No More Tears

Two years after Ethan and I got remarried, we had a child. He actually kept the vows he made before our remarriage. No flirting, no cheating, completely devoted to the family.

I thought we had returned to the days before there was a rift between us. Until our son’s parentteacher conference.

I took off work early, wanting to surprise my husband and son at school. Instead, I saw Ethan holding a strange woman’s hand, laughing and talking with the teacher.

And the child I carried for nine months was clinging to the woman's leg, calling her "Mommy." My heart turned to ice. Suddenly, this remarriage felt like a complete joke.

Since they were a happy family of three, there was no need for me to take up space. Back home, I curled up on the sofa, hugging my knees.

Once, I had screamed and cried hysterically over Ethan’s cheating. We cried, fought, and made up over and over again. But a broken mirror can never be truly mended.

This time, I was genuinely exhausted. The door clicked open. "Chloe, you're home?

Why are the lights off?" Ethan flipped on the light, and both father and son bent down to change their shoes. The bright light stung my eyes, and I raised my hand to block it.

Seeing that I didn't speak, Ethan gently pushed our son forward.

A timid little voice drifted over: "Chloe, the teacher praised me for working so hard in class today." Blinking against the light, my gaze fell on Leo, who was hiding behind Ethan.

For all these years, I thought he was just naturally distant and introverted. I used to worry he was sick.

I took him to the hospital countless times, but the doctors always said he was perfectly healthy.

Yet today, seeing him happily hugging another woman and calling her "Mommy" made all my years of effort look like a pathetic joke.

Looking away, I stared at Ethan with cold eyes. "Who was that woman holding your hand at the conference today?" "Were you spying on me?!" A flash of anger crossed Ethan's eyes at being caught.

It was brief, but I caught it. Realizing his tone was too harsh, he quickly walked over to me, looking apologetic. "You misunderstand, Chloe. She’s just a distant cousin.

I knew you were busy with work, so I asked her to help..." "So you let Leo call her 'Mommy'?

You wanted everyone to think I was the homewrecker?" My sudden raise in volume frightened Leo. He quickly ran over and let his father hold him.

Ethan picked him up and frowned slightly. "Chloe, are you under too much pressure lately?

Let’s take a family trip this weekend to clear your head." "Let me put Leo to bed first, and then we can talk, okay?" If I hadn't seen the betrayal with my own eyes today, I might have been fooled by his gentle words again.

I let out a soft laugh, ignoring his act. "It doesn't matter if you admit it or not." Before they came home, I had already initiated the divorce process online.

I turned and walked out, ignoring Ethan calling my name behind me.

Standing by the river, watching the autumn leaves blow in the wind, I remembered the promises he made when we were young. The scenery hadn't changed, but his heart had.

My phone suddenly buzzed, interrupting my thoughts. "Chloe, long time no see." Seven years ago, this very voice had completely ruined my life. I gripped the phone tightly.

The woman’s voice continued over the line: "Ethan slit his wrists five times just to make you softhearted enough to remarry him.

You didn't actually think he was still in love with you, did you?" "My health is too poor to have children. He only came back to you so you could bear one for us.

Leo has been distant from you all these years because Ethan made sure of it." "What did you say?" My voice rose, my breathing turning shallow and fast.

Rachel laughed softly. "I didn't plan to show my hand so soon, but well, you saw us today." "The boy is older now.

I deserve my rightful place in this family, don't I?" "After all, the one who isn't loved is the real intruder."

Her casual tone sounded as if she were merely discussing what to have for dinner. I didn't have the courage to listen further and hung up the phone.

The cold night wind blew against my face, and only then did I realize I was crying. When Ethan loved someone, he loved them with everything he had.

Years ago, to convince my parents to let us be together, he stood in the freezing rain outside their house for hours, begging for forgiveness until he collapsed from severe pneumonia and was rushed to the hospital.

The doctor said his lungs were damaged, leaving him with a chronic cough. On countless nights, I would hear him desperately trying to muffle his coughs so as not to wake me.

But now that he didn't love me, he was more ruthless than anyone. When I got home, I decided to pack my bags.

As I reached the door, I heard Ethan and Leo on a FaceTime call. "Mommy, I hate Chloe. She is so mean!

When are you moving in with us?" "Once we kick this stranger out, we can finally live together." My hand froze on the doorknob. I asked myself honestly: had I ever been bad to Leo?

Rain or shine, I always drove him to school and picked him up. When he hated the nanny's cooking, I looked up recipes and learned to make his favorite meals.

Even when my work was overwhelming, I always made time for him. But I guess genetics don't lie. Even blood ties couldn't change how coldblooded he was.

