The Seventh Year of Marriage

In the seventh year of our marriage, the whole city was whispering about Jake Gesner's secret son.
Now, that son and his mother were sitting across from me in my own home. I said nothing.
Today was the anniversary of my daughters death.
And this was Jakes idea of comfort: parading his mistress and her child through our front door.
I gathered my daughters last belongings and laid the divorce papers on the table.

1
Back from the cemetery, I shrugged off my trench coat.
Jake was lounging on the sofa, one leg crossed over the other, his long, elegant fingers dancing across a tablet.
I walked over to him, my voice a raw whisper. I want a divorce.
He set the tablet down, rubbing the bridge of his nose. The living room was silent; hed heard me.
Was he already calculating how to get rid of me with the least amount of fuss? His posture was stiff, a knot of discomfort.
You havent spoken a single word to me in a year, and this is the first thing you want to say?
I didnt know what else there was to say. I just nodded, feeling helpless.
Jakes lips thinned, his fingers drumming a restless rhythm on the sofa cushion. He was weighing his options.
The rich aroma of dinner wafted from the kitchen, but instead of answering, Jake rose and moved to the dining table. The housekeeper served two bowls of rice, calling out softly to me, Mrs. Gesner.
Those words shattered the last of my defenses.
Jake, I said, my voice shaking. Lets get a divorce.
Fine.
This time, he didnt evade. A wave of relief washed over me.
Ive already contacted a lawyer.
He picked up his bowl and began to eat, his movements deliberate and unhurried. You dont need to inform me about things like that.
Id heard that line so many times before. When choosing a new rug, picking out bedsheets. Now, our divorce was just another household chore.
I turned to go upstairs. As my foot touched the first step, Jakes phone rang. He glanced at my retreating figure before answering.
Is this Jake Gesner? Your wife and son were in a car accident. Please get to the hospital immediately.
Jakes face darkened instantly. He grabbed his coat, only then noticing I was still standing on the stairs.
I started to move again, but he called out my name, his voice sharp. Nora.
Arent you going to ask where Im going?
I turned slowly, forcing a brittle smile. Does it matter?
Hearing the flat emptiness in my tone, he let out a cold, bitter laugh. Youre really something, Nora.
He wrenched the door open and slammed it behind him.
A gust of wind swept through the room, catching the family portrait our daughter, Mia, had drawn. It fluttered to the floor, and my vision blurred with tears.
Mia, do you know, too? This thing we called a family its been gone for a long time.
Just as the first tear fell, my lawyer called.
I had just finished the conversation when the doorbell rang. The housekeeper opened it to reveal Jakes parents.
What is wrong with you two? Making such an ugly scene for everyone to see! His mother, Eleanor, began berating me the second she saw me.
His father, Richard, stood beside her, his hands clasped behind his back. How do you plan to handle this? he demanded.
I uttered a single word. Divorce.
Youre both young, dont be so impulsive, Richard began, joining the campaign. Jake is just playing around with that woman outside. Hell come back to you eventually.
The unspoken message hung in the air: have another child, and youll tie him down for good.
Suddenly, Eleanor threw her phone down in front of me with a cold snort. I picked it up. Tabloid pictures and sensational headlines told the whole story.
[Unknown Dancer and Secret Son Move In: A Bid for Status or Pushing the Original Wife Out?]
[The Next Gesner Heir Has Been Decided!]
The accompanying photo was of Jake on a yacht with the other woman, Vivian, and her son, celebrating a birthday. Expensive gifts littered the table. The mother and son were wrapped around Jake, smiling sweetly for the camera.
The online comments were even more vicious than the article.
[The Gesners only have this one heir now. She can hang up her dancing shoes and marry into the dynasty.]
[What can you do? She gave him a son. The ultimate trump card.]
I handed the phone back to Eleanor with a faint smile.
Look what the media is saying! Even a woman off the street has more fight in her than you! she snapped, her brow furrowed in disapproval.
My voice was hoarse. So, should I be congratulating him?
Eleanor slammed the phone on the floor, shaking her head at me in disappointment. If you two had just had another baby sooner, would things have ever gotten this bad?
Jake cant be without a child. Have another one. It would be better for both of you.
I lowered my head, my lips pressed into a firm line as I shook my head no.
Eleanor clutched her chest, sinking onto the sofa, gasping for breath.
A divorce is not a small thing. Have you and Jake truly thought this through? Richards voice was laced with disbelief, his hands still clasped behind his back. If you divorce him, you will never see Mia again.
He let the threat hang in the air. Dont forget, Mia is buried in the Gesner family plot.

