Nine Years Later, I’m Done

I brought up divorce the day my wife returned from her ninth annual trip back home, where shed gone with her ex-boyfriend, posing as a married couple.

She frowned, her tone dripping with impatience. She demanded to know if the power I had at the company, the name on the marriage certificate, the luxury car I drove daily, and the mansion we lived in weren't enough. She claimed that everyone back in her hometown looked down on me, a vocational school graduate from the mountains, and if it weren't for Nathan defending me to her family for nine years, I would have been kicked out long ago.

Watching her self-righteous attitude, my heart felt frozen. She probably forgot that nine years ago, when the Prescott family was on the verge of bankruptcy, it was Nathan who fled the country overnight, cutting all ties. It was she, Audrey Prescott, who came crying, begging me for help.

But for these nine years, she challenged my boundaries again and again. She probably thought I would always indulge her unconditionally, yet she didnt understand that even someone willing to give everything needs a taste of sweetness to persevere. And all she ever gave me was bitterness.

Seeing my perpetually cold expression, Audrey, uncharacteristically, showed a flicker of panic.

Honey, youre not serious, are you?

She reached out to block my path, her eyes filled with a testing gaze.

Let me tell you, I, Audrey Prescott, never go back on my word. If you really divorce me, youll never get close to me again in this life.

Enough already. Youre not the true heir who just came back home nine years ago. Nathan has controlled all of the Campbell Groups assets for years. Without me, youre nothing but a worthless bum.

When you first returned, the Campbell parents did feel guilty and wanted to compensate you, but now, apart from a surname, what connection do you have to the Campbell family?

Some people may have a destiny for wealth but not the luck. It was just bad luck that you were swapped and had your life changed back then. Good thing I dont despise you for it.

She proudly tilted her chin, her face full of haughty self-satisfaction. Audreys eyes and brows still held that haughty beauty, but I no longer found her captivating; instead, I felt a profound weariness. For nine years, she had always leveraged my love to speak without thinking. She knew how much I resented the painful past of being swapped at birth, suffering immensely, abandoned by my family, and scorned by the world. Yet, she always delighted in bringing it up.

Nathan, seeing my grim expression, stepped forward with a sneer, advising, Ethan Campbell, they say a man finds his footing at thirty. Youre in your mid-thirties now, barely maintaining a respectable job thanks to Audrey. If you really divorce, youll have nothing left.

Audrey suddenly smiled, linking her arm through mine. Honey, Nathans right. Please dont lose everything over a moment of pique. Weve been married for nine years; you know how I feel about you.

From major to minor company affairs, Ive entrusted everything to you. Any document with your signature, the finance department disburses funds directly. And whenever new products are publicly launched, youre the only one who speaks on my behalf.

Dont you understand how I feel about you?

She softened her tone, gently shaking my arm. Right now, its just asking Ethan to pretend to be my husband to go home for the holidays. If youre really that upset, then how about I take you home next year? Ill tell everyone that I never married the well-matched Nathan nine years ago, but instead married Ethan, the country bumpkin from the boonies.

Even if a million people mock me and my parents break my legs, I will never give up on you.

She made a swearing gesture, her expression exceptionally sincere. If I hadnt heard this speech for nine years, I would almost believe it now.

Unlike the previous nine years, I didnt feel sorry for Audrey, afraid shed be hurt. Instead, I smiled and nodded:

Alright.

Audrey froze. What?

She looked utterly shocked. "Are you really coming home with me? You don't care that my parents might break my legs?"

I gave her a fake smile. "Of course I care, but a quick end is better than prolonged suffering. We can't stay in the shadows our whole lives, can we?"

"Besides, I remember your grandfather's eightieth birthday is the day after tomorrow. No time like the present. We'll prepare a generous gift, say a few kind words, and I'm sure the old man won't strike a smiling face on his big day."

At my words, Audrey's face became incredibly ugly, and she didn't speak for a long while. Instead, Nathan, in his role as the unofficial man of the house, reproached me.

"You know the Prescotts look down on you. Are you going to ruin Little Audrey's grandfather's eightieth birthday just for your momentary satisfaction?"

Hearing Nathan's accusation, Audrey immediately straightened her back.

"Ethan, it's not that I don't want to take you back, it's just really bad timing. Grandpa has always been in poor health, and this eightieth birthday is meant to bring him good cheer. If I take you back and upset Grandpa, causing him any harm, it would be a deadly sin."

A thousand words, all just excuses to reject me.

I nodded and stepped back. Fine.

Silently turning to leave, Audrey reached out to stop me but Nathan grabbed her.

Forget it, let Ethan cool down first, lest he throws another fit.

