Ocean Blue Oath

Amelia sat on the sofa, clutching a yellowing wedding photo. In the picture, she was all smiles, nestled close to her husband, Jonathan. Back then, they seemed like the happiest couple in the world. However, reality, like a sharp knife, mercilessly shattered this beautiful illusion. The door banged open, and Jonathan walked in with a chilling aura. His eyes were filled with scorn and contempt, as if he were looking at a stranger. Amelia looked up and met his cold gaze, feeling a shiver run through her heart. "Amelia, we need to talk," Jonathan's voice was cold and piercing, like a dagger stabbing into her heart. Amelia took a deep breath, trying to remain calm. "Talk about what?" Jonathan pulled a stack of photos from his pocket and threw them harshly onto the coffee table. "These photos, you should be familiar with them, right?" Amelia's eyes fell on the photos, and her face instantly turned pale. In the photos, she was naked, entangled with a strange man. "No! This isn't true!" Amelia instinctively denied everything, never having imagined herself being unfaithful to her marriage. Jonathan's expression was terrifyingly cold. He spoke in a voice colder than Amelia had ever heard, "Valentine's Day last year, at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel." Amelia finally remembered. It was the night she and Jonathan went on a beach vacation a year ago. She had always thought it was Jonathan that night, but now she knew the truth. "How... how did you get these photos?" Amelia's voice trembled as she suddenly had a horrible realization. Jonathan sneered, "How did I get them? Of course, I hired someone to take them. Do you think it was me with you that night? No, it was someone else. I just wanted to see what your face would look like when you betrayed me." "No! Jonathan, I was drunk that night. You were with me; you should know I wouldn't do something like this," Amelia tried to explain. She remembered drinking a few glasses of wine with Jonathan at the bar, then feeling incredibly dizzy. Next, a warm body embraced her, and she thought it was Jonathan taking care of her. They went back to their hotel room and spent an unforgettable night together. The next morning, the first person she saw was Jonathan. "Stop making excuses! Amelia, the only thing you can do now is sign this divorce agreement and leave this house with some dignity." Jonathan pulled a divorce agreement from his bag and threw it in front of Amelia. Boom! Amelia's heart felt like it was being ripped apart. She looked at Jonathan's face, a face she had once loved deeply, now so strange and terrifying. She wanted to argue, to explain, but her throat felt like it was being cut, unbearably hoarse. "Everything was planned by you from the start, wasn't it? Just for today!" Amelia finally recalled everything that happened during that vacation. It all seemed so unusual and premeditated. "Don't say anything stupid, Amelia! Do you still want to argue? Then let's meet in court," Jonathan's voice grew colder. "Do you think the judge and jury will sympathize with you? A woman who cheated? No one will take your side." Tears welled up in Amelia's eyes. She bit her lip, refusing to let them fall. She had once believed that her love with Jonathan could overcome anything. But now she realized she was wrong. In this harsh world, love was fragile, so easily destroyed. "I didn't cheat!" Amelia finally couldn't help but shout. "I've always loved you, never changed. It's you who changed. You became cold and heartless, made me afraid." Jonathan sneered again. "Afraid? What do you have to be afraid of? Do you think I still love you like I did before? No! I don't love you anymore. I only care about my career and future now. And you, you've become an obstacle." Amelia’s heart shattered completely. She had once believed she married for love, but now she realized she had married a monster. This monster had once given her endless tenderness and care, but now he was pushing her into the abyss. “Why… why are you doing this?” Amelia’s voice was so weak it was almost inaudible. Jonathan didn’t answer her question. Instead, he pulled a check from his pocket and tossed it in front of her. “This is your alimony. Five thousand dollars should be enough to get you through for a while.” Amelia looked at the check, her heart filled with bitterness and helplessness. She had sacrificed so much for this family, and now all she got in return was this meager compensation. She lifted her head, looking at Jonathan’s indifferent face, and a surge of anger she had never felt before swelled within her. “I won’t sign!” Amelia shouted. “I won’t let you get away with this! I’ll find the evidence to prove your scheme!” Jonathan sneered, his eyes full of mockery. “Evidence? You seem to be overly confident in your innocence. Do you think I’d be foolish enough to admit that I planned all this? I’m merely exposing the disgraceful acts you’ve already committed.” He spread his hands as if showcasing his innocence and righteousness. “You brought this suffering upon yourself. Don’t delude yourself into thinking you can find any evidence to exonerate yourself because you have no chance.” Amelia clenched her fists, her nails digging deeply into her palms, as if searching for some strength to fight against this sudden blow. She lifted her head, her eyes glinting with determination. “I didn’t do it. I will find the truth.” Jonathan shrugged indifferently. “The truth? In this world, the truth is often the easiest thing to bury. Do you think you can find any truth? It’s nothing but wishful thinking.” A flicker of resolve crossed Amelia’s eyes. “I will find a way. I will make you see that you were wrong.” Jonathan saw the determination in Amelia’s eyes and felt a momentary unease. But he quickly regained his composure. He knew he couldn’t waste more time here. “This is your last chance, Amelia,” Jonathan said, standing up and straightening his clothes. “If you insist on this, then I’ll have to inform my lawyer. I’m confident the court will give me a fair judgment. And by then, perhaps your family in Texas will learn about their daughter’s infidelity. I’m sure they’d be very disappointed in you.” With those words, Jonathan turned and left the room. Amelia sat on the sofa, watching his figure grow distant, trembling with rage. She knew this was a blatant threat. When they had gotten married, they had received the blessings of both families. Everyone believed they were a match made in heaven, and they had vowed in a sacred church, in front of their family and friends, to be faithful to each other for life. After marriage, Amelia gave up her career to devote herself fully to the family, watching it thrive. Not long ago, she had even made preparations to welcome a new member into their family. However, Jonathan’s actions were like venomous fangs, brutally tearing apart the pure white vows they had made. Amelia calmly picked up the phone and dialed the number she had called countless times. She spoke softly, “You win, but this isn’t over.” Without waiting for a response, Amelia hung up the phone. In the living room, Amelia slowly picked up a pen and signed her name on the divorce agreement. Her handwriting was shaky and heavy, each stroke like a knife carving into her heart. After signing, she picked up the five-thousand-dollar check, her heart filled with irony and helplessness. After finishing everything, Amelia stood up, grabbed her luggage, and left the house that had once been filled with laughter and joy without looking back. Her shadow stretched long in the sunset, like a final farewell to the home she had once cherished. As she walked away, memories of happier times flooded her mind. The laughter, the shared dreams, the promises of forever—they all seemed so distant now, like echoes of another life. She remembered the nights they had spent planning their future, the excitement in Jonathan’s eyes when they talked about having children, the warmth of his embrace during the cold winter nights. But those memories were now tainted with betrayal. The man she had loved with all her heart had turned into a stranger, a monster who schemed against her. The love they once shared was now a weapon used to destroy her. She will never forget what happened today, and she vows to take back everything that belongs to her.