues, sensing the tension, politely gave us space.
I’d heard he had been promoted again, and now worked at the company’s headquarters.
“Nothing you want to say to me?” he asked.
I didn’t respond.
“You presented well,” he added after a pause. Then, with a soft scoff, “Looks like you’re really doing better without me.”
I looked up. “Is Matthew okay?”
His expression shifted. “You still remember we have a son? Then why didn’t you miss him wher you left?”
stayed silent.
He stepped closer. “He’s doing fine. But if you don’t come back… he’ll forget you.”
The tears fell before I could stop them.
He froze, then fumbled to wipe my face–frantic, like the Geoffrey from our college days.
‘Don’t cry, Jean… I was just teasing. Really. Don’t cry, okay?”
‘Matthew’s doing great. You don’t have to worry about him being with me.”
gathered myself and looked at him in the eye. “Then let’s finalize the divorce. If you agree, let him come live with me.”
He shook his head.
For a moment, he just stood there, silent. Then he lit a cigarette.
He rarely smoked around me. He knew I hated it.
Even when we had Matthew, he tried to quit–for the family, for the child he once dreamed of having with me.
waited while he smoked in silence.
Finally, he said, “Okay. I’ll sign. But Matthew stays with me.”
didn’t answer right away. I knew I’d lose the custody battle anyway–I had no job back then, nc
ncome.
Now I did, but I wasn’t going to tear my son away from the only stability he had.
After a long pause, I nodded.
The day we processed the divorce papers, he told me something I didn’t expect.
“When you left,” he said quietly, “I really hated you.”
“But over time… the hatred faded.”
“All I had left was missing you.”
After it was finalized, I turned in my resignation and left the company.
I didn’t want any more ties to Geoffrey.
No more chances. No more wishful thinking.
From now on, I would live only for myself.
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.