2
A thick film of tears clouded my vision.
I looked up at Richard and laughed, a bitter, broken sound. Was the Gesner family reputation so important they would use their dead granddaughter as a bargaining chip?
He brought up Mia, yet hed completely forgotten that today was the anniversary of her death.
On the way back from the cemetery, I had stopped at Mias favorite clothing store. A little girl who looked so much like her was standing by the entrance. For a heart-stopping moment, I thought it was her. I wanted to run to her, to hold her, to tell her how much I missed her.
Then a young couple walked up and swept her into their arms, kissing her cheeks with adoration. I watched, mesmerized, until the reality crashed down on me. It was just a memory.
Eleanor, having caught her breath, came over and took my hand. Nora, your father-in-law and I only want whats best for you. Dont be so stubborn.
Divorce, it seemed, was my mistake.
He was just teasing you before, dont take it to heart. We were heartbroken about Mia, too.
And how did they express that heartbreak? By pushing Jake to quit drinking, quit smoking, and get in shape, all so he could try for another child with me sooner.
Their brand of grief was a fresh wound, carving pieces out of me.
I refused Jake again and again. And then, the texts from Vivian started. Pictures of their happy little family of three. The images burned my eyes, a pain so sharp it stole my breath.
It felt like Mias death had only affected me.
I ran from the house. When I returned, it was empty, lifeless. Hed left a note, telling me he wasn't coming back.
Maam, Mr. Gesner told us to tell you hes going where hes appreciated.
He also said hes sick and tired of looking at your dead-inside face every day
That evening, I changed and went to the Gesner family estate. They were hosting a party; my attendance was not optional.
Standing at the entrance, I saw Jake with Vivian. When he noticed me, he sauntered over, hands in his pockets.
Nora, let me introduce you. This is Vivian, and this is Leo.
I nodded, my face a blank mask. Eleanors expression was thunderous, but it softened slightly when she saw the little boy, Leo.
Go get our guest a glass of water, she instructed me. And bring out some snacks.
I did as I was told. The house was crowded. Jake moved through it, a glass of champagne in hand, networking.
Vivian cornered me. Your marriage to Jake is over. Why wont you just sign the papers?
I handed her the glass of water. Jake wont agree to it.
At that, she knocked the glass from my hand. Thats impossible! You must be the one clinging to him!
The sound of shattering glass drew everyones attention. I called a housekeeper to clean up the mess and turned to leave.
Suddenly, Vivian grabbed my arm, her grip tight. Youd better divorce him soon, she hissed.
I struggled, but she squeezed harder.
What was that around her neck?
I looked closer, and my blood ran cold. I ripped the necklace from her.
It was Mias. The last birthday present we ever gave her. Why was it around this womans neck?
Vivian, seeing shed been discovered, just smirked. Surprised? Jake gave it to me.
Her face twisted into a grotesque, triumphant smile. He said things are only meaningful on the living. And your daughter shes dead because you couldnt take proper care of her!
I raised my hand and slapped her across the face with all the strength I had left.
Nora!
There are guests everywhere! Are you determined to ruin this entire evening? Jake appeared from nowhere, shielding Vivian.
Leo burst into tears, his wails defending his mother. Jakes face grew even darker, his eyes cold enough to freeze.
I held up the necklace, my gaze fixed on him, my heart breaking all over again. This was Mias birthday gift. Are you going to take even this from her?
Can a necklace bring Mia back? he retorted. Its better to focus on the people who are still here.

