Chapter 4

When we got home, Lily started changing the bedsheets unprompted.

Her phone kept buzzing, probably someone calling.

I wasn't in the mood to listen. I went to the bathroom to have a smoke and clear my head.

I chain-smoked half a pack, but still couldn't calm down. I kept thinking about how over the line Lily's actions were.

I considered her in everything I did, but she clearly didn't think of me at all.

This was a critical time for my promotion. I was the sole breadwinner. We'd been married two years, and both sets of parents were eager for grandkids. If I could land the director position, we could significantly improve our lifestyle and reduce a lot of stress. Then we could start thinking about having a baby.

But now, it had all gone up in smoke.

I regretted asking Lily to bring me an umbrella that night. But I was also angry that she would use such dirty tactics to drag me down with her. I loved Lily, but after this, I wasn't sure I loved her quite so much anymore.

I shook out the cigarette pack and found it empty. I had to leave the bathroom, only to find Lily standing ominously by the door, staring at me.

"My parents are coming over tomorrow," she said.

I felt annoyed. This kind of thing didn't need to involve the parents.

Besides, it wasn't my fault to begin with.

But Lily just repeated: "If it weren't for you, how would I have gotten assaulted? You owe me for all of this."

Her words left me feeling ice cold.

Of course, if doing this made her feel better, I wouldn't hold it against her. But I never imagined she was actually trying to destroy me!

Both sets of parents berated me harshly. I couldn't explain myself. When neighbors asked about the police visit, Lily casually said, "Oh that? It's because he committed rape."

Let me put it this way - when the incident first happened, Lily appeared as the victim and naturally garnered sympathy. But in her retelling, I was the perpetrator, so of course people condemned me.

Everyone advised Lily to divorce me, calling me scum who didn't deserve to live or even be in the same neighborhood as them.

Even my company put me on leave, with no return date in sight.

I became a target for everyone's anger.

Meanwhile, Lily transformed into the good woman, saying I had just made a mistake, that she loved me and chose to forgive me. Our reputations were completely reversed.

Even when I said it was all a misunderstanding and the police could prove it, people said there's no smoke without fire. I had no way to defend myself.

I asked Lily to explain, but she said this was nothing compared to what she went through. If I couldn't handle even this much, was I even a man?

I laughed bitterly.

How were these situations the same at all?

Our circumstances were completely different.

I had never aired her trauma in public. I protected her, shielding her from harmful rumors. But her? She seemed afraid people wouldn't hurt me enough.

She kept stabbing me in the heart with sharp swords.

I thought, surely this is enough? Surely we've reached the limit?

I went to talk to Lily, telling her she had to publicly apologize to me. Otherwise, I would sue her for defamation.

"You wouldn't dare!" Lily glared at me coldly. Her expression was so detached, as if I were a stranger to her.

"You planned this whole thing yourself. I've put up with you for a long time. If you're not willing to apologize..." I paused. "Then let's get divorced."