Ten Pineapples

Watching Rupert finish his tenth pineapple, I coldly presented the divorce papers. Rupert, were getting a divorce.

Rupert paused, his hand still reaching for a napkin to wipe his fingers. Darling, whats this about now?

Youve eaten ten pineapples in three days, I stated.

Rupert chuckled, reaching out to stroke my hair as he always did. These past few days, the pineapples havent been that good, so I didnt save you any. How about this, to make amends with my princess, Ill take you shopping for a designer bag tomorrow? What do you say?

I lowered my eyes, a bitter taste in my mouth. In three years of marriage, he had never once lost his temper with me. Even when I threw petty tantrums, he would patiently buy me gifts, apologize, and make amends. But this time, I stepped back, calmly avoiding his hand. No need. Im just tired of it.

Please sign quickly. If we get the divorce papers finalized now, youll still make it for your business trip tonight.

After all, the person who made him eat ten pineapples in three days was about to arrive at our doorstep.

Ruperts smile froze. He looked at me, incredulous. Youre divorcing me because I ate ten pineapples?

I turned and stared at him intently. Yes, exactly because of that.

Rupert tugged irritably at his tie. Alice Grey, stop fooling around. This business trip is important. Be a good girl and wait for me to come home.

I looked at him coldly. Im not fooling around.

Rupert frowned, about to say something, when the front door beeped with a password entry. Chelseas voice drifted in.

Rupert, the cars downstairs. The CEO for this acquisition is very particular, we need to get there early to prepare the documents Oh, Alice, youre home too. She slipped off her shoes, a pair of matching pink slippers that belonged to Rupert and me, and greeted me with a smile.

Seeing Chelsea, Ruperts brows instantly relaxed. He glanced at me, his tone softening slightly. Chelseas here to pick me up. Alice, lets talk about whatever it is when I get back from my trip. Dont let outsiders laugh at us.

Chelsea naturally walked over to Rupert, reaching up to straighten his slightly crooked tie. Her movements were intimate, as practiced as if they were the true owners of this house.

Alice, dont be mad at Rupert. Chelsea smiled at me as she adjusted his tie. Ruperts been pulling all-nighters for days to rush this project. His appetite hasnt been good, so he just wanted something sweet and sour.

I specially arranged for those pineapples to be flown in from the south. I didnt expect Rupert to like them so much. She paused, her voice playful. I accidentally overheard you arguing at the door. Alice, youre not angry over such a small thing, are you?

I watched Rupert let her fuss over him, showing no intention of maintaining distance. I had brought it up beforeChelsea was the daughter of his grandfathers war buddy, and his assistant, but there was still a clear line between men and women. What had Rupert said then?

He said, Chelsea lost her parents when she was young. Shes innocent and sees me as a big brother. If I push her away, how heartbroken would she be? Alice, youre the most generous. Dont fuss over a young girl.

I was generous for three years. In return, he gave all his patience and boundaries to another woman.

Im not angry, I said, looking at them, my voice very soft. So, lets get a divorce.

Chelseas hand froze. She gasped, covering her mouth. Divorce? Alice, youre not serious, are you? Rupert is so good to you. How can you treat marriage as a joke?

Ruperts face completely darkened. He ripped off his tie, throwing it heavily onto the sofa. Alice Grey, are you ever going to be done with this?

In front of Chelsea, you just have to make me lose face, dont you? Ive explained it. The pineapples are because my appetite isnt good, and Chelsea is doing her job. Cant you be sensible?

The disappointment in his eyes stung my heart. In these three years, the word I heard most often was sensible.

When Chelsea got a minor cut in the middle of the night, he abandoned me on my birthday to rush to the hospital, telling me to be sensible. When Chelsea had a breakup, he canceled our wedding anniversary trip to comfort her, telling me to be sensible.

Now, even when I brought up divorce, he expected me to be sensible for his sake.

Sign the papers, and Ill be sensible, I said, handing him the pen.

Rupert stared at me for a few seconds, then let out a cold laugh. Fine, Alice Grey, youve really grown up. He walked away without even glancing at the agreement. Since thats how it is, lets both cool down. Ill stay at the office for a while. When youre done with your tantrum, Ill come back.

