Chapter 3
My friend told me that Baxter and Mandy were basically attached at the hip these days. A lot of people saw them together every day.
They showed up at romantic restaurants and couple-friendly movie theaters.
Some even said that they had spotted them lingering near the doors of those fancy hotels for couples.
My friend hesitated before asking me, "Aileen, what are you planning to do?"
"Or do you want us to go teach Mandy a lesson for you?"
She didn't say a word about Baxter.
All my friends knew that no matter how crazy things got, I was never going to walk away from him.
Not once did I ever think about leaving him.
I said, "Don't bother."
My friend's voice got louder, frustration clear in her tone.
She said, "Aileen, seriously, have some dignity. Even if Baxter doesn't love his adopted sister, Mandy's intentions are so obvious that even a fool could see through them.
"Do you even know how harsh people are talking about you out there? They're all placing bets on when you'll finally stop being unable to open the door at your home. They're making fun of you behind your back."
Indeed, I felt that I had been nothing but a laughingstock for the past three years.
I said, "Honestly, I'm okay. I can get in now. I changed the locks."
My friend froze, not saying a word for a long time.
I just smiled.
I said, "I'm divorcing Baxter."
This time, her voice went soft.
She said, "Aileen, have you lost it? What are you even saying right now?
"If you told me you were just gonna give Baxter the cold shoulder for a few days, I'd believe that. But divorce? Come on, I don't buy it. Can you really walk away from him?"
In the past, I really was head over heels for Baxter.
He kept blowing hot and cold, hurting me time and again because of his sister.
But not even all that could wipe out the crazy love I had for him.
However, once the thought of letting go crossed my mind that day, I just couldn't shake it off.
That feeling stuck with me, no matter what I did.
Seeing that I didn't say anything, my friend figured she'd guessed what was really on my mind.
She kept on trying to talk some sense into me.
She said, "It's okay to give Baxter a hard time sometimes, just so he remembers who he's supposed to care about. But Aileen, don't push it too far. You don't want to end up regretting it when it's already too late."
That day, my friend ran into Baxter taking Mandy out for a good time.
She complained to Baxter on my behalf.
She straight-up told them I was divorcing Baxter.
Baxter's hand froze for a moment as he was peeling grapes for Mandy.
Then he flashed a casual, almost mocking smile.
He said, "I've never done anything to hurt Aileen since we got married.
"If anything, she's been making Mandy's life miserable these past three years, and now she wants a divorce? She must be dreaming!"
The coldness coming off Baxter was impossible to miss.
Mandy kept her head down, but a flash of bitterness crossed her face.
That night, Baxter came home.
But he couldn't get in.
The passcode he used to have didn't work on the new lock I'd installed.
Stubborn as ever, Baxter kept banging on the door with his fist.
Soon enough, complaints started popping up in the residents' group chat.
With no other choice, I had to open the door.
Baxter reeked of booze, and he looked seriously pissed off.
The moment I opened the door, Baxter immediately pulled me into his arms.
He let out a long, helpless sigh.
He said, "Aileen, Mandy's my adopted sister. Why can't you just let it go with her? And now you're even talking about divorce like it's some kind of joke?
"If you leave me, who else would ever want you? Who else could ever treat you the way I do?"
The heavy reek of alcohol mixed with his usual cologne made me feel sick to my stomach.
I stared at Baxter after shoving him away.
I could barely stand to look at his face, which I used to love so much.
I said, "I'm not joking. I'm divorcing you."
Baxter stared at me for a long moment, then gave a quiet, almost self-deprecating laugh.
He said, "Aileen, I hardly ever humble myself like this for you. Are you really going to keep making a fuss?"
No matter what I said, Baxter just wouldn't believe I'd ever really leave him.
He was sure I'd never go through with it. I just didn't bother saying anything else.
As I was turning to head upstairs, the banging at the door started up, each thump louder than the last.
Baxter didn't pay any attention to the noise. He just kept staring at me, his face dark and stormy.
Mandy's whiny, pitiful voice echoed down the hallway.
She whimpered, "Baxter, why won't the door open? Why can't I get in? Is it because you don't want me anymore?"
Baxter, who'd been standing right there just a second ago, was gone in an instant.
When I glanced over, Mandy was already clinging onto him for dear life, arms and legs wrapped tight around him.
She was sobbing, looking all pitiful and helpless.
Baxter was trying to comfort her, but kept throwing me dirty looks.
He said, "Hey, don't cry. I am here, and I promise I'll never leave you."
Baxter was always at his softest whenever Mandy was around.
Back when I was crazy about him, it made sense that I would get jealous because of this.
Baxter called out to me again.
He held Mandy up with one hand under her hips, the other hand reaching out to me.
He said, "Give me the new passcode. From now on, Mandy's in charge around here."
After a pause, Baxter added, "This time, I can let you know the password, so you can't say I'm mistreating you."