Accidentally scrolled to a Reddit thread about regrets of youth. But didn't expect the first comment opened, was posted by my husband Julian Cole. He tagged his high school classmate Hailey's handle, attached two photos of them together back then: "Have a secret, sophomore year I liked you." Hailey's reply was upvoted to top: "Same year, I also liked you." Netizens were moved and matchmaking, hoping they pursue true love, don't leave regrets. That night Julian posted a photo of them in a cafe, caption: "Long time no see, always have to be brave once." Everyone excitedly blessed, I also liked it. By the way, booked tomorrow's Abortion appointment. Chapter 1 After appointment success, I opened that thread again. Confirmed Julian's first comment, was posted at midnight three days ago. That time I was blowing out twenty-six birthday candles, saying my wish: "Hope me and Julian love each other for life, never separate." Julian put down phone, don't know if heard clearly, casually responded: "Happy birthday, wish you get what you want." Actually before this, I dared not express my feelings so directly. Seven years ago, Julian's mother was critically ill, only wish was to see son start a family. But that time Julian was so poor he couldn't even pay off Student Loans, plus dying mom and alcoholic dad, others avoided him like plague. Just when his mother was about to die with regret, I, this college classmate jumped out: "I don't need anything, can marry you tomorrow." Julian didn't understand, I casually found a reason: "Just for your handsome face." After marriage, no house no car no wedding, only thing had, was two credits added by school. Others secretly scolded my brain kicked by donkey, I only touched the ring on ring finger smiling silly. After graduation Julian's startup was difficult, every night after social events, stood on shabby balcony of rental apartment smoking a cigarette. Back view melancholy lonely. I walked over, through smoke looking at his tough side face, let tone sound relaxed: "Dinner ready, today King Crab on sale, I bought two legs, very fat." He blew a smoke ring, deep voice said: "Leslie, is it worth it with someone like me?" "Worth it." I answered without hesitation. He turned head deeply looked at me, "If you regret want divorce, just tell me, I won't force stay, give you freedom anytime." "But also rest assured, in marriage, I will fulfill husband duty well, absolutely won't have mistress." Julian's words drifted into my ears with evening wind. "This marriage of ours, led by you." Thoughts pulled back, in downtown luxury villa, I looked at whole plate of King Crab before table, couldn't help sighing. Just finished food steaming hot, person waiting probably still in gentle land, I took off apron eating alone. "Mr. Cole", downstairs several maids' voices rang simultaneously. Not a while, Julian walked up. He arm resting suit jacket, white shirt showed broad back narrow waist figure more. Beautiful face hung shallow smile, seemed mood very good. He walked to table, put down a small piece of cake. "Eat some sweets, mom mood good, baby in belly also happy." Last month after confirming pregnancy, between me and Julian, added few points sweetness never had before. He would actively say want eat food I make, would bring me delicious food after work, would stick ear on my belly, listen to baby sound... Before this, except in bed, he treated me always polite distant. I thought we finally about to start dating, so that birthday day, said wish of never separate with him. Didn't expect, he still didn't forget Hailey. I fixedly looked at cake. Recognized at glance, bought from that cafe he reunited with Hailey. On it still had nuts I'm allergic to. Throat somewhat difficult, I softly asked: "Do you have anything to say?" Say it openly, say you can't forget first love, say you really want be with her. This way you still count as brave, not sneakily stepping on two boats. I also won't pester, we frankly separate. "No, I go shower first." My heart sank. Julian turned to leave, I reached out pulled his suit jacket resting on arm, wanted stop him. "Why not..." Next second, glass jar of Origami Stars hidden in jacket fell out. Clang sound, glass splashed. Red paper stars fell all over floor. Chapter 2 Maid let out a cry. Julian turned head hard voice questioned: "Pull me for what? Want die?" His brows tight frowned, this is first time I saw steady him so furious. I stunned at once. Maid hurried forward, wanted help pick up. Shouted back: "Get out, all fucking not allowed touch." Julian disregarded image squatting on floor, carefully picking paper stars look, like picking up rare treasure. This paper stars, is reunion gift Hailey brought him. In their cafe photo, can find trace. Splashed glass cut my foot, slowly flowing blood trace. Blood dripped on tile, didn't stir half ripple in Julian's heart. Finally, he held paper stars in palm, lightly glanced me once, walked straight downstairs. No one sentence explanation. "Let's divorce." I softly shouted. His steps paused half second, don't know if heard clearly, continued walk down. Night, I lay alone on bed, staring at white ceiling. Julian in next door study, one by one counting paper stars if missing, if still 520. Man vigorous and resolute in business, this moment like a boy first awakening of love. This gift, carried his responded love. Actually, his secret crush was not unknown to anyone. I clearer than anyone, sophomore year, how much Julian liked Hailey. Pillow wet by tears, made dream also become humid. In dream, I returned to that sour youth... Summer vacation before high school start, I wearing heavy