Chapter 3
Before my mom got sick, I really thought I had it all.
When Edward and I dated back in college, he never let on about his real identity. To me, he was just a regular guy. We were just two college kids, dreaming about a future that belonged only to us.
Unfortunately, my mom ended up finding out that my dad was cheating. She got so furious that she had a brain hemorrhage and ended up in a vegetative state. Keeping her alive cost a fortune.
When it came to signing off on surgery in a hospital, the spouse had the legal priority, so my dad was the one at the top of the list.
He wouldn't pay a dime. Instead, he forced me to break up with Edward.
He said if I didn't marry someone rich, he'd sign papers to give up on treating my mom.
I gave in.
Right after Edward made me a birthday cake, I smashed it into pieces, and to keep him from pestering me, I spat out the most vicious words I'd ever uttered in my life.
We broke up, and I started going on blind dates.
Every rich guy I met was either greasy or older than my dad.
Edward witnessed the pathetic side I was in. Sneering, he yanked me over to a Lamborghini and said, "Claire, isn't money all that you're after? Well, I've got more money than you could ever spend."
He hit the gas and took me for a wild ride, careening so fast that he crashed since he couldn't hit the brakes in time. I wound up carrying him over 20 miles of twisting mountain roads, and finally collapsed right at the hospital's entrance.
When I woke up, my dad found out Edward was the real deal—the scion of a wealthy family.
He found an excuse to invite Edward out, drugged both of us, and then brought in reporters to turn the whole thing into a scandal. In the end, he backed Edward into a corner and forced him to marry me.
I guessed it was only fair that Edward hated me all these years.
After all, I dumped him for money, and then ended up clinging to him again.
So I no longer blame him. I'd let it all go.
*****
Not long after, someone close to Edward sent me a photo.
In the picture was a girl crinkling her eyes in a smile as she lay in Edward's embrace. Her smiling face resembled my younger self a lot.
Edward treated her differently.
He always kept a parade of women around him. Every year, he'd bring one to our wedding anniversary, but he was just using them to spite me.
But this girl was different. He never disrespected her—if anything, he hung out with her like they were friends. They took selfies as a couple, went out to eat, and watched movies together.
It reminded me of our dating life back in college—a romance that was so ordinary, yet so sweet.
I simply replied: [Congrats.]
If my leaving could finally let Edward find his own happiness, then getting divorced would be the best thing for both of us.
I applied to study abroad, and while I was still in the country, I picked up some extra cash helping out at my best friend's bar.
To my surprise, I bumped into that girl.
One of Edward's friends tugged the girl over, saying, "Hey, this is Edward's wife. Do you think you two look a little bit alike?"
The girl pouted in displeasure, rolled her eyes at me, and walked straight over. "I'm Olivia Reed. You're Claire, right?" she asked.
Even though she was giving me a sweet smile, there was nothing genuine in it—her eyes stayed cold.
"I don't get it—why would Edward pick an old woman like you? People say I look like you, but no way. I'm not old, and I'm sure as hell not ugly. Just do everyone a favor and get divorced already," she grumbled.
I nodded, unfazed. "Well then, go and persuade him to divorce me and marry you."
As if she was stung by my words, her expression soured in an instant. "Only those who are unloved are the real side chicks. So what if you're still Mrs. Foster? You're the unwanted person around here!"
Just as I was about to say something, Olivia looked past me and suddenly yanked my arm hard before dropping to the floor like she was helpless.
The glass in her hand shattered, causing her hand to be badly cut. Blood spilled everywhere.
"Who the hell hurt her?" Edward suddenly came running from afar and scooped Olivia up into his arms. He then looked at me with a dark expression.
I remarked, "Guess it was me."
Crying, Olivia glared at me and yelled, "I know I deserve this for falling in love with the wrong guy. Claire was right—I'm a side chick... It's all my fault. This has nothing to do with Claire."
"Claire, you've gone too far," Edward snapped, his eyes blazing with anger. "You want a divorce, yet you hurt and insulted my friend?"
With a face full of concern for Olivia, he carried her away, but not before uttering to me coldly, "Tomorrow's the deadline for your mom's hospital bills.
"If you don't want her thrown out onto the street, you'd better lower that proud head of yours, apologize to Olivia sincerely, and beg me for forgiveness."
As I watched him walk away, I smiled.
All of a sudden, I couldn't help but wonder what kind of face he'd make when he realized I'd not be apologizing to Olivia.