He wrapped himself around my legs, refusing to let me leave, crying desperately.
“Let go. It’s disgusting! I’m done with you, can’t you see?”
He clung to me like a pathetic dog, but I still wanted a divorce.
I yanked my leg free, disgusted as his tears and snot smeared my pants. I wiped it off with a tissue and tossed it to the ground.
A young college girl nearby couldn’t stand it any longer. She shoved me down and pulled Jason up.
“We’re all neighbors. I can’t watch you treat a loving, responsible man like this.”
“Jason works food delivery until 2 a.m., then gets up at 8 a.m. for his day job. We’ve all seen his hard work. Meanwhile, you stay home with the kid and do nothing else.”
“If you can’t appreciate his effort, fine. But to pour cold water on him and demand divorce? Do you even have a heart?”
The college student was furious, standing up for Jason.
I sneered at her. “What, are you sleeping with my husband? Is that why you’re defending him?”
“If you feel sorry for him, then after I divorce him, you can have him. Isn’t that the perfect solution?”
My words struck her deeply. She shook her head and slapped me hard.
“Insult me again, and it won’t just be one slap.”
The neighbors murmured disapprovingly.
“This woman is insane, accusing everyone she sees.”
“She slanders her husband, demands divorce, and now bullies a kindhearted college girl? We’d better stay away.”
“Exactly. She’s trouble. Whoever gets involved will regret it.”
But Jason stood up quickly and grabbed the girl’s wrist, saying:
“Don’t hit my wife. If you hurt her, I’ll be heartbroken. She’s the only woman I’ll ever love. Even if you’re my neighbor, even if you have a crush on me, I’ll never betray her. I’ll only love Rachel Evans for my whole life.”
His righteous declaration instantly brought the college girl to tears. The neighbors, even Margaret, widened their eyes in shock.
“So this pretty college student once confessed to Jason but was rejected? Really?”
Jason then turned to me:
“Rachel, don’t slander me and Emily. There’s nothing between us. If you’re trying to use this as an excuse to force a divorce, forget it.”
“I can tell you this: even if Emily stripped naked in front of me, I’d feel nothing. I’m only devoted to you.”
His words sickened me. Suddenly, I kicked him hard between the legs. Jason doubled over in pain.
“Rachel, why… why would you do this to me?”