3
His words struck me dumb.
Jakes cruelty plunged me into an abyss. My vision swam.
I snapped the chain. Just like this necklace, the bond between Jake and me needed to be broken for good.
Mias arrival was the greatest gift of my life. Every morning, Jake and Mia would surprise me with little things, eagerly waiting for my reaction. I would cook for them, basking in their praise.
That life came to a screeching halt a year ago.
I confronted Jake about the women he was seeing. We fought. He stormed out, furious. Mia tried to stop him with her tears, but for the first time, they didnt work. He left, more determined than ever, and didnt come home for a long time.
After that, his scandals were all over my phone.
Late one night, he finally came back, reeking of alcohol. Another fight erupted. He slammed the door, and in a moment of madness, I chased after him.
Mia, quiet as a shadow, followed me. We were both in the car when it crashed.
When I woke up, there was a death certificate on my bedside table. The hospital said they couldnt reach Jake.
Neither of us, Mias parents, were there for her final journey.
On the television in my room, a news report showed Jake on a yacht, partying with some young starlet.
My eyes were vacant. With a trembling hand, I dialed his number.
When are you coming home?
What, you saw the news? he sneered. Feeling insecure seeing me with all these women younger and prettier than you?
I was silent, a lump forming in my throat.
Did Mia put you up to this? He actually chuckled, proud of himself.
My lips trembled. I couldnt form the words to tell him she was gone.
The starlet whined for his attention in the background. Im talking to my wife, shut your mouth! he roared at her, his tone shifting in an instant. She covered her face and ran off, crying.
I mumbled something, and finally heard him say he was coming home right now. But what good would that do?
Dont bother, I said, my voice dead. Have fun out there.
I already sent her away, what more do you want? he demanded, his voice laced with frustration.
I said each word slowly, distinctly. Mia. Is. Dead.
That day, for the first time, I saw guilt and terror on Jakes face. He rushed to the hospital and held me, murmuring reassurances. His voice was filled with a pain that mirrored my own, and we wept in each others arms.
Back then, he told me Mias death wasnt my fault.
Less than a month later, he changed his story. He said it was all my fault.
You were her mother. You failed to protect her. How is that any different from killing her yourself?
I spent another night in Mias room.
The door opened again. It was Jake. He took a step forward, reaching out to touch my head. I flinched away, telling him to get out of her room.
Nora, about the party Im sorry, he said, his voice soft as he opened his arms. It wont happen again.
I looked at him with swollen, red-rimmed eyes filled with disgust.
He tried to pull me to him, and I bit his hand.
The gentleness vanished from his face, replaced by pure rage. Its been a year! Havent you moved on yet? he yelled. Just because Mia is gone doesnt mean our lives have to stop!
Do you have any idea how disgusting it is to see you walking around like a zombie every single day?
He punched Mias small desk, then kicked over her toy box. His eyes were bloodshot, his voice cracking.
Nora, the reason were at this point its all your fault.
You deserve this.

4
The door slammed shut, and silence returned.
I cleaned up the mess hed made and went back to my room, curling into a ball on the bed.
You deserve this. Id seen those words before.
[Mr. Gesner loved his daughter so much, how dare Mrs. Gesner blame him?]
[The fact that he hasnt divorced her is his greatest act of mercy. She deserves all of this.]
[The Gesners treated her so well, and she couldnt even watch her own child. Of course he cheated. She deserved it.]
[Good, if they cant make it work, they should just split. Mr. Gesner will take care of Vivian and her son sooner or later.]
[Yeah, hurry up and give up your spot as Mrs. Gesner. If you dont want it, someone else does.]
Did I really deserve all this?
Id lost track of how long it had been since Id seen Jake. But I didnt need to see him to know where he was. His relationship with Vivian was better than I imagined. With him as her patron, she was no longer some obscure dancer. She was suddenly a renowned artist.
I only understood why Eleanor called when she got to the point. When Jakes reputation suffers, you, his wife, are the one people whisper about.
I nodded distractedly. I didnt care anymore. The tabloids hadnt used kind words for me either.
Eleanors voice turned hesitant. Can you two really not work it out?
Clutching the phone, I remained silent.
She sighed. If you had just sat down and talked with him earlier, this all could have been resolved. She started complaining, recounting the past. I told him not to marry you back then, but he wouldnt listen. And look at you now.
I held the phone away from my ear, hearing Richard in the background telling her to calm down. How can I not be angry? If they had just lived their lives properly, would I be like this?
She grew more agitated, her voice rising as she pleaded with me. Just talk to him, Nora. Settle things. Please?
Seeing my continued silence, she sighed again and hung up.
The one she needed to plead with was never me. It was her son.
After hanging up, the housekeeper brought me my coat. Maam, the driver is ready.
I suddenly remembered I had one more thing to do today.
This is the jade pendant your daughter was wearing during the accident. Weve repaired it, the jeweler said gently. But no matter how much we fix it, it can never be the same as it was.
I nodded. Repairing the jade was just a small comfort, a way to feel close to her.
I slipped the pendant into my pocket. Before I could turn, I heard Vivians voice. Nora, what are you doing here?
She was with Leo, browsing the jade displays.
I studied them. Leo clung to Vivian, looking scared. Jake said a child should wear something for protection, to ensure they grow up safe and sound, she explained, though it sounded more like a taunt.
Jake paid for their selection and then effortlessly lifted Leo into his arms. His face was unreadable, his gaze flickering away when it met mine.
My phone buzzed. A message from my lawyer. The divorce papers had been sent to Jake.
Why havent you responded to the lawyer? I held up my phone, my voice calm. Asher, the appraiser, had returned. I wasnt going to listen to any more of Jakes excuses. I knew he was just ignoring it, like always.
Mr. Asher, I said, turning to the man who had just re-entered the shop. I have some time today. Shall we go now?
Mr. Asher smiled warmly and nodded.
Nora!
Jakes voice cut through the air behind me. I stopped, and turned to face him.

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