Chapter 1
Congratulations! You have been accepted into the Interior Design program at Kensington University, London.
I could hardly believe that the dream I had kept buried for so long was finally coming true.
I wanted to celebrate. I wanted to scream to the world that I had made it. But when I thought about the first person I wanted to tell–Bobby, my husband of five years–my smile instantly faded.
Bobby wasn’t here. He wasn’t by my side to celebrate this moment. Instead, he was having fun with his friends at a luxury hotel downtown. I knew this because my coworker, Amelia, had shown me a social media post.
There was Bobby, his charming smile wide as ever, standing in the middle of his group of friends. But what shocked me the most was the presence of Grace, Bobby’s coworker, who had been coming up in our conversations a lot lately. In the photo, Grace was leaning intimately against Bobby, and in the next slide… there was a video of them passionately kissing.M
Limmediately turned my face away from Amelia’s phone screen. Deep down, I had known something was wrong for a while, but seeing the proof with my own eyes still felt like a dagger to my chest. Tears began streaming down my face uncontrollably.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions raging inside me. Bobby had always belittled me, treating my dreams as something too grand for someone like me–a waitress.
“You know, Irish, prestigious universities like that don’t take people like you,” he had once said, his condescending tone barely concealed.”
But I did it. I proved him wrong. Yet strangely, this victory felt hollow when I realized that the person I always thought would support me was the one who doubted me the most.
That day, I decided Bobby didn’t need to know about my acceptance. He didn’t deserve to hear this good news, just as he didn’t deserve me. I was going to leave Bobby and all the bad memories that came with him. I would go to London and start a new life.}]
Is
The restaurant was winding down as Uncle Jack, the owner of the place and the only family I had left, finished his work for the night. I handed him my acceptance letter, and his soft blue eyes immediately lit up.
“I knew you could do it, Irish!” he exclaimed, pulling me into a tight hug. “I’m so proud of you.”
I smiled, even though my heart felt heavy thinking about the goodbye that was soon to come. Uncle Jack was the only person who had always believed in me, who had always supported me, even when the world seemed against me.”
“Are you going to go with Bobby?” he asked gently.
My smile faded, and I shook my head. Uncle Jack let out a heavy sigh, his expression one of quiet understanding. He had probably known this would happen.
He handed me an envelope. “This is the address of the Mitchell family. They’ve been waiting to hear about this. Remember, they once offered to arrange a match between you and their eldest son. But you chose to marry Bobby instead. Even so, they’re still willing to take you in while you start your studies there.”
I bit my lower lip, a wave of discomfort and guilt washing over me. “I don’t want to burden them, Uncle. I can stay in a dorm and find a part–time job.“”
Uncle Jack shook his head, his expression firm. “At least for now, stay with them. You’ll need support as you begin your life in a big city
like London.“}
“Harry their eldest son, is a professor at your university. He’ll help you.”
I was silent. The name Mitchell took me back to my childhood. They were my late parents‘ friends. I remembered meeting Harry, their eldest son, years ago when they visited our home. He was older than me, and back then, he was a troublemaker who always made me cry.”
I suppressed a small smile as I recalled how annoying Harry had been. Now, I heard he was a professor at the university I would be attending. The irony was astounding, considering I had once sworn I never wanted to see him again.
“All right, Uncle,” I finally said. “I’ll stay with them for now. But as soon as I’m independent, I’ll move out.”
Uncle Jack smiled in satisfaction and patted my shoulder. “That’s the Irish I know.”
-8
That night, Bobby showed up at the restaurant. He stood at the door, wearing the smile that used to warm my heart. But this time, his smile felt like thorns.
“Irish, let’s go home. I’ve been waiting for you,” he said, as if nothing was wrong.
But he wasn’t alone. Grace stood beside him, wearing a tight red dress that hugged her figure perfectly. She smiled at me–a victorious smile.
I stared at them, my heart pounding. I knew what they had done. I knew.
But I said nothing. I just gave a faint smile, nodded, and followed them to the car.}}
During the ride, I sat in the back seat. Bobby kept glancing at my somber expression.
“You didn’t get into the scholarship program, did you?” he guessed. He knew today was the announcement.
“Hmm. I responded briefly.!!
“Don’t worry. I’ll make you some hot chocolate to cheer you up.“>>
“Hmm…” I repeated the same answer, giving him no reaction. Then I closed my eyes. I wasn’t really asleep. I was trying to suppress my
anger.
But I heard something that made my blood boil.!!
“Is she asleen?” Grace asked her voice low but teasing
7:59 PM
“Hmm…” I repeated the same answer, giving him no reaction. Then I closed my eyes. I wasn’t really asleep. I was trying to suppress my anger.N
But I heard something that made my blood boil.
“Is she asleep?” Grace asked, her voice low but teasing.
“Of course,” Bobby replied casually. “Irish always falls asleep quickly after a long day at work.”>
Grace chuckled softly. “Then can I tease you now?”
Bobby laughed. “Be patient, darling. Wait until we get to your apartment.”}
“I can’t wait…” Grace murmured, leaning closer to Bobby. From the corner of my barely open eyes, I saw her unbutton the top of his shirt, her hand stroking his chest flirtatiously.
I clenched my fists, trying hard to hold back my tears. They talked as if I wasn’t there, as if I were a lifeless doll.
When we arrived at my apartment, Bobby tried to act sweet. He made me hot chocolate, just as he had promised. But I didn’t care. I only stared at him coldly, saying nothing.
Suddenly, Bobby’s phone rang. It was a call from Grace. I could clearly see her name on the screen. Bobby pressed the speaker button, and Grace’s voice filled the room.
“Bobby, the AC in my apartment is broken. Can you come over now?“}
Bobby glanced at me briefly before answering. “I have to ask Irish first. If she says yes, I’ll come. If not, you’ll have to find someone else.”} I gave him a bitter smile. “Why bother asking for my permission? You always do whatever you want, don’t you?“}
“Oh, come on, Irish. Don’t take out your disappointment on others. I’m just helping Grace fix her AC, and then I’ll come right back. Go to sleep, and good night, darling…” he said, kissing my forehead before leaving.
I started at the door he had just closed, fighting back my tears. In a few days, I would be gone. And when that day came, I would never look back.”
3/3
