Shattered Bonds Between Us

"Clara, it’s just some stuff. Since when did you become so petty?"

Julia tugged at Marcus’s sleeve, her voice soft and pitiful as she said, "I’m sorry, Clara. I only thought that since you weren’t here these past few days, I’d borrow the space for a while. I didn’t expect it to upset you... I didn’t mean for my things to end up on the floor."

She even moved as if to bow to me.

Marcus immediately caught her, his eyes sharp and cold. "Clara, don’t go too far. Julia didn’t do it on purpose. That’s enough."

How many times had he gotten angry with me because of Julia? I couldn’t even count anymore.

I refused to play any part in their drama. Hugging my box, I walked straight out, but as I passed Julia, a foot shot out and caught me.

Marcus’s gaze sharpened, his hand moving instinctively to grab me, but it was already too late.

I crashed to the floor. The contents of the box scattered everywhere, and my wrist scraped hard against the ground.

Marcus stepped quickly toward me, his hand reaching out. Then, as if catching sight of something, he bent and picked up two sheets of paper from the mess.

"A resignation letter? And this..."

I scrambled to my feet, snatching the papers from his hands in a panic. "I’ll clean this up myself. Don’t mess with my things."

Stunned by how fiercely I reacted, Marcus stared at me. "You’re resigning?"

My lips parted, but no words came. Before I could think of an answer, Marcus gave a sudden laugh. "If you resign, won’t that leave an open position? If Julia gets hired full-time, at least she’ll have a proper job. That’ll put me at ease."

The words I had been ready to explain froze on my tongue. I looked at him deeply once, then didn’t bother picking up the rest of my belongings. I walked straight out of the office.

After submitting my resignation, I unexpectedly ran into Marcus waiting at the school gate, my box in his hands.

When he saw me, he pressed his lips together and handed it over. "Your stuff."

My expression softened, and I was just about to thank him when he continued, "Could you write Julia a recommendation letter? It’ll give her a better chance of being hired full-time."

A gust of wind blew past, stinging my eyes as if filled with sand. I rubbed at the soreness in my gaze and said quietly, "Alright."

Let that be the last payment for the years of our marriage.

Satisfied with my answer, Marcus’s lips curved. Then something else occurred to him, and he asked, "And what about you? What’s your next job?"

I turned my head away, answering carelessly, "Another teaching position at a different school."

Marcus nodded, as if relieved. He set the box down and pulled me into his arms. "Clara, marrying you has been my greatest fortune. When I finish this busy stretch, I’ll take you home, and we’ll have a proper drink with Father."

I leaned against his chest, my heart twisting painfully.

It was too late. Everything was already too late.

Before Marcus could say more, Julia walked up to us. "Marcus, I’m not feeling well. Let’s go home."

I caught the flush in her cheeks, her face rosy and healthy. Without a word, I stepped out of Marcus’s embrace.

Just as I expected, he released me instantly, panic flashing across his face. "I’ll take Julia home first. We can talk later."

He wrapped an arm carefully around Julia, holding her as if she were the most fragile treasure.

I didn’t stop them. Instead, I crouched, lifted the box again, and on my way past the trash can, tossed it inside. I no longer wanted anything that Marcus had touched.

On my final day, I prepared a full table of food to bid farewell to my friends. Most of them were Marcus’s comrades.

As I brought out the last dish, their rowdy voices rose in a chorus of cheers.

"Captain Hale, why don't you and Miss Summers feed each other a drink?"

"Yeah, come on!"

Julia sat beside Marcus, her cheeks flushed pink.

"Don't mess around. Marcus already has a wife."

A laugh cut through the room. "Who are you kidding? If Julia hadn't married someone else back then, Marcus wouldn't have given up on himself and gone to that matchmaking meeting. Besides, Clara's not even here."

The dish in my hands was steaming hot, but it felt colder than ice.

Once, these same men had treated me with respect and warmth. Now, their words made me sick.

Marcus slammed his glass down harder than he meant to, his face darkening as he prepared to speak.

Just then, I stepped out, coughing lightly, and set the food on the table. "Let's eat."

I smiled faintly and pulled out a chair to sit on.

However, Marcus suddenly noticed something, his brows knitting together. "Why are there so many dishes Julia doesn't like?"

Julia waved her hand gently, her voice soft. "It's fine, I'll just eat the vegetables. Clara, I didn't mean anything by that," she added, though her eyes brimmed with tears.

Marcus stood abruptly, irritation clear on his face. "I'll take you to the restaurant."

"Wait." My voice cut through the room. I picked up the wine on the table and poured myself a glass.

Marcus stared at me in shock. In five years of marriage, I had never once drunk alcohol in front of him.

"Julia, this is for you." The liquor burned down my throat, choking me until I coughed again and again.

Marcus's brows drew tight. He reached out to pat my back.

Instinctively, I stepped aside, hiding the tears threatening to fall.

His hand froze midair, and his face hardened.

"Clara, you're impossible," he snapped and left with Julia.

The rest of his comrades exchanged awkward glances, then got up and left as well.

I sat alone in the courtyard and finished the meal by myself.

Four hours remained before the train left.

I harvested all the vegetables in the garden and handed them to the neighbors on both sides.

Three hours remained before the train left.

I washed the dishes, then laid the divorce papers and the half-used jar of vanilla lotion on the table.

Two hours remained before the train left.

I picked up my luggage and boarded the military truck. Ben Carter, the young soldier driving, glanced back at me. "Mrs. Hale, heading home again? How long this time?"

I passed him a few fruit candies and smiled. "I don't know. Maybe forever."

Thinking I was joking, he grinned and took the sweets. "Then when you come back, tell Captain Hale to let me know. I'll come pick you up again."

I nodded, but in my heart, I whispered, "There won't be a next time."

At eight that night, Marcus returned with Julia and the same comrades from earlier. They entered together, laughing and carrying takeout food.

"Mrs. Hale, we're back!" Jake Miller shouted as he stepped inside. Seeing the house dark, he fumbled to switch on the lights.

"She must've gone out." Scratching his head, he set the food down on the table.

Then his gaze caught on the papers resting there. He froze, picked them up instinctively, and stammered out, "Captain Hale… Mrs. Hale left you a letter. It's… it's a divorce agreement…"