Broken for One More Time

I'm in a secret marriage with Jessica Justice, a female CEO, for eight years.

In order to please Cole Miller, Jessica has almost gotten divorced with me 99 times so far.

The first time she brings up divorce, it's because my socks' colors are mismatched.

The second time she does, she claims that the way I mop the floor is too ugly.

…

The reason of the 98th divorce is that I step through the doorway with my left foot first.

Every time divorce is brought up, I'll always beg Jessica to not go through with it in an extremely lowly and humble manner. After that, I'll accept her condition to get back with me, which is always a punishment. Apparently, my pain and suffering is the only thing that can make Cole smile.

The punishments range from washing Cole's feet to eating 100 slices of mango—which I'm very allergic to—and getting sent to the ICU as a result.

This time, since Cole is in a bad mood, Jessica decides to go with a thrilling punishment.

"As long as you can climb up a tower of 6500 feet without wearing a safety line, I will never bring up divorce in front of you ever again."

All color has been drained from my face. Still, I nod while gritting my teeth together.

But the next day, Jessica brings up divorce to me for the 100th time. The reason is that Cole has climbed 6499 feet just to please her. But apparently I've climbed an extra foot, so I end up stealing his thunder.

This time, I no longer plead to her to stay. Instead, I tell my grandpa that I agree to inherit my family's assets that are worth ten billion dollars.

Heck, the number of socialites who yearn to marry me can line up to the moon and back.

July was unbearably hot, yet it started raining out of nowhere.

From the other end of the line came the laughter of Cole Miller and Jessica Justice.

Jessica said, "Hello?"

Thinking I hadn't heard clearly, she repeated herself. "Cole said climbing the tower was too easy, so it doesn't count. Come to Hyacinth Diner for your new punishment tonight."

Jessica had always been like this.

In order to get back together for the 97th time, she made me buy her birth control. After I did, she still said it was too easy and insisted I eat 99 mangoes for it to count.

The doctor said not even a miracle could have saved me if I had been even a minute late.

A chill spread uncontrollably through my chest as I ended the call.

I was done playing this carefully planned humiliation game with Jessica.

I thought about the message I sent Grandpa this morning, agreeing to go back home and inherit the family fortune worth billions. He was so overjoyed, he said he would personally come to Haryndale to pick me up in three days.

I'd gotten quicker at packing. But