Chapter 3

The air fell into an eerie silence.

Marcus hadn't expected me to agree so readily. His voice couldn't hide his excitement:

"Marta, you're really willing?"

I pushed the agreement toward him, my action serving as my answer.

My calmness seemed to unsettle all three of them.

Marcus picked up the paper and carefully smoothed it out.

I could tell he was satisfied with the property division.

Our current house was my premarital property.

I was giving up all marital assets. We'd split the savings in half. I had my pension anyway, so I wouldn't worry about my future.

Mainly, I just didn't want to argue with him anymore.

Marcus was about to sign when he noticed my name already there. His pen paused for a moment.

Then he quickly scrawled his own name, as if afraid I'd change my mind if he waited even a second longer.

Only then did Ryan stand up and pour me my first glass of wine that day.

"Mom, that's more like it. You should look on the bright side. Dad has the right to pursue happiness too."

Lester pestered her father about when they could invite Maria over for dinner.

"Maria loves lobster. Make sure you buy several, and remember to pick the fat ones..."

I interrupted expressionlessly: "It's getting late. You should all leave."

I said "you all."

Ryan's hand froze mid-reach for the food.

Lester's smile instantly stiffened.

After the three left, I took out a bottle of Marcus's treasured wine.

I poured myself a glass and drank it down with the table full of dishes.

I didn't feel like cleaning up the table, so I just left it.

I went back to my bedroom and lay down. Without the thunderous snoring, without someone constantly getting up during the night, I slept exceptionally well.

The next morning, I slept until I woke naturally, then changed into workout clothes and exercised in the park for a while.

When I got back, I slowly tidied up, toasted some bread, fried two eggs, and made myself coffee.

In my previous life, I had to get up at five every morning to feed bedridden Marcus, change his diapers, bathe him, give him massages...

Before I could take a single bite, I'd have to pick up my grandson from school, then go to Lester's bachelor apartment to clean and cook.

In the evening, I'd go home and repeat the whole morning routine.

Day after day, with no end in sight.

I hadn't experienced such a leisurely morning in so long.

I opened the closet and packed all of Marcus's things into boxes.

After I finished, only a few old, outdated clothes remained in the closet.

In my previous life, just because Marcus said:

"Marta, I'm a professor. I need to set an example for my students. We must live modestly."

I wore the same down jacket for fifteen years, the same pair of jeans for eight years.

But when that student Maria got engaged, he casually gave her $888,000 as a gift.

After leaving the package station, I went straight to the mall.

For the rest of my days, I didn't want to shortchange myself anymore.

I didn't expect to run into Maria there, with Ryan and Lester by her side.

When they saw me, their smiles stiffened and embarrassment flickered across their faces.

But Maria spoke first:

"Marta, long time no see. Are you here alone?"

"Look at these two kids. I said they didn't need to come, but they insisted."

"Ryan really splurged on this trip."

I looked at the designer shopping bags Ryan was carrying.

Thinking of that bag of rotten fruit, I felt nothing but bitter irony.

Maria walked over and took the dress I'd been looking at.

"This color suits me perfectly. How much is it? I'll take it!"

"I saw it first," I said, suppressing my anger.

"Mom, such a beautiful dress is wasted on you. Just let Maria have it!" Ryan immediately said.

"Exactly. At your age, wearing a dress like this—have you no shame?" Lester's words were even more cutting than Ryan's.

Maria pretended to mediate:

"Don't say that. Everyone loves beauty. I just think this dress doesn't suit you. Shop assistant, please wrap it up for me!"

"Wait," I called out.

My husband—she could have him. My two children—I could give them up too.

But this dress represented my rebirth and transformation. I just didn't want to let her have it.

But just as I was about to pay, Lester suddenly ran over and pushed me.

I lost my balance and crashed into a rack of clothes behind me.

I'd had surgery on my back before, and now a searing pain shot through it.

Ryan took the opportunity to pay for Maria first.

He turned around, saw me on the ground, and though a trace of reluctance crossed his eyes, he still said:

"Mom, don't blame us. Who told you to be so foolish as to compete with Maria?"

With that, they surrounded Maria and left.

In the end, the shop assistant helped me up and asked with concern if I needed to go to the hospital.

I saw the panic in her eyes and reassured her I was fine.