Part 2The Unseen Rival

In a fit of anger.

I still couldn’t control my expression. My carefully maintained composure utterly collapsed. Seeing Jack’s face shift, then guiltily begin to explain almost instinctively.

“I didn’t know you were back from your business trip! How could I turn down Mr. Zhang’s meeting? And sending Kyle to get the things was out of necessity. Why do you have to make such a scene?!”

“Alex Carter!”

Jack looked at me with immense disappointment: “Since when did you become so prone to jealousy, holding onto rumors and refusing to let go?”

“Alex Carter, no woman would like you like this!”

I honestly thought I wouldn’t feel sad anymore.

At least, from signing the statement of understanding at the police station to getting into the car with Jack, I had maintained my dignity and proper manners. I had even reviewed all my memories with Jack in the car.

In the end.

I concluded.

I wanted a dignified end.

But tears still fell uncontrollably due to Jack’s complaints and accusations, like pearls from a broken string, impossible to stop.

“Yes, no one would like me like this.”

I choked out.

“So, I don’t need your liking either.”

I wiped away my tears and turned to leave, but Kyle grabbed my hand. He cried with me, even more fiercely than I did, apologizing repeatedly.

“Alex.”

“I really didn’t mean it. Please don’t fight with Ms. Rivers. I’ll resign tomorrow. I’ll disappear immediately! Ms. Rivers really loves you. Please don’t make her sad, okay?”

I detested Kyle’s manipulative act the most. Watching Kyle sob inconsolably, my tears actually stopped. I forcefully pulled away from Kyle and cursed loudly.

“Get lost!”

Kyle fell to the ground, looking up at me in shock.

“Alex Carter!”

Jack tenderly helped Kyle up, and seeing Kyle’s palm scraped, he roared at me.

“Are you insane?! Apologize to Kyle!”

“Don’t dream about it.”

“Me apologize?” I looked at Jack, then at Kyle whose eyes flashed with triumph, and threw down a sentence: “If you don’t agree to a divorce, we’ll proceed with legal action.”

I didn’t look back, nor did I pay attention to Kyle’s continuous sobbing and Jack’s soothing words, calling me crazy.

Instead, I hailed a taxi to my best friend’s place.

My best friend said nothing. After leading me into the house, he pulled out dozens of bottles of beer he had saved in the fridge and placed them on the table, asking only one question.

“Enough?”

I looked at my best friend, and my eyes suddenly turned red.

My best friend said nothing, only opened his arms to me, and asked again: “A hug?”

I completely broke down, sobbing hysterically in his arms. I cried until my voice was hoarse, until my body trembled, until I was throwing up violently in the bathroom. In the end, I told my best friend.

“I want a divorce!”

“I want a divorce!”

“I want Jack to suffer a terrible end!”

What is the end of love?

It’s when two people, once so intimately close they were willing to face the world together, become adversaries holding knives, determined to fight to the death. It’s when the hope of entering the tomb of marriage and making it bloom with love finally gives way to the realization that even roses eventually wither.