Part 1The Unseen Rival

Jack and I walked out of the police station, heading home.

I suddenly spoke, proposing divorce.

Jack was focused on driving. Hearing my words, his tone was displeased: “Alex, there’s a limit to being willful.”

I looked at him and couldn’t help but smile.

“I’ve thought it through,” I said seriously.

Then I turned, my eyes fixed on Jack, firm: “Let’s set each other free.”

* * *

The Maserati pulled over to the side of the road.

The atmosphere in the car dropped to freezing point.

“Reason.”

Jack’s hands gripped the steering wheel, his voice cold as ice.

“Give me a reason. What are you up to now?”

I looked at Jack and suddenly felt it was all quite meaningless. I rolled down the window, pointed at the car that had been secretly following us in the rearview mirror, and said.

“I bet, in under ten seconds.”

“Someone will be here to find you.”

I confidently counted down.

“Ten.”

“Nine.”

“Eight.”

Before I could reach seven, a figure emerged from the Porsche behind us. His eyes red, the man rushed over.

“Alex, I really didn’t mean it today. Because I had to accompany Ms. Rivers to the gala, I suggested getting the clothes. I truly didn’t know you were sleeping at home, and I certainly didn’t know you’d mistake me for a thief and call the police directly.”

“This is ultimately my fault. Please don’t argue with Ms. Rivers over this. I’m begging you.”

“If you’re truly upset,” the man grabbed my hand, bringing it towards his own face. “Hit me.”

“Hit me to vent your anger.”

My hand was yanked.

It was about to strike.

Jack snapped, “Alex Carter, where are your manners?”

“Did a dog eat them?”

I just found it so laughable.

See?

I didn’t have to do anything. I just sat here, passively accepting, and it still became my fault.

I pulled my hand back and turned to face Jack.

“Do you understand?”

“Jack,” I felt I had found peace, as if the pain had numbed me to the point of being emotionless. I unbuckled my seatbelt and told him, “That’s the reason.”

“Jack, let’s get a divorce.”

I opened the car door, and under the shocked yet secretly pleased gaze of Jack’s assistant, I smiled at him.

“Congratulations. After all these years of subtly inserting yourself into Jack’s and my life, you’re finally going to get your big break.”

“I don’t want Jack anymore.”

I turned to leave.

Jack quickly got out of the car and grabbed my wrist.

“Alex Carter, what the hell are you thinking? Do you realize that because you called the police today, I missed out on a multi-million-dollar deal? Just because you said you were scared, I rushed to the police station like a maniac, only to arrive and see you calling the police on my assistant!”

“I’ve put up with you for a long time.”

“You’re constantly picking on Kyle, and Kyle has always spoken highly of you, telling me not to get angry and for us to get along! Don’t be so ungrateful!”

My wrist was squeezed painfully, exacerbating the old scars. I frowned, looking at my wrist, which was largely reddened.

“Let go!”

I forcefully pulled Jack’s hand away, rubbing my aching wrist, and raised my hand to slap Jack’s face.

“Jack!”

“I’ve put up with you for a long time too!”

Jack and I had been together for ten years.

Even when we argued, fought, or gave each other the silent treatment, I had never, until now, humiliated Jack in front of others. But I couldn’t take it anymore. I looked at Jack, cutting straight to the point.

“I’m telling you, when I was in the hospital with a high fever, you were out with your assistant rescuing stray cats and dogs. When my car was rear-ended, you were with your assistant stargazing. Every time I had a problem, you chose your assistant! And today!”

I looked at Jack.

“You gave your assistant our front door code. When I had taken my medication and was about to go to sleep! When your assistant broke into our bedroom to get your things! After I called the police, you didn’t care about me; you only asked me to sign a statement of understanding!”

“Jack!”

“We were completely over then!”