A New Beginning

James nodded. “I’ll take you there in a bit.”

Claire smirked proudly, then turned her gaze on me. With obvious provocation, she said, “Why don’t you come along too?”

I understood exactly what she was doing. She just wanted to humiliate me.

“No thanks, I have things to do.”

Suddenly, James frowned and said coldly, “You’re coming too. I don’t like repeating myself.”

I knew better than to defy him at that moment, so I simply lowered my voice and agreed.

Seven more days were all I had to endure. Then, this would all be over.

James had rented out an upscale boutique, leaving only the three of us inside. He stood close beside Claire, his eyes never leaving her.

In a tone I had never once heard directed at me, he said softly, “This one looks good. Try it on.”

Claire giggled as she took the dress, her voice sweet and coy. “How did you know I wear a 36E?”

Then, she lifted her eyes, glancing at me with a look that seemed like she was challenging me.

The sales associate quickly rushed forward with a flattering smile.

“Ma’am, you’re so lucky! Not every husband would close down a whole store just to pick out clothes with his wife.”

James didn’t bother to correct her, and his silence was an acknowledgment.

Claire’s smile deepened. She waved a hand modestly, though her eyes sparkled with triumph. “Oh, it’s nothing really.”

At that moment, the sales associate turned to me. “And you, miss? You are…”

It was as if James had only then remembered I existed.

“She came with us. Pick something out, too, Tess,” he said.

Before I could reply, the sales associate exclaimed in awe, “Wow, sir, you sure are generous to your household staff. You’re incredible!”

The store fell into an awkward silence.

I didn’t even flinch. I simply kept tapping away on my phone, finishing the emails I’d been drafting.

From the day we married, James had forbidden me from working. I was Mrs. Tennant, he said, and I shouldn’t show my face in public. However, I’d always been independent. I couldn’t live completely dependent on anyone.

For the past seven years, I had never stopped working in secret. Using an anonymous handle, I uploaded code to a platform. I became good at it, so good that international tech companies began reaching out to me directly.

Unfortunately, because of the marriage contract, I never accepted a single offer. I chose to wait, and now, my wait was nearly over.

Before James could notice, I quickly shut off my phone.

“I’ll take that one.” I pointed casually at a plain dress hanging off to the side.

“I’ll try it too.”

Claire snatched it up and started toward my fitting room.

I frowned. “Go to the one next door.”

“Oh, come on, it’s just a dress!” she chirped, then suddenly shoved me hard into the fitting room.

I stumbled backward. There was a sharp crack as my arm slammed against the mirror, and glass shattered everywhere.

Hearing the noise, James rushed inside. His face instantly darkened at the scene.

Claire sat on the floor, cradling her hand, tears welling in her eyes. “Was it because I wanted to try the same dress as you? If you’re upset, I won’t wear it… But why did you push me?”

She lifted her hand, showing off a small scratch.

James’s expression changed at once. He knelt beside her, holding her hand carefully, his face full of distress as he asked, “How did you hurt yourself so badly? Does it hurt?”

Then, he turned on me, his eyes blazing with fury. “Tess, why are you so petty? All this over a dress?”

My lips parted. “I didn’t… It wasn’t me–”

“Still making excuses, huh?” he cut me off sharply.

It was as if he didn’t even see me sitting there among shards of glass, both my arms covered in cuts of varying depths, blood streaming down my skin.

He scooped Claire into his arms and whispered, “Don’t worry. I’ll take you to the hospital.”

Leaning against his chest, Claire cried pitifully, “Will it leave a scar? How am I supposed to face anyone after this?”

“It won’t. I’ll take you to the best doctor right away.” He comforted her in a low voice and walked out without a single glance back, leaving me behind, battered and covered in blood.

I forced myself to endure the pain as I went to the private hospital I usually visited.

Just as the doctor was about to clean my wounds, James rushed in and pulled away the anesthesiologist.

“Quick! Claire’s in so much pain. Get her some anesthesia immediately!”

“But this lady–”

It was only then that James seemed to notice me. He frowned and was about to speak when I said calmly, “It’s fine. Go ahead.”

The doctor hesitated but eventually followed him out the door.

I turned to the other doctor beside me. “Just remove the glass shards.”

The doctor froze. “But without anesthesia, it’ll hurt a lot. Can you take it?”

“It’s fine. Just do it.”

Throughout the entire procedure, I clenched my jaw and didn’t make a single sound.

By the end, even the doctor couldn’t help but sigh. “You have an incredible tolerance.”

I didn’t reply.

Of course. If I hadn’t learned to endure, I would’ve broken down countless times over the years.

After my wounds were treated, I returned home. When I pushed the door open, the faint aroma of soup drifted from the kitchen.

The housekeeper turned around when she heard me and spoke with slight embarrassment. “Ma’am, Mr. Tennant ordered me to prepare this for Miss Fisher. Her hand is injured, and he has told me to go over and take care of her for the next few days.”

Her gaze swept over the bandages covering my arm, and she hesitated. “Should I… leave you a bowl too?”

I smiled, but the smile never reached my eyes. “No need.”

Even the housekeeper knew to show concern for me. Yet, the man who had shared my bed for seven years didn’t offer a single word of care.

Just then, my phone vibrated. When I checked, it was an official offer letter from an overseas company with which I had interviewed online.

Without hesitation, I replied to confirm my start date. Then, I quickly pulled up a flight booking page and chose a departure seven days later.

Since the house was empty most of the time, it would be easy to leave without notice. My hand had not fully recovered, but I managed to pack my luggage quickly.

When everything was ready, I stood in the middle of the room and looked around. I had lived here for seven years. To say I felt nothing was impossible, but more than regret, what I felt now was relief.

For the last time, I dialed his number.

He picked up, his voice impatient. “Tess, how dare you have the nerve to call me? I’m warning you, if anything happens to Claire, you’ll pay for it!”

I opened my mouth but realized there was nothing left to say. Before I could answer, he hung up on me. I stood there in silence, slowly lowering my phone as the corner of my lips curved into a bitter smile.

I pulled out our marriage contract and signed the attached divorce agreement. Then, I placed it neatly on the desk in his study. I didn’t leave a note or an explanation, but I knew he would understand.

Dragging my suitcase behind me, I walked out of that house and checked into a quiet little hotel. For seven days, I rested there in silence. During that time, he didn’t send a single message or make a single call.

Seven days later, I sat in the airport terminal, waiting for boarding, when my phone suddenly rang and his name lit up on the screen.

I glanced at it once, then shut my phone off without hesitation. His name disappeared from the screen in an instant, just like our marriage, gone completely.

I boarded the plane to my new life without looking back.