The Day My Marriage Ended

At a New Year gathering, after several rounds of drinking, someone suggested playing Truth or Dare.

The question was: What is the boldest thing you have ever done?

Jollas childhood friend, Eren Zerrock, who had just returned from abroad, lost the game.

He raised his glass, looked straight at her and said with a smile, The boldest thing I have done was performing a lump surgery for Jolla. After the surgery, the wound got infected, so I helped wipe her body for a whole month. Otherwise, how could that part of her recover so nicely?

Everyone froze for three seconds, then burst out laughing. As expected of childhood sweethearts!

I sat there quietly, my fingers tightening on the corner of my clothes.

Then it was my turn. All eyes turned to me.

I looked at Jolla and spoke calmly, The boldest thing I have done is deciding to divorce Jolla.

All the laughter stopped at once.

Jollas face darkened. Louis, what do you mean?

I blinked, sounding innocent.

If Eren can perform breast surgery on you, then of course I can ask you for a divorce.

Erens eyes turned red at once.

I laughed softly, my voice cold. What? You touched her there and now you still want to act innocent?

I paused, then said each word clearly, Sorry, but in this life, I hate sharing something that someone else has already touched. I do not want her anymore. You can have her.

Jolla suddenly raised her voice, Louis! Apologize to Eren! You have had too much to drink!

Eren spoke with a sobbing voice, looking wronged. I really did not know you could not take a joke and are so narrow-minded

I said nothing. I raised my hand and smashed the wine glass in my hand.

Glass pieces flew everywhere.

Enjoy yourselves.

After giving Jolla one last look, I turned and walked away.

The door closed behind me, but the voices inside still drifted out in pieces.

Is Louis in a bad mood today?

Jolla, isnt your husband usually very obedient?

Erens clear voice was especially obvious.

What else could it be? He is just jealous. He cannot even take a joke.

When I was abroad, hugging and cheek kisses with men and women were totally normal. If you ask me, people with dirty minds see everything as dirty.

He paused for a moment, then laughed softly, as if sharing something funny.

Speaking of it, back in high school, Jolla even helped me take care of it once. What is the big deal?

A wave of teasing, ambiguous laughter followed.

Someone joked, Doctor Zerrock, do you see no difference between men and women?

Eren laughed, his voice bright and relaxed. More or less. Right, Jolla?

After a brief silence, I heard that familiar, indulgent voice,

Yes.

Lets drink! Today we are welcoming Doctor Zerrock back. No one leaves sober!

The noise inside the room rose again.

Just after I got home, my phone suddenly vibrated.

The screen lit up and started playing a video. In the video, they were drinking and shouting. Kiss! Kiss!

Jolla held Erens face and kissed him.

The two of them seemed to switch into another mode, kissing more and more passionately.

When they finally pulled apart, one button on Jollas clothes was undone. Her hair was messy, her cheeks flushed.

Erens breathing was also uneven.

The crowd laughed and kept drinking.

Then another message from Eren popped up on my phone.

[Louis, sorry about what just happened. I just got back to the country and spoke too casually. Do not take it to heart.]

[We lost Truth or Dare, so we just kissed a little. I am telling you out of courtesy. Please do not be angry.]

I clenched my fist and put the phone down. It felt like a heavy stone was pressing on my chest and I could hardly breathe.

I did not reply. I threw my phone onto the sofa.

The thought of divorce came to me because, for the past two months, Jolla had suddenly become very busy.

She told me openly that her childhood friend, Eren, was coming back to the country and she was helping him arrange work and plan his future.

Then one day, while she was taking a shower, her phone lit up.

I only glanced at it once, but my blood turned cold.

It was a nude photo.

Eren said, [The workout results are pretty good, right?]

Jolla replied, [Very good.]

When we got married, she once told me, My father cheated and caused my mother to commit suicide. I will never betray you.

But promises could change so easily.

Did this count as emotional cheating?

I did not know.

I sat on the sofa until the sky turned completely dark. She still did not come home.

I took out my phone and made a call. Help me draft a divorce agreement. Yes, I want a divorce.

In the middle of the night, my stomach suddenly started to hurt badly.

I called Jolla more than ten times.

No one answered.

A servant found me collapsed on the floor and rushed me to the hospital.

When I woke up, the doctor said my appendicitis had flared up and I had just finished surgery.

I looked toward the door. He never appeared.

In the afternoon, Jolla finally showed up. She walked straight up to me and slapped me hard.

I was stunned.

When I came back to my senses, my voice was shaking.

Jolla, are you crazy?

Her chest rose and fell sharply, fire burning in her eyes.

I am crazy? Eren sincerely sent you messages to apologize and you turned around and called to curse him! You told him he was a male homewrecker and told him to go die! Louis, how did you become so vicious?

