My Husband Divorced Me Nine Times

Serena is divorced, and her depression is getting worse. We need to get a divorce too.

My husband, Ethan Carter, said this as he handed me a stack of divorce papers.

What?

This wasn't the first time we'd been down this road.

But this time, his ridiculous excuse left me completely speechless.

I'm just worried that seeing me happily married will trigger her depression even more. Don't worry, Chloe. Once she recovers, we'll get married again. Just like before.

Ethan spoke in a casual, breezy tone.

Serena Hayes and Ethan had grown up together.

They were like conjoined twins, doing absolutely everything together.

When Serena quit her job, Ethan immediately resigned from his high-paying corporate position to help her start a business.

When Serena moved, Ethan sold our marital home behind my back just so he could buy a house in her neighborhood.

When Serena had a fight with her husband, Ethan spent an entire month living in a hotel just to support her.

Every single time something went wrong in Serena's life, Ethan would turn our lives completely upside down.

He lived under the delusion that after eight years of marriage, I would never actually leave him.

But this time, I simply took our daughter's hand and nodded calmly.

"Okay. Let's go sign the papers."

I looked at the freshly signed divorce certificate and smiled.

This time, both my daughter and I were done with him.

The day before we went to City Hall, it was snowing heavily.

I had held my red-eyed daughter in my arms, not saying a word.

Lily had a terrible fever, but she still forced a sweet, innocent smile for Ethan.

"Daddy, tomorrow is my birthday. I only have one wish. Can you please not divorce Mommy? Please?"

"Lily, Daddy made a promise to your Aunt Serena. I can't break my word. It's just a birthday. Be a good girl and stop throwing tantrums."

At that moment, Ethan was on the phone with his childhood friend, Serena. He didn't even notice our daughter's flushed, feverish face as he brushed her off with a laugh.

"But the other kids at school are laughing at me and Mommy..."

Lily's voice was hoarse, her eyes welling with tears.

Suddenly, a mocking snort came from the other end of the phone.

"Wow, Ethan. Your kid is quite something. So young, yet already so manipulative, trying to control her parents' marriage?"

Ethan laughed, but his voice instantly grew cold when he addressed Lily.

"Lily, if you still want me to be your dad, go back to your room right now. Otherwise, don't even think about having a birthday party tomorrow."

Seeing Ethan's impatient scowl, Lily could only walk back to her room in silence.

My heart ached as I held my daughter. Neither of us slept that night.

My mind snapped back to the rainy present. Ethan walked out of City Hall looking completely relaxed. He glanced at the divorce papers and tossed them carelessly into the trunk of his car.

Looking at me and our daughter in my arms, he smiled.

"Don't worry, Chloe. This is just a temporary fix. I know Serena. She has a three-minute attention span. In a few days, she'll get over her drama, and we can get remarried."

Right. A three-minute attention span.

But that was for her life, not mine.

I used to wonder why Ethan behaved this way when he was married to me.

Now, I finally understood. It was simply because Lily and I combined didn't hold a candle to Serena and their twenty-eight years of history.

So, we were the ones who deserved to be humiliated and cast aside.

But this time, we didn't want to hold on anymore.

Sensing the cold silence between Lily and me, Ethan broke the ice.

"It's pouring. Let me drive you guys back."

The rain was getting heavier. My car had been sent to the repair shop last week, so I hadn't driven today.

I didn't want my sick daughter to get soaked in the rain, so I nodded.

But before we could even settle into our seats, Ethan's phone rang.

The next second, Serena's voice echoed through the car speakers.

"Ethan, I got into a car accident. I'm nearby. Come pick me up."

Ethan tensed up instantly. He turned around and looked at me with an icy expression.

"Chloe, you and Lily need to get out of the car right now. I have to go pick up Serena!"

"It's pouring outside, and Lily is running a high fever! You're kicking us out of the car right now?"

I looked at my drowsy daughter in my arms and couldn't help but argue.

"Lily has a fever? Since when?"

Ethan looked slightly surprised, but his tone remained firm.

"Lily's fever can wait. Serena's car accident is an emergency! There's no room in the car for you guys anyway!"

"Ubers are everywhere these days. You can easily get a ride home!"

"Get out! Now!"

Under Ethan's harsh urging, I clenched my fists. But Lily gently tugged at my sleeve.

"It's okay, Mommy. Let's get out."

Lily and I were dumped at the curb of City Hall.

Ethan slammed on the gas, his car speeding away and splashing dirty rainwater all over us.

I don't even remember how we got home. By the time we walked through the door, Lily's fever had gotten worse.

Our housekeeper, Mrs. Hudson, took Lily from my arms, her face filled with anxiety.

"Oh my god, why is Lily burning up like this? We need to get her to the ER right now! Where is Mr. Carter? Did that Serena woman drag him away again?"

"That Serena is a disease! All these years, she's done nothing but ruin your marriage!"

"She's the one who slept around and got kicked out by her own husband! You and Mr. Carter had a good life. Why do you have to suffer because of her? No marriage can survive being treated like a joke!"