mascot suit, distributing flyers under 100 degrees sun. Group of kids surrounded me punching kicking, sweat mixed helpless tears flowing down. "Dead kids, not allowed bully people!" Boy took stick chased them away, patted dust on my body, also helped pick up scattered flyers. "Are you okay? Little Bear." "Don't fear, I accompany you finish, they dare not come again." I followed gentle voice look up, through mascot suit small hole, sight from mole on his nose tip to a pair beautiful eyes. This is first time I saw Julian, also my first time moved heart. High school I was in class next to Julian, always subconsciously looking for his figure. But slowly, I found his gaze often stopped on his deskmate Hailey. That bright smiling girl, everyone said she was Prom Queen little sun. Julian attracted by her, human nature. And I wearing thick black frame glasses, grades ordinary looks ordinary, completely transparent person, not cared is also normal. I only hate myself not beautiful enough. Boy nature Julian, thought his love hidden hidden enough. But what I most familiar, is that silent like dare not look eyes same as him. I watched him such cold boy, sitting beside Hailey, face is shy embarrassment. Watched sports meeting he tried best run first place, secretly put medal into Hailey school bag. Watched him stuff umbrella into Hailey drawer, self rained heavy rain home. Whole high school my only intersection with Julian, was on graduation day, he knocked my shoulder. "Classmate, can help us take a photo?" So I put away camera borrowed want take photo with him, pressed freeze button for him and Hailey. Hailey eyes round, gentle smiling. Julian side head look her, eyes is unspoken love. These two photos, now appear in Julian confession comment section. Chapter 3 Julian didn't return to bedroom all night. Before no matter how polite distant he treated me, never slept separate room with me. Morning, I pushed open guest room door, Julian already got up, standing before window slowly tying shirt cuff buttons. "Comments in your post, I saw." I straight to point, voice extremely light. He didn't have panic of being discovered, action of tying buttons still calm, "So this is reason you propose divorce?" "This reason not enough?" "Enough." He said again: "But no need." Julian walked closer to me, handed tie over, meaning couldn't be more obvious. Every morning tying tie for him, is rare intimate ritual between us. I also very enjoyed this moment sweetness. But now, I didn't take, only silent. He also didn't angry, calm open mouth: "Thought about after divorce, what your life will be?" "No villa, no dozen maids serve, those fawning people outside, also won't give you good face again, can you still accept such days?" He used material and power remind me, let me recognize reality. But person really can't accept losing everything in front, actually is himself. He thought I same as him, but I married penniless him back then, wanted, only Julian this person. "Leslie, people all like this, heart all have unforgettable first love." "But you rest assured, me and her, also just dating." "I won't let her trouble to you, won't make illegitimate child, more won't affect your Mrs. Cole position." Julian deeply looked at me. Back then on balcony when he said "absolutely won't have mistress" promise, tone also this certain. I naturally not believe, only inexplicably want laugh. He touched my belly, "Your only task now, is rest assured raise fetus." I remembered abortion surgery booked yesterday, just wanted open mouth. His phone rang, Hailey voice faintly came from other end: "All blame you, boiled phone porridge with me all night, I have dark circles now." "Later date, I not beautiful anymore, what to do ah." Julian hooked mouth corner laugh, "Silly, in my heart, you look good anyway." He pulled away me standing at door, walked out while chatting. Turns out he didn't return bedroom sleep last night, was saying love words with Hailey. After Julian went out, I drove alone to hospital. From lying on operating table to down, less than fifteen minutes. Found lawyer simply drafted a divorce agreement, property I only asked for a small apartment. I just want pull out ASAP, don't want tangle with Julian too long. Holding agreement walking on street, after handling things, dusk already sprinkled city. Called Julian few calls, all mechanical busy tone. Forgot, he said won't answer my call during work time. Self-made Julian, fight for seconds on work, afraid slow a bit eliminated by society. After phone hung up, big data pushed me nearby amusement park live stream. In lens, wearing cartoon headband Julian and Hailey, sitting on pirate ship ten fingers interlocked. Happiness feeling through screen choked my neck, let my breathing stop. I mentioned request go amusement park together many times before, wanted sit carousel Ferris wheel with him, but he always said busy, said many social events, said that place too noisy too childish. But now him in phone, laughed so wantonly. Turns out he such busy person, also can spare time date. Turns out not didn't want go, but person want go with isn't me. Heart calmly numb, after back home, phone rang. Hailey voice pressed low came: "Old classmate, long time no see." "Speaking of which, back then I should let them beat you to death at North Gate, save you now eyesore." Chapter 4 Few people believe, Hailey who is sunny and kind in their eyes, would grab hair drag people into alley beat. Graduation day, Julian asked her meet at school gate. Julian waited at West Gate, I saw Hailey chatting with friends at North Gate. "That poor boy really wants ask me out, funny coming." "But