Chapter 3
1099 Words
I was the replacement after they broke up.
People looked at me with sympathy, but no one knew I was willing.
Maybe it was because I was ordinary, the unloved second daughter at home and an inconspicuous student at school.
When the favourite son helped me lift the heavy sports equipment, I felt ashamed and watched myself sink.
I shredded the diary, watching my teenage thoughts turn into pieces.
My heart was calm. Time makes a naive girl become a calm woman.
The next day, I hired a Japanese moving company to tidy the room.
I threw away lots of things: unfinished scarves, limited edition CDs and half-read science fiction books.
I decided to throw them all away.
The staff took a big box downstairs to throw them away.
I went downstairs with them. As I walked to the garden, I saw a familiar figure.
Henny?
Why is he here?
I hadn't started thinking about it when I saw a figure coming from another path towards Henny.
Salinla lives here too?
I frowned.
Salinla saw me.
She and Henny exchanged a glance, then she pulled him towards me.
"Elsa is here too?" Salinla's wavy hair was lifted by the breeze, revealing her lips.
I nodded, not wanting to talk much.
But she saw the discarded items and her eyes were sharp.
"This CD is Henny's favourite, right? And this book, he used to like it too. Why are they all thrown away?"
She knew Henny's hobbies well. She looked at him teasingly, "Have they had a quarrel?"
Henny's eyes were black, but he looked unhappy.
I said, "They're old, throw them away. He and I are divorced..."
"Forget it, I'll get new ones."
Henny interrupted and moved away. "Come here. I have something to tell you."
I didn't move.
Salina said, "Elsa, I know Henny best."
"He cares about you. Don't worry about what I and Henny say. Cherish the person in front of you."
Then she turned and left us some space.
Henny didn't move. I asked, "We're divorced, right?"
His eyes were like night water. "Elsa, it's just small things."
I found it amusing that he still thought I was divorcing out of anger.
I said, "I don't care how long you've known Miss Song or how much you gossip." Let's set a time.
"I don't care. Why bring this up with her?"
Henny looked down, "I'll give you time to sulk, but be discreet."
Discretion? Mrs. Henny was discreet.
Even if Henny doesn't come home, I'm on my own.
Because of discretion. I also have to deal with his gossip with other women.
I looked up and said, "I don't understand why I have to be discreet. Let Henny find someone else to do it."
I turned to leave but Henny held me on the shoulder. He was patient, "Don't forget, grandma's 70th birthday is coming up, you have to come with me."
I didn't move. I knew Henny didn't like me to stand by his side as Mrs. Henny.
In the past three years, I have never attended a major occasion with him at the same time.
Those black fans think I'm not favoured.
I shook my head and tried to be calm. "Henny, I'm not angry. I can't go to such occasions."
I walked away without looking at him.
I moved because I thought about Salina.
The new house is in the city, not big, and mostly old people live nearby.
I packed some clothes and moved in.
Cleaning the windowsill and looking at the trees outside made me feel relaxed.
The phone rang soon after. I was unsure if I should answer, but Diana's voice came from inside. She is Henny's grandmother.
"You forgot the old lady's birthday today?"
Diana is the kindest person in the Jiang family. I feel reluctant.
But I know the divorce will come out.
I told her about the divorce.
There was a moment of silence, but she still invited me.
I went to Diana's house in a muddle.
Others ignored me.
I saw Diana and congratulated her.
She held my hand and sighed.
The banquet was about to start, but Henny hadn't arrived.
People saw me with Diana and started whispering.
"It's been so many years, and Henny still doesn't want to go with her."
I'm used to this kind of talk and ignore it.
The guests were almost all here.
Diana complained about me while calling Henny.
Before the call was answered, the door opened.
Henny, dressed in a suit, had a cold look.
But he had a female companion.
Many people turned to look at me.
I was as usual.
Salinla smiled and gave her gift. "Grandma, I'm happy to see you. I hope you live a long life."
She spoke to me with meaning.
"Elsa, I thought you and Henny had a fight. He brought me here because you wouldn't come out of anger." "You won't be angry?"
I'm not involved in this, and I shook my head.
The banquet went on.
More guests came and I was pushed to the side. I wanted to find some peace.
But Salinla appeared beside me.
"Elsa, you've been with Henny for three years. Why don't you know the Jiang family?"
Someone on the side laughed at me.
"Everyone knows Mrs. Henny is just a figurehead. Henny doesn't want anything to do with her."
Her eyes were smiling. "I used to come here often when I was in college."
I didn't want to listen and interrupted her.
"I'm going to the bathroom."
Salinla's smile faded.
I turned around, but my skirt got caught.
I quickly fixed it, but there was a gasp behind me.
I turned and saw Salinla had fallen and the red wine had soaked her white dress.
People accused her straight away.
"A small stomach, jealous of Salinla and Henny's past, tripping her on purpose?"
There was a commotion here.
Henny helped Salinla to the ground.
"Are you okay?" Salinla shook her head. "I think she didn't do it on purpose."
I took a deep breath. "I didn't trip you."
Henny's eyes were dark. "Elsa, be more careful. You've disappointed me too much."
I felt lost when Henny accused me.
"If I didn't do it, I didn't do it."
"I don't like her."
"Holding hands and walking with a married man today, having dinner with him tomorrow, love is there, morality is not rare."
"You two are not good people."
"I don't need to do such a bad thing. I don't love you anymore."
"I don't love you. I don't love your ex-wife either."
- Writer