I could hardly believe what I was hearing.

What are you talking about? When did I ever make such a call?

Still pretending! She stepped closer, her voice harsh and urgent.

Eren has a congenital heart condition! Not only did you curse him, you also anonymously called the hospital to report him for bad conduct and tried to get his medical license revoked! He fainted on the spot from crying! Are you satisfied now?

A cold, absurd chill rushed up from my feet. Instead, I laughed. I did not do it. Not a single thing. None of it.

She let out a mocking laugh, her eyes full of disappointment.

Eren and I grew up together. Thirty years. I know exactly what kind of person he is. He is straightforward and would never lie!

Her gaze dropped to my abdomen and her tone suddenly turned cold. Louis, do you think that just because you got sick, you can do whatever you want now?

After saying that, she did not look at me again. She slammed the door and left.

The loud bang of the door felt like it hit my chest.

Right after that, a sharp, twisting pain exploded in my abdomen.

The monitor beside the bed suddenly let out a piercing alarm.

My vision went black and I lost consciousness.

In a daze, I heard the doctor shouting anxiously, Hurry! The patients surgical wound is bleeding!

When I woke up again, the doctor was standing by the bed, still shaken. You suddenly had internal bleeding in your abdomen. The wound showed signs of tearing. It was extremely dangerous. We barely managed to control it. You must remember this: during recovery, you absolutely cannot get emotionally agitated. Do you understand?

I stared at the ceiling, biting my lips until they almost bled.

At that moment, familiar laughter came from the hallway outsideclear and carefree.

It was Eren.

Alright, Jolla, I am really fine now! Go check on Louis. I heard from colleagues that he is alone in the hospital.

Jolla replied indifferently, It is just an appendicitis surgery. What could go wrong? You just fainted. I will stay with you a bit longer.

I clenched the bedsheet tightly beneath me, my fingers turning white from the force.

A tear slipped down.

The next day, my condition stabilized and the doctor told me to go home and rest.

While packing my things, I opened the bedside drawer and realized a watch was missing. It was a gift from my father with a simple design.

I searched the entire hospital room and all my luggage, but couldnt find it.

I picked up my phone and, without thinking, opened my social media feed.

The first post was a nine-photo grid Eren had shared that morning. In the photos, he was sitting in the front passenger seat of Jollas car, smiling into the wind. And on his wrist, there was, unmistakably, the watch that had gone missing.

The caption read:

Jolla says this watch style is a bit old-fashioned, but it suits me just fine. Im borrowing it for a few days!

It felt as if the blood rushed straight to my head.

I took a deep breath and lit up my phone screen.

Hello, is this police? I want to report a theft. My valuable item is missing.

At the police station, Jolla and Eren sat across from me.

Jollas face was livid. She lowered her voice, forcing it down.

Louis, do you really have to make things this ugly? It is just a watch. Eren only borrowed it to wear for a while. Was it really necessary to call the police?

I clenched the watch I had just gotten back. The hard edge pressed painfully into my palm. I did not speak, only lifted my eyes and looked at her coldly.

Jolla turned to the police officer and immediately changed her tone, putting on a polite smile.

Officer, I am really sorry. My husband has been ill and is a bit emotionally unstable. I agreed to lend this watch to a friend. It was just a small family misunderstanding, but we ended up troubling you.

The officer glanced at me, his tone gentle. Husband and wife should communicate more. Do not call the police over every little thing.

After leaving the station, Jolla pulled open the car door, her voice stiff and cold. Get in.

Eren naturally opened the front passenger door and sat down. He turned back and smiled at me. Louis, you are not feeling well right now. The back seat is more spacious.

The car started moving. Jolla stared at me through the rearview mirror. Louis, my patience has limits. Now, you're scolding Eren and calling the police, what are you planning to do next?

Eren reached out and gently patted her arm. Jolla, do not be angry anymore. He just had surgeryhis body is weak. It is normal for him to be sensitive and suspicious. You should spend more time with him.

He turned back, eyes curved in a smile as he looked at me. Louis, really, do not overthink it. Jolla and I are just good friends. We have always been like this for years.

I did not respond. I lowered the car window and let the cold wind rush in.

When we arrived home and got out of the car, Eren stepped ahead and opened the door for me first.

I did not look at him. I walked straight inside, took the document out of the drawer and placed it in front of Jolla.

Sign it.

She glanced down at it. Her expression changed instantly. She picked up the pen, signed it, then slammed it onto the floor.

Fine. Very well!

I have tolerated you again and again, Louis. Do not push it too far! When the time comes, do not come crying and begging me!

The papers were scattered all over the floor. She lifted her foot and stepped straight over them in front of me.

Eren followed behind her. At the last moment before the door closed, he turned back and curled his lips at me in a faint smile.

