Time for Me to Go, Time for You to Burn

Ayla's POV

However, Shane had said, "It would be better for you to be more stable now that we're married."

I gave up an opportunity to go abroad for further studies and let go of my dream.

After having a child, I was stuck at home. I had to sacrifice my time for work and rest for the family, but my contribution was not acknowledged.

Instead, Shane and David always dismissed me, day in and day out.

In the end, they chose to use another woman to trample all over my dignity.

I took a deep breath and went to the institute director's office to hand in my resignation.

The director's name was Betty Green. She was nonplussed, but nodded without much surprise.

"You should spread your wings and fly. Have you thought about where to go and when?"

I touched the acceptance letter in my bag. It was an offer letter to the Department of Architecture at Camford University. "Bretia, the day after tomorrow."

While I was packing up my things, my colleague Linda Manfeld came over. "Ayla, I heard that you're going to Bretia. What about Mr. Norton and David?"

There was a framed photo of the three of us with our arms around each other on my desk. I put it face down, plunging the figures on it into shadow.

"We're getting divorced. They'll have a new wife and mother, respectively."

Linda hesitated and did not say anything in the end.

By the time I left the design institute, it was late at night.

When I got home, the motion-sensored lights flicked on, and I saw the suitcase in the living room at once.

Shane was stuffing David's jacket into it, while the latter was standing beside him in anticipation, hugging his new schoolbag. It had a dinosaur on it.

At the door, there was a gift box embossed with the logo of a luxury brand.

Ruth had recently posted it on her social media, saying that it was the newest bag she wanted.

Shane did not look up when he heard me come home. "I have to go on a sudden business trip, and I'm taking David with me."

His phone suddenly rang, and he answered it swiftly.

The sound of Ruth's laughter trickled out of the phone, and Shane's eyes became half-lidded, which made him look like a cat that was being stroked.

I was all too familiar with that expression. He had once looked like that five years ago, when he was courting me.

When he saw that I was looking at him, his smile dropped at once, and he hung up.

"You don't want to bother with David now anyway. You won't object to me taking him out, will you?"

I did not say anything. I did not argue or protest.

Shane tied his shoelaces deftly and went out with David.

The security door shut behind him with such a loud bang that it jolted our wedding photo from where it hung on the wall.

The sound of the glass smashing seemed unusually crisp and satisfying.

I crouched down and picked up the shards piece by piece. I suddenly felt immensely relaxed.

When I was about to go to sleep, I saw Ruth's post on social media pop up all of a sudden.

The caption read: "Someone who truly loves you will remember what you like."

In the accompanying photo, David was sandwiched between them while Ruth leaned her head affectionately on Shane's shoulder.

They looked like a happy family of three.

The limited-edition handbag on the dining table was the one Shane took when he left.

The comment section was very lively, as if it were their wedding.

Shane's best friend, Zack Harrington, was taking the lead: "You have to spend ten thousand in the store before you're even allowed to buy this handbag! Shane spent a huge sum just to make Ruth happy!"

For some reason, I suddenly thought about my birthday last year, and how Shane had given me a silk scarf bought at a discount.

Zack had also been present at the time, and he'd said teasingly, "A silk scarf that only costs 100 dollars? Are you just going to fob Ayla off like that, Shane?"

Shane had said calmly, "She likes things that are discounted."

I had gripped the silk scarf without saying anything.

They had no idea that I was always hovering in the sale section because I wanted to save money and buy better things for Shane and David.

However, Shane's friends had never shown me any respect as his wife.

Not only did they look down on me, but they always said privately, "Ruth is three years younger than Ayla is. She graduated from a renowned university and is very socially savvy."