My steps faltered as I recalled the scene from nine years ago when I first returned home. I was barely eighteen then, about to face my college entrance exams. The Campbell family suddenly appeared, holding Nathans hand, claiming he was my twin brother and that I had been presumed dead at birth, leading to my adoption. But I unintentionally overheard Nathan, looking incredibly guilty, kneeling before Mom and Dad:

"Perhaps I should leave. Ethan is your true child. If my birth parents hadn't deliberately swapped us, Ethan wouldn't have a crippled left leg and be half-blind in his right eye."

I looked down at my limping leg, a cold sneer on my face as I pushed open the door:

"So, you knew Nathan's parents hurt me so badly that I became half-human, half-ghost, yet you lied to me, making me believe they were kind people who picked me up and raised me?"

From childhood, I suffered endless humiliation and beatings. I couldn't understand why my own parents could be so cruel. Not until the Campbell parents stood before me. Only then did I vaguely grasp it. Turns out I wasn't their child, just adopted. No wonder they often treated me with disdain. If that was the case, at least they fed me, and I should be grateful to them. But just as I was coming to terms with it, the most unbearable truth was laid bare.

I punched Nathan in the face, tearing through his facade of false kindness:

"Why didn't you say you'd leave when you put nails in my bed? What's with the act now!"

The Campbell parents tried desperately to stop me but it was useless. I broke Nathans leg, but that was far from enough to atone for the harm his parents had inflicted on me!

From then on, the entire high society knew that the heir the Campbell family had found was a lunatic, a fratricidal, bloodthirsty maniac. I was sent abroad, my bones re-set, and given a new cornea.

The Campbell parents said:

From now on, Nathan owes you nothing.

Memories flooded back. Audreys cool voice echoed from behind: If youre going to throw a tantrum, at least know your place. Besides, you owe Ethan nothing. If he dares to do anything to you, Ill be the first to object!

Her words, so similar in sentiment, made me chuckle:

Owe me nothing?

I turned to Audrey.

Are you saying Nathan owes me nothing, or are you saying you owe me nothing?

Do you really want me to spell it out?

Neither Nathan, who had repeatedly usurped my place and framed me, nor Audrey, who had grown rapidly by feeding on my flesh and blood over the years, had any right to say such things. Audreys calm facade vanished, replaced by anger.

Ethan Campbell, did you swallow a bullet? Whats there to spell out? Youre my husband! Dont think helping me with a few documents at work is some great accomplishment.

Some husbands would even give their lives for their wives. All I asked was for you to do a little more work, and not bring you home for the holidays with me. Is that really something to hold onto?

Audreys brow was deeply furrowed, as if I were someone making trouble for no reason. I didn't become hysterical as in the past; instead, I calmly issued a final ultimatum:

Audrey Prescott, ask yourself, do you truly see me as your husband?

In your eyes, havent I always been just an employee you can summon at will?

Audrey was an only child, but she lacked business acumen from a young age. Nine years ago, a misjudgment nearly led to the Prescott familys bankruptcy. At the time, her parents considered marrying her off for a project and adopting a nephew. Audrey came to me in tears, hugging me and saying I was the only one she wanted to marry, begging me to help her. Remembering that when I first returned to the Campbell family, only she hadnt scorned or ridiculed me, the flicker of romance in my heart inevitably began to stir.

I nodded in agreement, thus beginning over three thousand days of living a life like a year.

Except for our wedding night or when the company faced problems, Audrey never shared a room with me. She claimed to be naturally frigid and told me not to think so vulgarly about "down there." So, I respected Audrey, silently restraining myself and never overstepping. Yet, on many late nights, I watched Nathan drop Audrey off downstairs. The two held hands and embraced intimately, neither realizing I was her husband.

These years of feigning deafness and blindness hadnt earned me Audreys true heart; instead, it made her even more brazen. Audreys expression was incredibly ugly: Ethan Campbell, wasnt that all your choice? Did I force you? Didnt you say you loved me? If you love me, why nitpick?

Nathan shook his head at me: Ethan Campbell, true love expects nothing in return, no calculation. Youre calculating so precisely; you dont deserve to say you love her!

With a few words, they painted me as a calculating, despicable person. Hearing Nathans words, Audrey sneered:

Ethan Campbell, nine years ago you were just a discard, about to be thrown out of the house. If I hadnt taken you in, youd probably still be scavenging for food somewhere. Werent you just betting that I could rise again? Now that youve succeeded, what more do you have to be dissatisfied with?

My heart was completely chilled.

My mind flashed back to the scene nine years ago when I had just been found by the Campbell family. At that time, Nathan, to humiliate me, paid for photos of me from my village days, where I was forced to eat garbage and slapped around, and publicly displayed them at my parents' business conference. Those embarrassing images burned into everyone's eyes. I wanted to run in shame, but Audrey took my hand:

They're the ones who should be ashamed for bullying you, not you!

She saved the photos, called the police, and had everyone who had bullied me sent to the station. She also publicly chastised Nathan for being too jealous, saying he was nothing like a true Campbell. From then on, Audrey was deeply etched in my heart.

