6
601words
"You're just using the threat of divorce to control Emma," Jake declared. "You know she's a family-oriented woman who would never abandon her child. You're exploiting that."
In just two sentences, he managed to reignite the rage I had barely managed to suppress these past few days. My chest tightened with anger, and I let out a bitter laugh. "Did you ask me here just to play psychologist?"
Jake's gaze sharpened, locking onto me. "I know you've been with Emma since university. You love her."
"But what I'm saying is, to love someone is to learn to let go and to enable. If you truly love her, step aside. Let her be with Gu Liam. Give them your blessing."
Without waiting for my response, he continued, "An ordinary, mundane and dull person like you could never understand the life-or-death bond that Emma and Liam share."
"You have no idea what Liam has sacrificed for her. He's a timid boy, scared of even thunder, yet he's repeatedly charged into darkness and danger for her without a second thought."
Jake's eyes grew distant, a soft, almost unconscious tenderness creeping into his voice as he spoke.
I truly didn't know the extent of their sacrifices for each other, but I could imagine it.
A mature, reliable, righteous woman and a shy, brave, recklessly devoted young man—they were like the leads in a drama.
Brushing shoulders with death, they would promise each other the next life. Facing danger, they would shield each other. In pain, they would grip each other's hands for strength. Falling apart, they would hold each other close for courage.
If life were a TV show, their love would have audiences weeping uncontrollably.
And me? I’d undoubtedly be the tragic supporting character.
I nitpick over trivialities. My life revolves around my wife, my child, my mother-in-law. I’m nagging, numb, and dull. I clash completely with the image of the resilient, heroic, tragic female lead who bears the weight of the world. I’m more like a dark secret, a dirty rag that can’t be thrown away.
To be fair, a supporting character like me hasn’t actually done anything wrong.
He’s also the husband who went through the legal process with the female lead. They once had a love that weathered hardships together. They were young once too, dreaming of heroic tales and extraordinary lives.
He’s just been worn down by life. His pettiness and calculation are just ways to survive.
But whether it’s the audience or the characters in the show, everyone dislikes him. No one wants to analyze a boring side character.
If this were a script, I should be hysterical, seeing Liam as a thorn in my side, refusing to let go of Emma even if it kills me.
But reality isn’t a screenplay. I will not tolerate this insult.
I spoke slowly, "I've already given Emma the divorce papers. Tell her to meet me at the courthouse at 8 a.m. tomorrow morning. Since you care so much, you can be the one to notify her."
Jake continued to stare intently, seemingly trying to determine if I was sincere. I met his gaze openly. After a long moment, he said abruptly, "We've always thought you were a very kind person."
"What do you mean by that?"
His tone held a warning, a threat. "Coming to see you today was my own decision. They don't know about it. You won't go cause trouble forLiam, right?"
