Chapter 2
608 Words
The next morning, Gavin took me shopping.
He said it was his way of making up for missing our anniversary.
Inside a luxury boutique, he carefully picked out clothes and held them against me one by one.
A sales associate smiled warmly. "Your husband is so sweet. Men who treat their wives this well are rare these days."
I forced a smile.
In our social circle, Gavin was the gold standard, the perfect husband.
My friends always complained that their husbands hated shopping. They told me I should count myself lucky to have a man who voluntarily took me shopping and even picked out clothes for me.
What they didn't know was that Gavin never chose clothes I actually liked.
Just like he controlled every meal I ate and every detail of my life.
He never cared what I wanted. Everything was chosen according to his preferences.
At first, I tried to protest. I'd pout and complain. But Gavin would simply pat my head and say, "Be good. Don't make a scene. I'm doing this for your own good."
Eventually, I believed him. I convinced myself his control was love. I even felt proud that he cared so much about every aspect of my life.
Now that the illusion had shattered, every memory became clearer. Every so-called act of devotion felt more suffocating than the last.
During lunch, Gavin cut my steak for me and slid the plate across the table.
"There's a Phoenix Art Exhibition in Paris next month. You've always wanted to see it, right? I've already got you the ticket."
He paused. "I was supposed to go with you, but the company is swamped right now. I can't get away."
What he didn't know was that whenever he lied, he unconsciously twisted the wedding ring on his finger.
I looked away and swallowed a bite of steak. "It's okay. I'll go by myself."
Relief flashed across his face. He reached over and pinched my cheek. "I knew my wife would understand."
When Gavin left for the restroom, I pulled out my phone.
An email sat quietly in my inbox. An admission offer from the Paris Academy of Fine Arts. It was my dream school.
For years, everyone around me assumed I'd eventually study in Paris.
I thought so too.
Back then, I'd already received an offer. But Gavin looked at me and said only four words, "I need you here."
And I stayed without hesitation. I stayed through his failures and comeback.
When one of his enemies sought revenge, I was beaten so badly that I ended up in intensive care.
I spent three days unconscious.
When I finally woke up and saw Gavin asleep beside my hospital bed, I thought I had no regrets.
Not even when my mentor couldn't understand my decision. Not even when she stopped speaking to me.
Later, I quit my career entirely. I became the woman waiting at home for her husband.
Only to discover that our marriage was fake from the very beginning.
While I waited faithfully for him to come home, Gavin was in another woman's bed.
I stared at the admission letter and let out a slow breath.
Maybe this was a blessing. Since we were never legally married, I wouldn't even need a divorce.
The moment I discovered his betrayal, I reapplied to the Academy.
My portfolio and awards spoke for themselves. The acceptance came quickly.
Without hesitation, I clicked "Accept Offer". Then I locked my phone and looked out the window.
This time, I wouldn't stay for Gavin. I wouldn't live as an extension of him.
From now on, I would live for myself.
- Writer
