Chapter 2
His voice was choked with emotion, his eyes begging me desperately.
I watched his cheap act, not a ripple inside me, just bone-deep exhaustion and a bit of self-mockery.
I echoed, "Care about you?
"I cared about you, so I kept enduring your games, over and over.
"I cared about you, so I kept buying your lame explanations every single time.
"I cared about you so much that I turned myself into a nervous wreck, always doubting myself and you, acting like a complete fool.
"You really pulled it off, Ternence.
"You managed to wear down every bit of love I ever had for you, piece by piece.
"You made sure I could never trust you again, and I don't love you anymore.
"So, let's end this. Let's get a divorce."
With that, I went straight to the bedroom to start packing my bags.
I didn't want to waste another word on him, and I sure as hell didn't want to see his phony act anymore.
The so-called "tests" he claimed were "love" were never about love.
They were nothing but a drawn-out torment, slowly shredding my trust and draining every bit of hope I had left for this marriage.
For five years, I kept telling him again and again how much I hated being toyed with and distrusted.
I kept saying that the most important things between husband and wife were trust and openness.
But he never really cared, never took it to heart.
All he ever cared about was how he felt, and whether he could keep me under his thumb.
"Evelyn, don't!" Ternence shouted, suddenly rushing over.
He grabbed my wrist.
His hand was cold, with a slight tremble.
He pleaded, "I was wrong, Evelyn. I really know I messed up.
"I promise, I'll never test you again, never mess around. Please, just forgive me this one time, okay?
"Let's not get divorced. Let's stay together, let's make this work, okay?"
His tears fell onto the back of my hand, chilling me to the bone.
Back then, seeing him cry would've made me soften, would've made me cave.
But now, I just felt numb.
"It's too late," I said.
I pulled my hand back, slow and steady, making it clear I wasn't giving in.
My gaze was icy and distant.
I said, "I gave you chances.
"The first time you planted some stranger's hair on my coat just to test me, I told you I didn't like it.
"The first time you showed me those fake flirty chats, I told you, never do that again.
"But you?
"You let everything I said go in one ear and out the other, like it never mattered.
"You kept testing my boundaries, again and again, pushing me right to the edge.
"Now, it's too late. Nothing you say matters anymore."
Ternence stood there, frozen, his tears falling even harder.
He looked at me, his eyes filled with despair and stubborn refusal to accept it.
I didn't spare him another glance and walked straight into the bedroom.
I opened the closet and pulled out the suitcase I'd already packed.
There wasn't much inside, just a few changes of clothes and some important documents.
This marriage gave me almost nothing, but left me with wounds that never healed.
I snapped the suitcase shut and walked out of the bedroom.
Ternence was still standing there, his gaze hollow as he watched me leave.
Just as I was about to reach the door, he suddenly rushed over and grabbed me from behind, locking his arms around my waist.
He pleaded, "Evelyn, you can't leave.
"You can't leave me."
His voice was thick with tears, desperate and pleading.
"I'm pregnant!" His words burst out.
"Evelyn, I'm pregnant.
"Are you really going to let our baby be born without a mom?"
I stopped in my tracks.
I froze for a second, then I realized what was really going on.
This was just another one of his schemes.
It was just another ploy to make me stay.
After all, we hadn't even been intimate in almost a year.
For the past year, I'd been living under his constant tests and suspicion, tearing myself apart inside every single day.
I was completely drained, both physically and emotionally; the last thing on my mind was anything like that.
How could he possibly be pregnant?
I turned around slowly, watching him crying his eyes out.
I had to admit, he'd really perfected his act.
The way he looked so pitiful, the way he shook, the desperation in his voice could fool anyone.
But after five years of lies and being worn down, I was numb to it all now.
I'd never believe a word he said again, never again, not like before.
"Is that so? You're pregnant?" I said, my voice flat and emotionless.
It was like I was hearing about something that had nothing to do with me.
"Fine, let's go to the hospital right now.
"If the test shows you're really carrying my child.
"I can act like everything that happened before never existed.