Chapter 5

Ronald really was good-looking—as in, annoyingly so. Fair skin, sharp features, those deep, misty eyes made him look like he walked straight out of a moody indie film. Back in my previous life, I did love him my whole damn life. Not even exaggerating. I looked at Emma and said plainly, “People do dumb stuff when they're young. He’s got someone he likes now—no point holding on.” Emma exploded, “Hold up, are you saying that jerk cheated on you?!” I shook my head. “It’s not really cheating. He liked her before we got married.” The truth was, I just found out too late. And from what I know, during the four years we were married, he didn’t cross any lines. His so-called dream girl? She liked someone else. He might’ve chased her, but at least he didn’t go full homewrecker. The last year? Well, we were constantly at each other’s throats and I got sick… honestly, no clue what happened then. Emma’s face turned red with rage. “That makes it even worse! He’s into someone else, still married you, and then spent the whole marriage acting like someone’s backup dancer? What the hell! Classic simp behavior—disgusting.” I gave her a look. “…” She suddenly covered her mouth, those wide dark eyes bouncing to me. “I wasn’t talking about you. Actually, you’ve finally woken up from the simp spell, haven’t you?” I smiled, gave her shoulder a playful nudge. “You're right to be mad. From now on, if someone’s not important to me, I’m not gonna bother investing in them.” If someone doesn’t love me, they’ll leave eventually. The ones who do? They’ll stay, maybe even come closer. So I’ll just save my energy for the ones who matter. The rest? Whatever. Emma reached out, ruffled my hair, sighing. “Good. But really, is that the only reason you’re divorcing Ronald? Or is there more?” I casually said I didn’t love him anymore, and Emma scoffed. “You think I’m buying that, or that I’ve got a better shot at winning a million-dollar lottery today?” I chuckled helplessly. But yeah, it was the truth. “Not that I’m totally over it. I did love him for a long time. But now? Not gonna fall for him again.” Emma raised her brows. “You were only together a year. How’s that a ‘long time love’?” That caught me off guard—I had nothing to say. Luckily, she didn’t push it and just threw an arm around my shoulder. “Doesn’t matter. As long as you’re finally out of that mess with Ronald, I’m happy. “There are tons of guys out there. Pretty sure all of them are better than him. Plus, you’ve got me. I’ve got your back from now on.” She made me laugh again. “Okay, guess I’m depending on you to feed me now.” Emma suddenly turned serious. “So, what’s your plan now?” I thought about it. “Find a job. Build my career. Actually live my life.” Her whole face lit up with excitement. “Finally! Took you long enough to stop wasting your talent.” “You used to top every class—left me and the rest of us in the dust. All the teachers thought you were gonna be some bigshot one day.” “And look at you, throwing yourself at Ronald like he was the only tree in the forest. Totally buried your potential. It still ticks me off… but hey, enough of that. I actually know someone hiring in your field. I’ll take you to meet him tomorrow.” “Sounds good.” I agreed happily. I didn’t want Ronald’s money anyway. Not like he’d give me any. Once we divorced, my income would be cut off, so getting a job fast was the smart move. Emma and I kept chatting nonstop, catching up on the year we’d been apart. Eating, drinking, just like old times—neither of us wanted to go to sleep. We only wrapped it up because of the meeting tomorrow. Just before we went back to our rooms, Emma suddenly asked softly, “Isabella, do you still talk to Jordan?” The second she said his name, I flinched. My chest tightened like someone had stuffed it full of cotton. Jordan… a name I hadn’t heard in a very, very long time.Emma let out a sigh. “If it hadn’t been for him back then, you wouldn’t have ended up marrying Ronald, and maybe you wouldn’t have been so miserable. If he finds out you’re getting divorced…” She trailed off before finishing, and I didn’t pick up the thread, just sat there in silence. Emma quickly realized she’d touched a nerve and immediately changed the subject, then left the room to go to bed. I headed back to my room too, but couldn’t sleep at all. Ended up lying awake till dawn. Just as I dozed off, my phone rang like crazy and jolted me awake. I clenched my jaw, not even glancing at the screen before answering. “Who the hell’s calling this early?!” A low voice came through the receiver, tense and rushed. “Isabella, where are you?” Ronald? My sleepy brain snapped awake instantly. One glance at the clock—5:30 AM—and I was burning. “Ronald, have you completely lost it? What’s so damn urgent so early in the morning?” There was a pause. Then he said, “I had this dream… you were hurting yourself. And then… you died. It was awful.” Wow. My fists tightened. “What, have you been wishing I’d drop dead so often that it’s messing with your dreams now? And even if I really died, what—are you gonna revive me with a phone call?” Back in my past life, when I was in the hospital needing emergency surgery, yeah, I had to call him to come sign off on it. But now? I was fine—healthy. His words just sounded like a cruel joke. Maybe even Ronald realized how ridiculous it was because he didn’t pursue it further. “Where’s the medicine kept? And which kettle heats water?” Ha. Typical. That jerk just wanted to order me around again like I’m his live-in maid. Honestly, I was beginning to suspect that whole dream story was fake. Probably just an excuse to get me to find stuff for him. I kept quiet, ready to hang up, but then he said softly, “Isabella, my stomach’s killing me.” My eyebrows furrowed. His voice did sound a little off… and against my better judgment, I felt a flicker of concern. “The meds are on the second shelf from the bottom, third drawer, in the study. Kettle’s in the kitchen cabinet. Take two pills, and don’t overdo it.” “Got it,” he replied, and I could hear him rummaging through drawers. Then it hit me—what the hell was I doing? Instinctively, I slapped myself. Why was I still helping him out? “Ronald, we’re practically divorced. From today onward, we’re done. Don’t come to me with this stuff anymore. In fact, you woke me up just now—you owe me compensation for mental distress.” I could hear a dry chuckle on the other end. His tone was icy. “Compensation?” I snorted. “Of course. Ever since I married you, you’ve been getting all the perks, while I’ve just been bleeding time and energy. “I gave you the best years of my life. Don’t you think you owe me something for that?” He sounded even more sarcastic. “Wow, sounds like someone’s head-over-heels for money now.” I flashed a proud smile. “Absolutely. Money doesn’t betray. It doesn’t give you attitude or random stomach issues. Unlike you—fussy, picky, germaphobe, emotionally constipated… Oh, and can’t even hold it together in bed. Tsk.” In my past life, I gave up everything to be a full-time housewife. And in the end? Lost it all. Came out with nothing. This time around, at least I’m keeping my assets. Ronald hissed, “Isabella!” He was about to blow up, I could hear it. But I didn’t let him. Hung up right then and there, rolled over, and closed my eyes. Not even a minute later, my phone lit up again. Ronald’s name. Without hesitation, I hung up again. Felt amazing. He used to hang up on me all the time in the past. Didn’t think the day would come when I’d be doing the same to him. From now on, I’m done tiptoeing around this so-called relationship. No more worrying if he’s upset, bored, or mad. Starting today, I won’t be anyone’s wife, anyone’s daughter-in-law. Just me. Living for myself. And totally, unapologetically happy.