Even Mrs. Hudson, an outsider, saw the situation clearly.

Yet, the one person who should have seen it kept playing the fool.

I opened my mouth, but my throat was tight with bitterness.

Before I could speak, Lily grabbed my hand. She spoke in a weak, fragile voice.

"I don't want to go to the hospital, Mommy. Today is my birthday. I don't want to spend it in a hospital. And Daddy..."

And Daddy wouldn't be able to spend her last birthday with her.

I understood what she left unsaid. I held her burning hand, my eyes stinging.

"Let's call our family doctor to come over. Lily is right. Spending her birthday in the hospital is too depressing. Mrs. Hudson, please help me decorate the living room. Let's give Lily a proper birthday."

After a long pause, I spoke in a hoarse voice.

After today, neither Lily nor I would ever wait for him again.

After hours of rushing around, the living room was decorated with balloons and a beautiful birthday cake.

Everything was ready. We just needed the guest of honor.

Lily's fever had finally gone down, but she was exhausted. Still, she forced her eyes open, staring intently at the front door.

I couldn't bear to watch my daughter wait in vain any longer.

I closed my eyes, took out my phone, and dialed the number I knew by heart.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

It rang three times before it was picked up.

"Hey, Ethan. Is Serena okay now? Can you please come home and spend"

But before I could finish, a loud burst of laughter and music erupted from the other end.

"Ethan! You're the only one missing from the single party! What are you standing there for? Let's drink!"

"Don't waste Serena's effort! She literally faked a car accident just to trick you into coming here to celebrate!"

The teasing voices of his friends echoed over the phone.

I held the phone, feeling as if I had been struck by lightning.

Ethan's voice was quiet, but it pierced through the noise like a dagger.

"I have to go, Chloe. Take care of Lily. I'll be back later."

With that, the line went dead.

When I tried calling back, it went straight to voicemail.

My face went completely numb. I was about to call him again when Lily gently pulled my sleeve. Her usually bright eyes were dull and lifeless, but she was incredibly understanding.

"Mommy, don't call him. It's okay. Having a birthday with just Mommy is perfect."

At that moment, my heart felt like it was being ripped apart.

I carried Lily to the dining table, placed the birthday hat on her head, and lit the candles.

Neither of us had any appetite. We just sat there, staring at the flickering flames.

We watched the candles burn down, the melting wax dripping onto the cake. That was how we spent Lily's birthday.

I don't know when I drifted off.

By the time I woke up, the clock struck midnight. Lily's birthday was officially over.

Lily was asleep on the table, her brow still furrowed in discomfort.

As I picked her up to carry her to bed, I noticed she was clutching her Apple Watch tightly. Even in her sleep, she was mumbling.

She had dialed that familiar number over a thousand times today.

But not a single call had been answered.

The icing on the cake had completely melted, and the man who promised to return never did.

This nine-year farce was finally over.

The next morning, I got up early and listed our housethe home that held seven years of memorieson a real estate app.

Then, I contacted a moving company and scheduled the move for tomorrow afternoon.

Once everything was set, I called my parents. I told them I would be bringing Lily back to their place for dinner tomorrow.

My parents were thrilled, but their voices carried a hint of anxiety.

"Chloe, is everything okay between you and Ethan? Is it because of Serena again?"

"Did Ethan ask for a divorce again?"

My parents lived hundreds of miles away. The first time Ethan demanded a divorce, they had driven all night to beg him to reconsider.

But they were no match for Ethan's twenty-eight years of obsession with Serena.

When Ethan wanted to leave, he left.

My parents had been left holding a baby who was just learning to talk, their hair turning gray from worry.

The second time, my parents came again, only to be humiliated. They held our toddler, unable to find any words.

The third time...

The fourth time...

By the eighth time, my parents couldn't take it anymore. With red eyes, they told me to just let him go.

Now, it was the ninth time.

"It's not Serena's fault," I said.

The problem had never been Serena. It was Ethan's enabling behavior.

My parents sighed with relief, their voices brightening.

"Okay, as long as you two are fine. Bring Ethan and Lily over tomorrow. We'll make your favorite homemade pizza!"

I forced a smile, my eyes turning warm.

"Don't go to too much trouble. Ethan..."

Before I could finish, the front door suddenly swung open.

"I don't think that's going to happen, Chloe. Ethan is going to be busy tomorrow. He won't be joining you."

"Besides, you guys are divorced now. Why is your ex-husband going to your parents' house anyway?"

A smug, mocking voice echoed through the hallway.

My parents heard her over the phone, and their voices shook with shock.

"Another divorce? This is the ninth time!"

After a brief silence, my mother tried to force a cheerful tone, though the disappointment in her voice was heartbreaking.

"It's okay, sweetheart. We'll let you go. Talk to you later. Take care of Lily."

After hanging up, I looked toward the door. Serena was supporting a heavily intoxicated Ethan. Her hand was draped suggestively over his half-unbuckled belt, a teasing grin on her face.