But now, she was using my most painful past as a sharp blade to pierce me.

I said no more, simply taking off the ring I had never removed:

Lets part ways amicably.

Audreys expression froze completely. She reacted, realizing she had said the wrong thing:

Ethan Campbell!

If you hadnt angered me, I wouldnt have spoken so carelessly.

She forcefully took the ring and tried to put it back on my finger: You swore youd never take it off. Ill forgive you this time. If it happens again, Ill never speak to you.

The threat, which had always worked perfectly, was now useless. I pushed Audrey away, and in front of her, took off the ring again and threw it on the ground. Audrey stood there stunned, her shock undeniable.

Ethan Campbell! Youre insane!

I scoffed, Yes, Im insane. Ive been insane for nine whole years, and thats enough. With that, I turned and walked away.

Audrey tried to follow, but Nathan grabbed her.

Audrey! He just knows how you feel about him and is deliberately playing hard to get. If you really chase after him, youll fall right into his trap!

Audrey suddenly seemed to realize something, nodded, and said, Right, Ethan loves me so much hed throw away his self-respect. How could he just leave? He hasnt given me any divorce papers, nor has he mentioned dividing assets. Hes definitely bluffing!

Ignoring Audreys murmuring, I strode forward. I didnt want the meager assets Audrey held. Divorce papers were superfluous, because I knew Audrey wouldn't easily let go of such a convenient tool, so I had already contacted a lawyer to file for divorce.

Walking onto the quiet street, I smiled with a sense of relief. I once thought leaving Audrey would be agonizing. Only now did I realize that leaving her was the most liberating moment in years. I no longer had to consider her preferences, nor sit alone at home all night waiting for her return. And I certainly didn't have to nervously ask if she had gone out with Nathan again.

Three days passed, and I suddenly received a message from Audrey:

Dont you want your grandmas memorial tablet anymore?

After being abducted to the countryside for eighteen years, only my grandmother truly cared for me, never scolding me, and secretly feeding me behind the backs of that cruel couple. After Grandma died, I knew that cruel couple wouldn't honor her memorial tablet. So, at Audreys suggestion, I placed Grandmas tablet in the Prescott family ancestral hall to receive incense.

My heart tightened, and I immediately drove to the ancestral hall. As I reached the entrance, two bodyguards stopped me:

Hello, youre not allowed in without an invitation.

Audrey stood by the door, arm linked with Nathan, who was wearing a custom-tailored suit. This suit was a gift from Audrey to me when we married nine years ago. Nathans lips curled in triumph: Ethan Campbell, didnt you want to cut ties with Audrey? Why are you here, looking so eager?

Audrey, as if expecting this, glanced at me with disdain: Thats enough. I know youre here to win me back. We can talk later. Today is my grandfathers eightieth birthday, and Nathan and I are the loving couple in everyones eyes.

Nathans smile remained cold as he told Audrey, You go in first and give Grandpa your gift, dont miss the auspicious time. Ill talk to Ethan.

Audrey looked at him with concern: If Ethan dares to lay a hand on you, tell me, and Ill take care of it!

With that, Audrey gave me a warning glance.

I urgently stepped forward: Audrey, I need to get something.

With so many guests coming and going, I couldn't explicitly say I was there for Grandmas memorial tablet. Otherwise, it would be bad luck for the Prescott patriarch, especially on his eightieth birthday. But Audrey didnt even spare me a glance, turning directly and walking away.

Nathan immediately had the bodyguards take me to the backyard, pulling out the memorial tablet.

This is what you want, isnt it?

I roared, my eyes red, Give it back!

Nathan chuckled, Whats the rush for a rotten piece of wood?

I was pinned to the ground, unable to move, forced to watch Nathan throw Grandma's memorial tablet onto the ground. He tossed a machete in front of me: "You care so much about an old woman you're not even related to by blood, but what about your uncle?"

"Your grandma's youngest son, whom she doted on most, is lying in the hospital with kidney failure, unable to move, waiting for medical funds to save his life."

My eyes widened in fury, "What do you want to do?!"

"Cut this memorial tablet, and I'll send money to save your uncle."

"He's the only one left in the world who's good to you. Think carefully."

I struggled frantically: "Nathan! You beast, this is your biological grandmother's memorial tablet! And that's your uncle!"

Nathan kicked me in the stomach: "My parents are Campbells, the heads of the Campbell Group. They have nothing to do with those peasants from the boonies!"

"I'll count to three. If you don't cut it, he dies."

"Three"

"Two"

"I'll cut it!"

I raised the machete, my whole body trembling uncontrollably. Nathan's lips curved into a triumphant sneer, his face filled with glee.

Audreys voice rang out from behind:

Ethan Campbell! What are you doing?!