Chelsea hurried after him. As she passed me, she paused, whispering in a voice only we could hear, Alice, some things, if theyre not yours, holding onto them is useless. Pineapples are like that, and people are too. Then, her heels clicking, she caught up with Rupert. Rupert, wait for me, you forgot your stomach medicine

The front door slammed shut. The house fell back into a deathly silence. I looked at the unsigned divorce papers on the coffee table. I didnt take anything else. I left the house alone.

This time, I wanted nothing. And I truly wouldnt be coming back.

I moved back to my parents house. In the past three years, I had rarely stayed here, busy taking care of Ruperts every need. My parents expressions shifted from surprise to alarm when they saw me walk in with my suitcase.

Alice, whats wrong? Did you argue with Rupert? My mother took my suitcase, cautiously probing.

I shook my head, tiredly changing my shoes. No argument. I just wanted to come back and stay for a few days.

Did Rupert bully you? My father slammed down his newspaper. If that boy dared to treat you badly, I wouldnt let him get away with it!

No, I forced a smile. Hes on a business trip. I was just bored at home by myself. I hadnt figured out how to tell them about the divorce. In my parents eyes, Rupert was the ideal son-in-law, a rare gem. Young, accomplished, gentle, and utterly devoted to me. Even during holidays, Rupert was unfailingly polite, charming all our relatives. In everyones eyes, marrying him was a step up, a fall into a life of good fortune.

I was too tired to explain. I just wanted a good nights sleep. But even that wish was a luxury. Less than half an hour after lying down, Rupert called. I didnt want to answer, so I hung up. He called again. I hung up again. By the fifth time, I sighed and answered.

Alice Grey, where are you? Ruperts voice on the other end was choked with anger, the background noisy, like a social gathering.

Im at my parents house, I replied calmly.

Who told you to go back there? Ruperts voice rose a few octaves. Im only gone for two days on a business trip, and you run back to your parents to complain? How old are you, dont you have any self-respect? My fingers tightened slightly around the phone.

I didnt complain. I just moved out.

Moved out? What do you mean? Rupert seemed startled, then his tone became even more impatient. Are you really going to separate from me over a few measly pineapples? Alice Grey, my patience has limits.

Mr. King! Chelseas sweet voice came from the other end. Mr. Thompson is toasting you. Please come over quickly. Followed by a burst of cheers.

Mr. King is such a busy man, checking in with home even during a business dinner?

Is the wife checking up on him? Let Assistant Chelsea explain to the wife.

Rupert covered the mouthpiece, his voice lowering slightly. Im entertaining right now. I dont have time for your nonsense. Theres a charity gala tomorrow night. Dress appropriately, and Ill pick you up. Dont give me any attitude. This is important. With that, he hung up without giving me a chance to refuse.

Looking at the darkened screen, I felt no ripple of emotion. In the past, even a slightly harsh tone from him would have left me sad for half a day, making me wonder if I had truly done something wrong. Now, I just found it amusing. In his eyes, my departure, my divorce papers, were all just petty attempts to gain attention. All he had to do was offer a small olive branch, and I would gratefully crawl back.

Unfortunately, this time he was wrong.

The next evening, I didnt go to the charity gala as he expected. I turned off my phone and went to the cinema alone to watch a film I had long wanted to see. Rupert never liked these art-house films, finding them boring. Every time I wanted to go, Id end up compromising and watching a commercial blockbuster with him. Or, sometimes, Id be stood up entirely because of a call from Chelsea.

It was already 10 PM when the movie let out. I turned on my phone, and a barrage of missed calls and messages flooded in. Not just from Rupert, but from my parents, and even from Chelsea.

Rupert: [Where are you? Im downstairs at your parents house, and no ones home?]

[Alice Grey, are you doing this on purpose? Are you happy to embarrass me in front of my business partners?]

[Call me back immediately!]

Chelsea: [Alice, youre too willful. So many CEOs brought their wives tonight. Rupert was all alone and kept getting asked questions. My heart went out to him.]

[Luckily, I wore a gown today, so I temporarily filled in as his female companion. Otherwise, Rupert would have been completely humiliated tonight.]

[Photo.jpg]

In the photo, Rupert, in a black suit, looked handsome and distinguished. Chelsea, arm in arm with him, wore a light blue mermaid gown, her smile radiant. That gown was a custom design I had admired last month, but Rupert had said it was too revealing for me. Now, Chelsea wore it. They stood together, a perfect couple, like a pair made for each other.

I looked at the photo, feeling my stomach churn, utterly disgusted. Without replying to any messages, I blocked both of them.