When Love's Curtain Drops

They always used me for amusement—mocking me, looking down on me, endlessly persuading Diane to dump me.

Especially Erica Schmidt. She had provoked me face-to-face more than once. In her eyes, even if I were reborn eight hundred times, I could never be worthy of Diane.

Last summer, worried about Diane's safety, I secretly went to pick her up from work. But I hadn't expected to overhear Erica talking about me again, this time with Diane.

"Jerry? That pathetic loser? You actually like him? He has no skills or backbone. His relentless pursuit of you is just him trying to live off you. You'd be better off ignoring him."

Her words were sharp, venomous, and cut deep.

But Diane didn't defend me. She merely smiled faintly.

…

"Jerry, let's forget the past and have a drink."

Keith's words snapped me back to reality. In front of so many people, I couldn't embarrass him, so I raised my glass and drank it all in one gulp.

As I lifted my hand, my watch flashed into view.

Keith and Erica exchanged glances, grinning maliciously.

"Jerry, I didn't expect a lead surgeon to wear such an expensive watch. I guess I'll have to learn from you," Keith sneered.

"Keith," Erica chimed in, "doctors can't possibly earn that much. You should learn how he shamelessly clings to Diane instead."

They always attacked me openly.

"This watch is mine. It has nothing to do with anyone else," I said.

Erica laughed coldly. "Right. So all your groveling and flattery toward Diane—it's just for fame and money, isn't it? Wearing a watch worth over a hundred thousand dollars, and you still deny it?"

The room fell silent. Even Erica sensed the shift in atmosphere. She sneered, lifting her glass as she approached me.

"Jerry, you know I speak my mind. Let's be honest. You have no skills, no family background—how can you compare to Keith?"

"There's no question about that. But I probably shouldn't have said it out loud and embarrassed you like that. So I'll drink three glasses as an apology," I said.

The air in the room turned suffocating, heavy enough to choke on.

Diane stepped in, trying to smooth things over.

"Erica, you've had enough to drink. Let me help you rest next door."

But Erica wasn't placated. She pressed harder.

"Diane, don't force yourself. You yourself said he can't compare to Keith, didn't you?"

All eyes were on me. They expected me to erupt like a clown, jumping and yelling in anger.

But I only smiled calmly. I pulled out the divorce agreement and handed it to Diane.

"Perfect. This settles everything for you."

Diane sneered, thinking I was bluffing, and flipped through it dismissively.

"Jerry, haven't you played enough of these games?"

Then a card slipped from the agreement. Her eyes widened instantly.

"Groom: Jerry Maxwell… Bride: Audrey Hendricks?"

"Yes. It's my wedding invitation."

Diane went pale. Panic overtook her, her voice trembling.

"Why didn't you consult me about this? You're my husband! How can you hold a wedding ceremony with another woman?"

I smiled faintly, unfazed.

"It's just a ceremony. It's not like we're going to sleep together. What's there to panic about?"