Fifty-Five Divorces Later, I Walked Away to an Island

Chapter 3

Serena's face lit up with a radiant smile as she accepted it, while my eyes welled up.

"I'm allergic to pollen."

Last year on my birthday, David arrived a full hour late because he had flown to another country to accompany Serena to a competition.

When he finally showed up empty-handed, I angrily quarreled with him.

"You could've at least brought me flowers—"

David retorted without batting an eye, claiming he was allergic to pollen.

That night, furious, I pretended to pack my bags to return home. He lounged calmly on the sofa, glancing at me. "Then let's get divorced."

It marked our 54th attempt at divorce.

He felt guilty afterward and bought me a diamond necklace as compensation. But that belated gesture had long lost whatever value it was supposed to have.

"David."

I called out to him, my tone colder than ever before.

"Let's talk."

His motion of shielding Serena from drinks froze, as if he already knew what I was about to say.

I crumpled the documents in my bag over and over. Taking a deep breath, I handed them to him.

"Div..."

Before I could finish, David waved his hand dismissively, shoving the papers back at me.

"Enough already! Wasn't last week's issue settled? I've told you—this competition means everything to Serena. Can't you just accommodate her? I already submitted her registration. It's useless to give these to me now."

My heart swayed precariously, like the eight-layer champagne tower behind me.

Back in college, I was the one who stayed the longest in the practice room, playing my cello until the very end. Every night after they locked up, I'd come downstairs, and David would wait to take me for midnight snacks.

After I won first place in the intercollegiate competition, he rallied the dessert shop owner and every student present to throw me a grand surprise party.

But since meeting Serena, his thoughts revolved only around her, and he constantly accused me of harboring hostility toward her.

I wanted to say more when Serena's shrill cry cut through. "David!"

"What's wrong?"

"I spilled the wine all over my dress! What do I do..."

Over such a trivial matter, David fussed over her like a child, wiping the stain himself while soothing her. "Relax, Cecilia can run home and get you the same one. It's not like she wears it anyway."

That last remark was aimed squarely at me. Standing within a stone's throw from them, I stood frozen, as if I were a stranger.

"Thanks, Cecilia—" Serena stuck her tongue out at me while slipping her arm around David's waist.

No one spoke up for me. Their amused glances bounced among the three of us like spectators at a circus.

"Why are you still standing here? Go!"

"But that was the dress from our engagement banquet..." I forced out the words with difficulty, searching David's face for even a trace of emotion toward me.

"We've been married for years. Why make a fuss over this?"

Serena covered his mouth with her hand, pretending to generously "rescue" me with her pitiful gaze.

"Oh well, if Cecilia doesn't want to, forget it... After all, I'm just an outsider. I wouldn't want to cause trouble between you and Cecilia..."

David's face darkened. The moment he heard "outsider," he immediately snapped at me.

"What's this outsider nonsense? We're family. Cecilia, don't embarrass Serena."

Seeing me standing still and silent, like a piece of wood, his tone softened with guilt.

"Alright, let her have that dress. I'll get you a new one."

Swallowing the humiliation of this public dismissal, I left the banquet and immediately called my lawyer.

"Prepare all the documents for a divorce lawsuit."

Perhaps it was for the best—saving us the trouble of further discussion.

No one would mourn, and no one could turn back.

The flight would be long, and I'd already made all necessary arrangements before takeoff.

In the final minute, I deleted all of David's contacts and photos. I closed my eyes and sank into a deep sleep.