Divorced and Left Broke

The next afternoon, I was handling the handover of my resignation when Neil's call came through. "Ruby said you were mean to her in front of her classmates and even canceled her card. When did you become so petty? She's my sister. What's wrong with her spending some of your money? Have we mistreated you? You'd better apologize to Ruby right now and transfer $5,000 as pocket money to her. Otherwise, I'll divorce you!"

I rolled my eyes and sneered. "Neil, she's your sister, not mine. Why should I give a random girl unlimited access to my money when she calls me an old hag? Anyway, this is perfect timing. When are you coming back? I have something to tell you."

Just then, Neil paused, seemingly not expecting my firm attitude.

Soon, he resumed his impatient attitude, trying to pressure me in his usual way. "You just want to keep nagging about that shabby house renovation, don't you? I don't get it. Living with my family will at least provide you with some support. Why do you insist on spending that money? Do you have a lot of money to spend? I'm telling you, apologize to my sister first, or there's nothing left to discuss!"

After saying that, he simply hung up without giving me any chance to refute.

Listening to the busy signal on the other end of the line, I was silent for a long time, as if something was suffocating my chest.

He had indeed forgotten.

When he proposed, his eyes were sincere. "Ellie, we'll buy our own house after we get married. The renovations are entirely up to you. I want to give you a perfect home."

Later, we did buy a house, but the renovations were constantly delayed.

The first year, he said he was too busy with work to oversee the renovation team and asked me to wait.

The second year, he said the family's cash flow was tight and asked me to postpone the renovation until we were more financially stable.

I believed him time and time again. Now, this home was gone, and we had no future.

Afterward, I was busy completely severing ties with Neil. I did not contact him, and he naturally did not reach out to me.

The day before the end of the divorce cooling-off period, he texted me in the evening.

Neil: [I drank too much at the celebration party. Come pick me up.]

I realized then that he had already returned from his business trip.

I did not want to reply at first, but I grabbed my car keys and went out after recalling tomorrow's event.

When I arrived at the restaurant, I immediately spotted Neil standing by the roadside. He looked quite drunk. His arm was casually draped over Sonia's shoulder, and he was leaning comfortably against her.

Several male colleagues were beside him, waiting for their rides as well. Unlike him, they stood up straight, and their eyes were clear.

Seeing my car, Neil pulled Sonia to open the back door, and the two of them got in together.

Neil rubbed his temples. "Take her home first. I'm really dizzy. I'll sit in the back for a bit."

I sneered inwardly.

He had found a perfect excuse to openly lean his head against his junior in my own car.

Sonia's gaze met mine for a second through the rearview mirror. She was not embarrassed at all. Instead, she smiled gracefully at me. "Don't misunderstand. Neil really did drink quite a bit just now. He's probably feeling unwell. Sorry for the trouble."

I smiled too. "It’s no trouble at all. But it's best not to get involved if you encounter a drunk man like this in the future. It doesn't cost much to take a taxi, anyway. It’s better than waiting in the cold with him, right?"

Sonia's smile froze.