That night, my phone screen lit up again and again.

Message after message from Eren popped up.

I opened one. The image was unsteady.

Jolla was drunk beyond consciousness. Eren leaned against her, murmuring soft words of comfort.

The next second, he suddenly cupped her face and kissed her. The two of them fell onto the bed together.

The video was withdrawn a few seconds later. I turned off the screen and backed up every single file Eren had sent.

The next afternoon, just as a friend and I sat down at a caf, Jolla burst in.

Her eyes were bloodshot, her finger trembling as she pointed at me. Louis! I never imagined you could be this vicious!

I frowned, confused.

It was not until I opened my phone that I saw the news alert. His companys core project had been leaked, causing huge losses.

Why? Her voice was hoarse. Do you hate me that much? Hate me enough to destroy everything I have? Just because of Eren?

It was not me, I said, looking at her. Believe it or not.

She gave a cold laugh, turned around and walked away without hesitation.

For the next few days, Jolla completely disappeared.

Then a recording of a livestream suddenly went viral online.

During the live call, Eren choked up as he said he had loved Jolla for many years and that I was the real third party who came between them.

Back then, I was forced to go abroad and now he cannot even tolerate my existence. Again and again, he framed me and reported me, even using his own body to trap her in a marriage.

With tears in his eyes, he said, Is this kind of love really worth it?

Public opinion exploded instantly.

People began digging up my personal information. When I went outside, others pointed at me and whispered. Some even threw eggs at me, shouting, Sickly trash! Homewrecker! Get lost!

Jolla soon responded on her account:

Eren is simple and innocent. If his words or actions were inappropriate, they were unintentional. Please do not overinterpret. This is a private matter. Do not disturb.

That statement pushed the situation to its peak.

I left one comment under it: Let the truth come out in time.

In an instant, thousands of insults flooded my messages.

Die, homewrecker!

A disgusting man pretending to be sick for sympathy!

Did your parents never teach you how to behave?

I turned off my phone, my chest feeling tight and heavy.

That evening, the housekeeper prepared dinner as usual. But not long after eating, sharp pain twisted through my stomach.

Where did this food come from? I asked, cold sweat pouring down.

Mr. Zerrock and Miss Guvella brought it this afternoon they said it was fresh organic vegetables

Before the sentence was finished, my vision went black and I collapsed heavily to the floor.

Sir! Sir, what is wrong? The servants scream faded as everything went dark.

When I woke up, my whole body felt like it had been crushed by a heavy weight.

The doctor stood by the bed, his voice very gentle.

Sir, the food you consumed contained strong irritating substances. It caused serious complications after your surgery. One of your kidneys could not be saved. We have already removed it.

I stared at the ceiling, my ears ringing nonstop.

That is impossible My voice was hoarse. It was just appendicitis

The doctor looked away and shook his head in silence.

I fell back onto the bed. My right hand moved to my side without thinking, but all I touched was thick bandages and a flat, unfamiliar emptiness. That place was gone.

Tears burst out without warning. I bit into the blanket, trying to stop the sobs stuck in my throat.

I did not know how long passed before I found my phone and kept dialing the number I knew by heart, again and again.

At last, the call went through.

But the voice that answered was Erens, soft and smiling. Louis? Jolla is taking a shower.

I clenched my phone, my nails digging into my palm. Put her on the phone.

There was some rustling on the other end. He shouted loudly, Jolla! Your husband is calling to check up on you again!

Hello. Jollas voice came through, damp and impatient.

I opened my mouth. All the words were stuck in my throat. In the end, I only managed to say one sentence:

Where are you?

Keeping Eren company in Larkven to relax, she said calmly. What happened online affected him too much. He needs time to recover.

As I listened, everything suddenly felt so absurd that it was almost laughable.

My dry lips moved slightly. My stomach hurt badly today. I ate the food you sent

If you are not feeling well, go see a doctor. She cut me off, her voice suddenly cold. Louis, you are not trying to frame Eren again, are you? Hurting your own body to accuse him? How did you become like this?

I tightened my grip on the phone, my knuckles turning white.

She was still talking. Eren is so pure. How could he possibly do something like this? Whatever unclean thing you ate, you know it best yourself.

The call was cut off.

The busy tone rang in my ears for a long time.

Slowly, I put the phone down. Then I suddenly started laughing until my whole body shook and tears streamed down my face.

Jolla, I said softly to the empty air, We are finished.

The next day, I checked out of the hospital.

My face was pale as paper. My steps were unsteady, each one feeling like I was walking on cotton.

When the plane rose into the clouds, I looked out the window at the city below, growing smaller and smaller.

During my years in Dargam City, I loved and I suffered, and in the end, everything felt like a shattered dream.

And now, the dream was finally over.