say one thing say one thing, he looks also school grass level, you not count too loss, try first ba." "Roll ah, face can eat as rice? Usually bored play play okay, really dating will dye me poor sour smell too, disgusting." My clenched fist waved to Hailey face, trembling voice cursed: "You guys then fucking disgusting!" Finally, I was dragged into alley by them, tore off clothes. Forced kneel in front of them, turn slapping my face. After they left, I limped to West Gate, wanted tell Julian don't wait. But saw him nervously rehearsing confession, I dared not step forward. Leaned on other side corner wall, secretly substitute female lead, fantasy happiness. "Leslie, Julian just bought me ring worth million, said to you is kinship is responsibility, person loved always me. That stall goods on your hand still embarrassed wear?" Turns out my seven years youth, only exchanged his sentence "kinship only". I looked down, at somewhat worn plain band on ring finger. Back then Julian spent 200 dollars bought, said later have money then change diamond ring for me. Promise in his mouth, always so light and fragile. "Hailey, you said right." I took off ring threw into trash can, "So you better help me persuade him, briskly sign, I waiting him come find me divorce." "Also, those few slaps back then I didn't forget, next time meet I will count return to you." "You dare? Do you know..." Her voice sharp rang, I lazy listen again, directly hung up phone. Then sent call record, amusement park live screenshot and thread comments etc cheating evidence together to lawyer, request redraft a divorce agreement. I want take back everything I should take back, even if lengthen time tangling with Julian. But out of my expectation is, Julian who didn't return all night, next day I haven't found him, he actively contacted me. Followed address he sent arrived private room. Once open door, a glass red wine splashed over face on. Sticky wine flowed from face into clothes, Hailey aggrieved complain, open mouth just come: "Back then was you, clearly knew Julian waited me at West Gate, but told me North Gate." "Harmed us missed so many years." "You love him but can't get, then intervene break us up, also take advantage emptiness let him marry you, you really so cruel heart!" She tears and voice together, painful extreme. I looked at Julian sitting aside, staring at me indifferently, faintly suppressing anger, tone cold hard like iron: "Hailey already told me truth, you have anything want say?" I light sneered. Want say no, want do thing actually have one. Next second, I fiercely grabbed Hailey carefully styled hair, forcefully pulling, force her look up at me. "Count well." Slap! One slap. Slap! Two slaps. Slap! ... More fan more lost reason, all grievance, anger, insult of being gang slapped that year and pain of losing child, at this moment completely exploded. Chapter 5 "Leslie, you crazy!?" Julian stood up fiercely, shocked rushed. I smoothly also waved a slap over. Julian dead grabbed my wrist, roughly threw me away. Hailey immediately crying hid into his arms. "Julian, my face so painful..." He touched her red swollen face, eyes full of heartache, turn to me again, was full eyes rage and disgust. I didn't explain, only took out prepared divorce agreement from bag put on table, "Sign." He picked up agreement flipped few pages, frowned. Before he questioned, I spoke first: "These all clauses I drafted after consulting lawyer, if you have doubt, I don't mind taking your cheating evidence go court sue." Julian's company is at key period of IPO. Once sue, court will prioritize freeze joint property, including his company. Julian fierce pinched my jaw, "Good, I can sign. Then debt you hit people I also calculate well with you." "What you want do?" Julian didn't answer, instead called restaurant manager, whispered in his ear. Immediately, manager forcibly tied my hands tight, then took out hood put on my head. Julian indifferent spoke: "All waiters in shop, line up come in, to this woman, punch one punch one thousand dollars, settle on spot." Finally, he added: "Attention, can't touch belly." Turns out hood is for not let people recognize, leave handle of domestic violence. I screamed curse: "Julian Cole, you fucking bastard!" Words fell, my mouth blocked, heavy fists fell on body, back, legs... "Julian, my face ruined then ruined, you spare sister ba." Hailey嬌声 (coquettish voice) persuade, Julian ruthless said: "So many years, I then saw her clear, this all she asked for." "You watch just fine, don't dirty your hands." In endless beating and humiliation, I through hood small hole, looking Julian cold hard face. Trance, seemed saw that summer many years ago. That teenager stood out, drove away bad people for me, and man commanding others violence me now, actually is same person. Tears silently slid, I closed eyes, completely lost consciousness. Wake up again, was in cold back alley. Whole body severe pain, bones like fell apart, signed divorce agreement thrown in my arms. Passersby quickened steps, disdained look me. I held back urge to cry, determined won't shed a drop tear for Julian again. Brain only one thought: I miss grandma, I want go home. Morning plane landed, hometown sun just bright, swept some haze on body for me. Passengers landed together beside, suddenly all looking phone whispering something. Eyes time to time glance at me. I opened phone, a video about Julian and Hailey rushed on trending. Seeing video content, my heart tight, missed half beat.
? Continue the story here ?? ? Download the "MotoNovel" app ? search for "390091", and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel