On the day my husband retired, he immediately filed for divorce. In court, his gaze quickly swept over my disabled left leg, saying: "For forty years, I've had enough of facing your leg full of scars every day." "Our marriage was transactional. Marrying you for this job was too heavy a price, crushing me so I could never stand up." "Meredith, I don't have a second forty years to waste, please let me go." But he forgot, back then it was me who crippled a leg to exchange for his Union Job and benefits, which led to his glorious retirement today. I was smashed cold by the cruel reality, suppressed the bloody taste in my throat, only said one sentence. "Divorce is fine, you leave with nothing." But in the assets publicized by the judge, there was only a measly less than ten thousand dollars. Turns out, for over twenty years, the family assets had long been donated by Jerry to his High School Sweetheart's son without return. My eyes went black, fell heavily. In the last sight, Jerry didn't look at me once, red-eyed running towards Scarlett in the gallery. Opening eyes again, I returned to the day I used my leg injury to exchange for Jerry's job. This time, I unhesitatingly chose the huge Worker's Comp Settlement, went far to New York to treat my leg. Jerry, I let you fend for yourself. ... Chapter 1 In the Finance Office. I sat blankly on the chair, chest still remaining the suffocating despair from previous life. Finance Susan sighed, still constantly persuading me. "Meredith, you really want to give up the settlement, just want a family member spot for Jerry?" "I can't say much about your decision, just some things, holding in hand is your own." "Once the Settlement Confirmation is handed up, there is no chance to regret." I stared fixedly at that Offer Letter, clearly written on it: I, Meredith, voluntarily give up the job at the Auto Plant and all compensation. Only request the factory to solve lover Jerry's job and insurance. Job, insurance, everything he couldn't ask for, lightly placed in front of me. My mind flashed back to Jerry's deep affection kneeling in front of me in previous life. He said: "Meredith, you just lost a leg, but I will use my whole life to take care of you, I swear." "Beg you give me a chance to stay in the city work, so we can be together forever." That time I never thought, the lifetime he promised, was like a joke. Just retired, he unhesitatingly drafted the complaint, divorcing me. Before going to court, Jerry said word by word coldly. "Meredith, I hate myself for giving up dignity for the so-called job and benefits back then, violating my heart to marry you, missed out with my beloved." "I endured you for forty years, the remaining time, I don't want to waste anymore." In my mind, masochistically constantly replaying the scene of Jerry running towards Scarlett in relief. Tears caught off guard smashed down. Drop by drop fell on the injured leg, severe pain made me recover from daze. Raised hand wiped tears on face, took the Settlement Confirmation handed by Susan. Then, unhesitatingly tore the confirmation into pieces. "Susan, you are right, I don't want the family member spot, I want the settlement." "Also I want to apply for Medical Leave from the factory, go to New York, treat my leg injury." Coming out of the Finance Office, I saw Jerry standing outside the gate at a glance. And Scarlett hiding behind him. My eyes flashed thick mockery. Jerry, my leg disabled for half a life, will no longer be your stepping stone to return to the city. Don't know if you guys can still be as loving as previous life. Seeing me come out, Jerry's eyes flashed urgency, stepped forward few steps, lowered voice asked me. "Meredith, you signed right? Where is my Offer Letter?" I tightly gripped the crutch, difficultly retreated half a step, gaze fell on Scarlett's face behind Jerry. Coldly said: "What did you bring her here for?" Scarlett mockingly swept me a glance, gaze finally fell on my left leg unable to stand, hooked lip corner. Voice spoken however timid and gentle: "Sister Meredith, heard your leg can't be cured, can only use crutch for a lifetime?" "Sigh, I was just worried you sad, wanted to come comfort you that's all." "If I made you unhappy, I go now." Jerry frowned, protectively blocked in front of Scarlett. Suppressed impatience in eyes, voice added few points of coldness. "Don't make it difficult for Scarlett." "Rest assured, as long as job and insurance are solved, I will marry you, even if you use crutch for a lifetime, I don't mind." I pulled lip corner. These two, determined I would give up the settlement, then because no money to treat, become a cripple forever unable to walk normally. But in previous life, just one year after marriage, Jerry used busy work as excuse moved to worker dormitory, separated with me. I even despicably wanted to have a child to keep his heart. But Jerry simply didn't touch me. Until the day Scarlett got married, he drank drunk, stumbled back home. He disgustedly smashed the wine bottle on my twisted ugly leg, voice cold and vicious. "Do you know how others talk about me behind back? They look down on me, say I rely on a cripple to live!" "But are you a woman? You look like a monster!" "Meredith, I look at you one more glance, all feel disgusting." Really disgusting. I forcefully closed eyes, suppressed the sourness surging from bottom of heart. Look at him again, eyes no longer a trace of past affection. Voice only left undisguised mockery, word by word clearly said: "Jerry, you just want the Offer Letter so much." "Exactly want marry me, or want the Auto Plant's union job and benefits?" Jerry's face swish became very ugly. He stared at me in disbelief, emotions surging in eyes, embarrassment, anger, also resentment. After all couple once, I know too well where to stab the knife most painful. Dignity, reputation Jerry cared about, at this moment trampled by me under feet, wantonly humiliated. He dead pursed lips, just about to speak. Scarlett caught off guard rushed out, like crazy bumped towards me. Injured leg couldn't support, I fell on the ground at once. Injured left leg cracked, seeping blood dyed pant leg red, pain made my face pale. Scarlett face full of tears pointing at me, voice shaking unlike shape: "Meredith, based on what you humiliate Jerry so much!" "Could it be in your eyes, we people returned from countryside have no dignity, have to accept your cold mockery hot satire?" "He already promised to marry you, what exactly do you still want?" Scarlett while crying, while blocking in front of Jerry, a look of willing to give up everything for him. I fell on ground embarrassed, struggled long time, how also couldn't get up. That voided Offer Letter in pocket, fell on ground. Jerry eyes brightened, bent waist picked up the Offer Letter on ground. Short few lines, he carefully read for long time, fingertips even unconsciously trembling. Gaze, finally fell on me. "Tomorrow, I will wait for you at City Hall..." And Scarlett pretended to want to help me up, but toe tip heavily stepped on my injured leg. She leaned close to me, in eyes, was resentment like venomous snake. Anger and severe pain made my whole body uncontrollably tremble, only wanted to use all strength throw off Scarlett. Just haven't touched her, Scarlett body swayed, whole person suddenly uncontrollably fell backward. She screamed, crying said to me: "Sister Meredith, I wrong, I shouldn't throw temper at you just now." "You hit me however doesn't matter, all my fault." "Jerry he hard to return from rural, I just too worried he can't get Offer Letter, worried you intentionally difficult him." Scarlett this fall, made Jerry instantly anxious face changed big. He quick eye quick hand scooped person back to arms, nervously up down checked, then angrily a grab my arm. Voice like squeezed out from lung ugly: "Meredith, what exactly are you making trouble for!" "Apologize to Scarlett!" I threw off his pull, acute emotion fluctuation made me even breathing rapid few points, voice also shaking. "Based on what I apologize?" Jerry half embracing Scarlett in arms, cold gaze inch by inch swept over my body. Sight collided, I showed no weakness meeting his gaze, red eye bottom, was surging hate. "Jerry, based on what?" His gaze shrank a bit, subconsciously wanted to reach hand help fallen me up. Just hand haven't touched me, Scarlett in arms low sobbed out sound. "Sister Meredith, you don't hurt Jerry like this okay?" "He hard to come back from countryside, ate so much bitter." "Count I beg you, help him, you lost only a leg, but without this chance, Jerry loses future life." Jerry then recovered spirit, looked down at Scarlett in arms, gaze gentle and complex. "Scarlett... thank you." How funny. Paid lifetime is me, crippled is me, he however because her light few sentences, full heart full eyes only can hold a Scarlett. I endured pain, mockingly asked back. "You use what identity require me? Scarlett, don't take yourself too seriously..." Voice not fall, Jerry light laughed once, high above interrupted my words. "Meredith, person don't take self too seriously, is you." "Now except me, who else will marry you a cripple without job?" Jerry finished, put away Offer Letter. Holding Scarlett's hand, didn't even look at me covered in injuries once, turned strode away. Scarlett tightly snuggling in his arms proudly bent lip corner to me. Until two people's back disappeared in sight, I then supported wall difficultly climbed up from ground. Bit by bit wiped tears on face, coldly took back sight. Jerry, you really think holding a voided Offer Letter, can get everything you want? Dreaming. Chapter 2 Next day, I finished factory's Medical Leave and settlement procedures, then met Jerry again. He iron green face, motionless stood at factory gate, gaze coldly following my figure. Eye bottom rolling surging anger. Soon, Scarlett rushed to my front, raised hand fiercely want hit me a slap. Scarlett hysterical roared at me. "Meredith, why you want ruin my reputation! Why you want rumor I married and had kids in countryside!" "Why don't you go die!" I no defense, rawly took her a slap. Brain boom a sound exploded, raised hand think not think just want fan towards Scarlett. Just haven't touched her, arm was forcefully grabbed by Jerry. He confined me in place, deep voice warned. "Meredith, you dare touch Scarlett try!" Scarlett stopped crying, hid in Jerry's arms, silently smiled provocatively at me. Suppressed long time anger burst out at once, I threw off Jerry's hand, eyes was despair hate wishing tear two people to pieces. During dispute, Jerry threw me to ground, voice full of anger. Things in box heavily smashed on ground. "Enough!" "Meredith, you spread rumors ruined Scarlett's reputation, caused her lose hard got job." "As compensation, I won't marry you, I will marry Scarlett, this is you owe her!" I dead bit lip, mouth filled with a layer of rust taste. So, cheating me sign Settlement Confirmation, get Offer Letter, bully me no one to rely, open and aboveboard break engagement marry Scarlett, is his Jerry's good calculation? Step by step, harm me waste previous life, despair die miserably. Lucky, this time, won't. I swallowed blood taste in throat, difficultly climbed up from ground, picked up box walked out. Jerry raised hand wanted stop me, but blocked back by Scarlett calmly. "Jerry, today go factory handle entry first important." "Sister Meredith she just throw temper gamble with you, wait a period she think through then fine." Behind, suddenly came Jerry deep voice. "Meredith, you admit mistake to Scarlett, later, I will look at acquainted once affection help you a hand." "Otherwise, you don't regret." I mockingly pulled lip corner, head not back left. Jerry gaze deep stared at my back, eye bottom, emotion obscure nameless. In Plant Manager office, Jerry carefully took out that Offer Letter, voice carried few points anxiety, Scarlett also stood behind him face full expectation, as if already saw future good days in city. "Manager, you look, which workshop I enter?" Manager swept a glance at that thin Offer Letter, light laughed once, laughter meaning unknown. Jerry frowned, suppressed temper, low voice said: "I am Meredith comrade family member, she injured for work, crippled a leg for factory, this is factory give my..." Compensation two words rawly stuck in throat. Jerry's voice stopped abruptly when seeing that signed and stamped Settlement Confirmation thrown in front of him by Manager. His face stiff, a grab Settlement Confirmation, eye bottom full disbelief, chest violently heaving. Voice hoarse unlike shape. "Give up family member job compensation, receive $200,000 settlement?" "Impossible, Manager, impossible, Meredith she promised me!" "She promised me! I don't believe, this must be factory forged, I don't believe!" Manager looked at Jerry in front, face gradually cold down. "Hehe, factory not as to for a job position forge signature." "Since you say Meredith gave compensation to you, then where is she?" "Also, you have what evidence prove you are Meredith's family member, according to my knowledge, Little Meredith worked diligently in factory many years, heart on production line, till now not married!" Jerry fiercely fell sitting on ground. Yes, he has no evidence. Even just before entering door, he personally said, want marry Scarlett words. He even, high above threatened let her don't regret... Jerry finally reacted, these days, he immersed in excitement of can return city, get job, ignored how many details. Turns out from start to end person master leading power, not him Jerry. Now, Meredith who once believed him, loved him directly flipped table not play. His calculation, his greed of want both, became a joke. Jerry chaotic brain at this moment sober up, hand dead clutching that Settlement Confirmation, heart, finally uncontrollably panicked. Next second, Jerry crazy like rushed out of Manager office. Ignore behind Scarlett urgent shout, stumble rush towards station. "Meredith, you promised me, you promised will give me job, you absolutely can't abandon me." "I not allow, I absolutely not allow!" And I, already sat on train to New York, carrying full heart expectation, stepping towards my new life. Sight fell on faintly aching leg, heart, floated traces anxiety and fear. But soon, cured by scenery along way again. Even if can't cure this leg, at least, I worked hard for myself. Jerry that puddle of mud, no longer can trap me. Chapter 3 Five days later, train arrived New York. I used crutch carefully avoided crowd walk out train station, looking at bustling crowd in front, eye rims suddenly wet. Previous life, Jerry's coldness, neglect, trapped me in family building. Day after day inferiority and pain tortured me unlike shape, even because too care others eyes, decades not dare go downstairs. Until receive Jerry's divorce complaint, I first time walked out home door. Trapping me not only disabled leg, also my own heart. I deeply breathed a mouthful fresh air, eye bottom, rose hope light. Next day, I settled down, early went to hospital. Took X-ray did a series checks after, doctor wearing white coat voice deep told me. "Comminuted fracture, if treat earlier, would suffer less." "But now..." Clearly long prepared for worst, but hearing doctor words, my tears still uncontrollably smashed down. So even restart a life, some destined things, still no way change? Young doctor light coughed once, explained: "Now treat, need to re-break already grew crooked misplaced leg bone re-connect, surgery process will be very painful." "Treatment time will also be relatively long." I fiercely raised head, tear light in eyes twinkling into hope stars. Reacted after, busy not fall express: "I not afraid pain doctor, as long as can cure my leg, how pain I not afraid." "Time longer a bit, also no matter." Doctor behind desk smiled, word by word solemnly said to me: "Believe me, definitely will let your every step later, walk steady steady." Heart spread a layer soreness. My sight fell on person chest in front, there, pinned a narrow name tag. Dr. Hayes. Full five months, I entered surgery room five times, then transferred to Rehab. After last surgery ended, Dr. Hayes stood by surgery table, taking advantage anesthesia effect time, suddenly asked me. "Leg good after, what you want do?" I blankly looked at surgery light overhead, mind flashed many thoughts. Haven't time open mouth, then lost all consciousness. Last sentence heard in ear, was a vague sigh. "Stay in New York, okay?" Wake again, I already transferred to Rehab, started long rehab training. Time and time fall again time and time stand up, even body fell blue purple, I never say bitter, also not shout pain. Bite teeth, from start need hold railing slow move, to can walk one two steps. Like child just learned walk, every can forward step a step, can let me excited tear fall. Until three months later, I finally could not use any external force, walked one circle after another. When I steady walked down stairs, under steps, Dr. Hayes stood there. Hands in pocket, eyes with smile looking at me, soft voice said: "I said, believe me, I can let your every step later walk steady steady." "Look, we all did it, isn't it?" I stood on steps, heavy nodded. "Yes." He smiled, always calm eyes, suddenly floated few points anxiety. "Meredith, then do you want walk towards me?" My brain boom a sound exploded. Whole person hand foot no place stand in place. Beside is come come go go people, they time and time walk pass my side, countless voices ring in my ear. "A cripple, just don't come out affect others okay." "Meredith, look your current appearance, really disgusting." "Don't lose face for me!" "..." But now have a person, he stand there, soft voice ask me "want walk towards him." I stiff stand, sight blankly condense on that person face under steps. Heart bottom has a seed, break earth, sprout, then in Dr. Hayes eyes, grew into towering tree. He tentative extended hand. I lift foot, step by step, steady walked over. I hear my own voice: "Okay." Factory approved me three years leave. Now, my leg already cured, I need go back arrange things haven't handled well. Before leave New York, Dr. Hayes sent me on train. His gaze fell on my face, sighed, said: "Come back write me letter advance, I come pick you." "Also your leg, don't long time stand and walk, want more rest." "Right, don't forget go get single status certificate." Chattering all way say non-stop. My heart surged a stream warmth, until sat on train, he stood on platform very long, then slowly turned leave. Just short three years, my state of mind already completely different from when uneasy went far to New York. That time had unease to future, had confusion to own leg injury. Until train arrived station walk out platform, I looked at familiar street view in front, then had reality feeling of self finally back again. Previous life current life, like a dream. I fast walked towards Auto Plant. Just I didn't expect, I would meet Jerry in factory. Heart flashed a wipe disgust, face expression also instant cold down. Just three years not see, he haggard as if changed a person. Cautious, gaze shrink, standing in corner of guard room, register in out visit personnel. Once high above Engineer Jerry, once enter production line became core Jerry, now, became Auto Plant guard. I secretly light laugh once. Maybe, for love not want future, this is his choice? After all in his eyes, Scarlett is white moonlight he hang one life can't put down ah. Seeing me, Jerry had a moment stun, pen in hand clatter a sound smashed on table. Jerry gaze condense on my face, long time, then somewhat choke open mouth said: "Meredith?" "You, you these years went where? You..." His sight fell on my leg. No crutch, wheelchair, also not use any external force, I just steady stood there. Jerry tongue tip that sentence you live good or not rawly stuck in throat. Just at this time, behind suddenly came a familiar voice. "Meredith? You still come back do what!" "You harm us harm still not enough miserable right!" "Why you not go die! Are you come back rob Jerry with me?" "I tell you, you dream!" I turn head, saw Scarlett face full twisted hate. All familiar people. Just pity ah, she difference with my memory too big, if meet on road, I not necessarily recognize. Scarlett once start was arranged by Jerry in broadcast station, once rated as factory flower person. Just now, that gentle elegant temperament on her body disappeared without trace, replaced by, is violent and vulgar. See I turn head look her, Scarlett eye bottom burst out acute hate, she fierce pounced towards me, raised hand fierce want fan towards me. "Shameless bitch!" I haven't moved. Jerry then rapid rushed over, a grab her arm, pushed person fierce back a push. Then caught off guard raised big hand, a slap fanned on Scarlett face. "Enough!" "Scarlett you this shrew, don't lose face for me okay!" I raised eyebrow. Sight fell on Jerry limp leg, long half section pant leg drag on ground. His leg, when crippled? Detect my sight, Jerry fierce shrank a bit, whole person appear awkward and overwhelmed. He almost choking low voice beg: "Don't look me, Meredith, beg you, don't use that kind gaze look me." I smiled. "Jerry, how you make yourself into this look ah?" "Really, too relieve anger ah." Jerry's face, instant pale down. He motionless stood in place, despair closed eyes, ask me. "You still hate me right? Hate I back then allow Scarlett slander, bully you right?" "Meredith, these years separate with you, I every night every night regret. I clearly love is you ah." "Regret myself blind eyes, regret myself didn't firmly stand by your side." "If back then I didn't be deceived, bewitched by Scarlett, today we is it will be different?" I retreat few steps, use look trash gaze look towards him. "Don't disgusting people." "Regret? Hehe, you just regret didn't get benefit then a kick me away, regret didn't calculate me to nothing that's all." "You never love who, you love, only selfish self." Finish, I unhesitatingly walked into Auto Plant, walk towards Manager office. Behind came Scarlett hysterical crying shout sound, smash sound, and Jerry heavy fall on ground emit muffled sound. Steps pause, I slightly turn head look towards him. Jerry fell on ground, allow Scarlett tear splash on his body. Several times want climb up but because one leg inconvenient, embarrassed time and time fall on ground. Wind water turn turn, this time embarrassed person, became him. See I turn head, Jerry not move, not struggle. Eye bottom rise crushed light, look towards me. Press in my heart bottom that disperse not go depression, suddenly all dispersed. I didn't pause, resolutely leave. That wipe light in Jerry eyes, completely annihilate. Replace come, is strong hate.
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