Bittersweet

When I next woke up, my body was racked with pain. My stomach hurt especially badly.

Ethan stood before my bed, stubble on his haggard face. His voice was hoarse. “Jasmine…”

I asked weakly, “How long was I out?”

He seemed even weaker than me. “A day.”

It was only a day, huh? He looked like he had not cleaned up for three days.

He held my hand slowly, his voice trembling. “Jasmine… Thank goodness you're alright… Thank goodness you didn't leave me…”

He choked, burying his face in my hands.

I looked up at the white fluorescent lights above my head and said softly, “But… you left me.”

He raised his head in a panic. “I didn't! Jasmine, I can explain!

“She's just a friend! She recently returned to the country and asked for a job at my company, but I didn't agree!

“She said she wanted to treat me to a meal after I rejected her. Nothing happened between us!

“Jasmine, she's just an old friend of mine!

“If you want to know anything, you can just ask me. There was no need to hurt yourself following me!

“I'll never lie to you!”

He spouted terrible lies, completely losing his head. I watched him calmly, no longer feeling any pain or anger.

I finally knew. It was not that he had changed.

He had always been an excellent liar.

This entire relationship was just a fairytale he crafted for me. Now, I finally knew what a stupid mistake I had made three years ago.

Now, after barely escaping with my life, I was going to correct that mistake.

I endured the pain from my wounds and said slowly, “Ethan, let's get divorced.”

His body shook. He stared at me.

“Why?”

His face was pale, his brow covered with sweat. He looked like a mess.

I sighed, raised my hand, and reached into his pocket.

With a hook of my fingers, I pulled out a skin-colored silk stocking. It was covered in traces of fluids.

“Ethan, your acting skills have deteriorated.”