"Chloe, Ethan got totally wasted. I brought him back. I hope what I just said didn't make you mad?"

I closed my eyes, refusing to give her the satisfaction of a reaction.

"Serena... am I home?"

Ethan mumbled, slowly waking up and rubbing his temples.

"Where's Lily? Why don't I see her?"

"Ethan, yesterday was Lily's birthday. Did you completely forget?" I finally snapped, my voice shaking with rage.

"I'm sorry. My friends wouldn't let me leave. I couldn't make it back."

"But look, I brought her favorite pizza from that place downtown."

For once, a flash of guilt crossed Ethan's face as he held up a takeout box.

I looked down at the box. Yes, it was Lily's favorite.

I blinked back my tears, my heart softening for a brief, foolish second.

"What are you doing tomorrow?"

Ethan rubbed his neck, looking slightly sheepish.

"Oh, it's nothing big. I'm having a wedding with Serena tomorrow."

Smash

I spun around and saw Lily standing barefoot in the hallway, the plate of cake she was holding shattered on the hardwood floor.

"Oh, hey there, Lily! Long time no see. You're getting cuter and cuter. Why don't you come live with me for a few days?"

"Come on, call me Mommy."

Serena laughed, stepping forward to pat Lily's head.

But Lily lunged forward and bit Serena's hand hard.

"You bad woman! I will never call you Mommy! I only have one mommy! No one can replace her!"

She bit down with all her might.

Serena shrieked in pain, raising her hand to slap Lily.

I quickly pulled Lily behind me, shielding her with my body.

Ethan grabbed Serena's arm. Seeing the deep teeth marks on her hand, his face darkened instantly.

"Lily! Who taught you to bite people? Apologize right now!"

"No! She's the bad guy! I won't apologize!"

Lily peeked out from behind me, tears welling in her eyes, but she stubbornly refused to let them fall.

Serena began to sob dramatically.

"I'm sorry, Ethan. I was just teasing her. I didn't expect her to react so violently. Maybe I shouldn't have made that joke."

Her tears instantly set off Ethan's temper.

"You think you did nothing wrong? Aunt Serena was just playing with you! Was it necessary to bite her?"

"Lily, you have deeply disappointed me!"

Ethan's chest heaved with anger. His sharp, hateful glare pierced through Lily's fragile heart.

My daughter finally broke down, tears streaming down her face.

One of her tears fell onto the back of my hand, feeling as hot as a branding iron.

I looked up, staring dead into the eyes of the two people in front of me. For the first time, I laughed coldly.

"So, your wedding tomorrow is just a joke too?"

"When is this joke going to end?"

Ethan rubbed his temples, his tone softening slightly.

"I'm sorry for raising my voice. I apologize."

"But Serena and I are really not what you think."

"The wedding tomorrow is just a staged event. We're doing it to make her ex-husband jealous and force him to come back to her."

"Once they get back together, we can remarry immediately. Shouldn't you be happy about this?"

"Happy? Oh, I'm thrilled!" I laughed, tears streaming down my face. "My husband is marrying someone else. How could I not be ecstatic?"

"Chloe, stop being so sarcastic. If Ethan wanted to be with me, you wouldn't even have had a chance in the first place," Serena sneered, pretending to offer comfort.

Ethan sighed, trying to explain.

"It's just a fake ceremony. We aren't signing any legal papers. Can you please stop making a scene?"

"We need to make it look real tomorrow. Serena and I won't be coming back tonight. You should stay home and teach our daughter some manners."

"What she did today was completely out of line."

With that, Ethan took Serena's hand and walked out the door.

Lily slowly knelt on the floor, picking up the ruined pizza. She took a bite, her tears falling onto the cold crust.

"Mommy, it's cold."

"It's okay, sweetie. We don't eat cold food anymore."

I smiled through my tears, gently taking the pizza from her hands and throwing it into the trash.

No matter how good something once was, once it goes cold, it's trash. We don't want it anymore.

The same went for our marriage.

The next morning, Ethan showed up at the house in a sharp, tailored tuxedo.

"According to the wedding planner, the groom needs to pick up the bride from her 'family home.' Serena is staying at a hotel nearby, but we need to do some photos here first. Chloe, you don't mind, right?"

Lily and I remained silent, merely giving him a cold nod.

As he got into the wedding limo, Ethan seemed to sense our unusual calmness. He leaned out of the window, trying to reassure us.

"Don't worry. Serena and I are just putting on a show for her ex. As soon as the ceremony is over, we'll go straight to City Hall and get our marriage license, okay?"

He didn't wait for our answer before the limo sped away.

As the wedding procession disappeared around the corner, I stroked Lily's head and led her in the opposite direction.

The world was vast, and we were finally done with him.

Halfway to the wedding venue, Ethan finally noticed the thousands of missed calls from Lily on his phone.

He tried to call back, but the line was dead.

"Stop the car! Go back to the house! I forgot something!"