All That's Left Are Memories

Chapter 4 Are You Insane?

She wanted to become smarter. She wanted, just once in her life, to stop being looked at that way.

Her phone suddenly vibrated.

It was a message from Russell.

Russell: Sorry, Cynthia. I was a little harsh earlier today. Don't take it to heart.

Her fingers trembled around the phone. Tears filled her eyes again.

So he still cared a little about her.

Before she could respond, another message appeared.

Russell: I hope you can apologize to Jessica. You embarrassed her in the office today, and she still has to work here. You understand, right?

Cynthia's heart ached. He had only reached out for the sake of another woman.

Her fingers shook as she typed.

Cynthia: If that's why you contacted me, then forget it.

Russell: Cynthia, don't be so petty. If you did something wrong, you should apologize.

Cynthia had never believed she was in the wrong, and she certainly had no reason to apologize.

Cynthia: I did nothing wrong. I won't apologize.

Russell's response came quickly. The text radiated his icy detachment.

Russell: Looks like I spoiled you too much. I'm suspending all your credit cards immediately. When you're ready to apologize, come talk to me.

Instantly, a barrage of bank notifications flooded her screen. Every card had been frozen.

Cynthia stood rooted to the spot.

They had been married for two years. And he could really be this ruthless?

Back then, her parents had strongly opposed their relationship. She had begged them to support him financially and promised she would be happy. After Russell became successful, she never asked her family for money again. She only wanted them to believe she was living well.

Now, one word from him had severed her entire financial support.

Cynthia wiped the tears from her face.

If the divorce papers were already signed, then this was just practice for walking away.

She began listing the luxury items in the house on resale platforms.

Most of the items were brand new and priced extremely low. They sold out in seconds.

Around the same time, Jessica's i********: kept updating with brand-new luxury bags and romantic candlelit dinners.

In the live photo's audio, Russell's gentle laughter could be heard clearly.

Cynthia's hand trembled around her phone.

They had signed the divorce agreement. But the legal waiting period wasn't over yet. They were still husband and wife.

She directly video-called Russell. As expected, he declined it.

So she sent a message to Jessica instead.

Cynthia: Russell and I are still legally married. You just graduated from college. Are you really willing to ruin your future by becoming the other woman? You deserve better.

It was her final warning.

She remembered when Jessica first joined the company. Russell had praised her endlessly. "The new secretary is smart and capable. Top university graduate. She has a bright future."

Cynthia had admired her at the time.

'If only I could be that outstanding,' she had thought.

She never imagined that Jessica's outstanding nature would eventually destroy her marriage.

Her phone suddenly rang. The screen showed Jessica's name. But the voice that came through was Russell's, furious.

"Are you insane?" he shouted. "When did you become so vicious? Saying something like that to a young girl. Do you have any idea how much damage you could do? Maybe you don't understand that. But Jessica does!"

The words exploded in Cynthia's ears. She stood frozen for a long time before the meaning finally sank in.

Because she was stupid, she deserved to absorb every ounce of pain and humiliation.

Because Jessica was smart, she was worthy of his absolute protection.

Pain surged through her chest. Cynthia covered her mouth to keep from sobbing out loud. Her voice trembled when she finally spoke.

"I'm vicious? Then why are you the one answering her phone? Russell!"

"We are together purely for work," he said coldly. "You are always so paranoid. As my wife, could you stop being unreasonable for once?"

When she didn't respond, his tone softened slightly.

"So... Have you thought it through? Are you ready to apologize?"

"Russell!" she shouted. "You bastard! I don't want to be your wife anymore!"

She hung up and burst into tears.

Before Jessica appeared, Russell had never spoken harshly to her. "You wouldn't understand these things. If I spoke harshly, how would you figure it out?"

All the tenderness he once showed her now hurt her deeply.

Two more weeks remained until the cooling-off period ended. When that day came, she would leave Russell forever.