Emily faltered. “Michael, why are you yelling? You’re scaring me.”
The neighbors joined in.
“Michael, you looked decent enough before, but now you’re violent.”
“Look at that twisted face—are you going to hit someone?”
“Emily, don’t be afraid. Whatever wrongs you’ve suffered, tell us. We’ll stand by you. We’ll testify.”
Emily let out a smug little laugh, thinking she had already won.
“Michael, apologize. If your attitude is sincere, maybe I’ll forgive you.”
I sneered. “Thanks so much!”
Emily really thought she was something. But once I knew she had another man, all I felt was disgust. My years of devotion had gone to waste.
Just looking at her face now made me sick.
Hearing my words, Emily was shocked. She couldn’t understand why I spoke with such sarcasm.
In the past, whenever she stirred up trouble, I always apologized immediately, humble to the point of groveling.
Perhaps it was my weakness that emboldened her, made her disregard my feelings completely.
“What’s going on?” Daniel came over.
I saw him and Emily exchange a glance, sharing some silent communication, as if asking why their plan had failed.
One of the gossiping neighbors filled him in.
Daniel scowled. “Michael, this is your fault. Emily was wronged—you should’ve stood up for her, not just brushed it aside.”
“Look at her, so upset, so hurt. How can anyone not feel sorry for her?”
“Women are meant to be cherished.”
Cherished? Sure—you cherished her while I was at work.
Now I understood why Emily always encouraged me to switch jobs. Not only would it mean more money, but the new office was farther away.
Longer commutes meant later nights home, leaving more time for the two of them to fool around.
I chuckled. “You sound experienced.”
Daniel nodded. “Of course. Want me to give you some pointers?”
I shook my head. “No need.”
Emily scoffed. “Michael, I’m so disappointed in you. Daniel’s trying to teach you, and this is your attitude?”
Daniel sighed and gave me a look of pity.
I smiled at him. “Since you’re so good at cherishing her, why bother? I’ll just leave her for you to cherish.”
Emily’s face darkened. She gritted her teeth. “Michael, are you serious?”
I nodded. “Did you think I was joking?”
Emily scoffed. “Fine. Let’s see how long before you come crawling back to me.”
Crawl back? Not a chance. You killed me once already—I’ve learned my lesson. I’ll never give you another chance to hurt me.