Since he didn't want to treat me as his mother, I didn't want him as my son either.

Closing my eyes, I pushed the door open. "Ethan, let's get a divorce." Ethan didn't even stop signing the document on his desk.

He glanced up at me and gave a helpless chuckle. "Chloe, how many times have you said that now?" "We were young and impulsive back then. But our son is so big now.

Can we just live our lives in peace?" "Is Chloe really going to divorce Daddy?" Leo peeked out from behind the door, unable to hide the excitement on his face. "Go to your room, Leo.

Adults are talking." Ethan immediately covered his mouth. Noticing my blank expression, he nervously rubbed his hands together. I stared at Leo for a few seconds.

I used to be someone who couldn't tolerate a single speck of dirt in my eyes. I loved fiercely, and I hated fiercely.

Seven years ago, while on a business trip, I accidentally saw Ethan and Rachel acting loveydovey on the street.

Ignoring the milliondollar deal I was working on, I lost my mind, rushed over, and slapped Ethan hard across the face. "Ethan Hayes, you are absolutely disgusting!" Rachel pushed me away, shielding Ethan behind her. "You crazy woman!

How dare you lay a hand on my Ethan?" Furious, I pointed at Ethan behind her and screamed, "I am his girlfriend!

Who the hell do you think you are?" But she just smiled, leaning weakly into Ethan's chest. "Ethan, didn't you say that even without a title, I'm the only girl in your heart?" "She says she’s your girlfriend.

Is that true?"

Ethan didn't answer. He simply wrapped his arms around her, making his choice clear. My tears poured down. Looking at his cold eyes, I turned and walked away.

I thought he would chase after me. But he didn't. He was too busy comforting Rachel, asking if she had been frightened by me.

Heartbroken, I stumbled down the street, only to be struck by a car that ran a red light. Before passing out, I vaguely saw Ethan running toward me in a panic.

When I woke up, I was in the hospital. Ethan was sitting at the edge of the bed, gently touching my leg which was in a cast. There seemed to be regret in his eyes.

I only found it ridiculous. When I was discharged and went home, I walked in on them having sex in our bedroom. Like a madwoman, I beat them both with my fists.

Only for Ethan to shove me away. "Chloe, look at you. You look like a hysterical shrew.

You don't look like a highsociety lady at all." Rachel hid behind him, her face full of smug satisfaction, her eyes mocking me.

She was wearing my silk nightgown, which had been torn to shreds.

She purposefully tilted her head back, making sure I could see the marks on her neck. "A shrew?" I started laughing, but my tears kept falling.

In the past, Ethan had his flings, but they were all temporary. Only Rachel was different.

She would call him, pretending her chest hurt, and Ethan would abandon me at our wedding rehearsal.

When I was curled up on the bathroom floor in agony from stomach cramps, I called him for help. He told me he had to accompany Rachel to an art gallery. He had no time for me.

I had cried, screamed, and lost my mind. In return, I only got blame, complaints, and worse treatment.

Now, I didn't want to torture myself anymore. "Ethan, I’m serious about the divorce.

When are we signing the papers?" I didn't want to be dragged into this toxic cycle with Ethan and Rachel anymore.

If a man truly loves you, he won't let you suffer. "I already swallowed my pride to make up with you! What more do you want?!" The gentleness on Ethan's face vanished.

He frustratedly swept the documents off his desk onto the floor, acting as if he were the victim. It made me look like the bad guy.

Looking at the redeyed man in front of me, I smiled. "This divorce is happening, Ethan." Seeing how resolute I was, a flash of panic crossed Ethan's eyes.

He immediately pulled Leo over. "Can you really bear to abandon Leo? He’s so young. How can he grow up without a mother?" Leo looked at me, his eyes filled with his usual fear.

I squatted down to meet his gaze and took his hand. He was the child I carried for nine months. How could I not feel a pang of sorrow?

Ethan smiled, thinking I was going to back down for the sake of our child.

Just as he was about to speak, I asked Leo: "Would you be happy if Chloe and Daddy got divorced?" The young boy didn't fully understand, but hearing that, he nodded happily.

Ethan panicked and pulled Leo back instantly. "Chloe, what are you saying to a kid? He doesn't understand anything about divorce!" "Is that so?" I chuckled.

If I hadn't heard him call me "Chloe" with such genuine hatred yesterday, I might have believed his lies. "Ethan, I've already accepted my boss's offer to relocate to our San Francisco branch." "I hope we can finalize the paperwork before I leave."

With that, I turned and left, leaving a stunned Ethan behind. Back in my room, I called my parents. The moment the call connected, I couldn't stop the tears.

My parents immediately grew anxious. "Chloe, sweetie, why are you crying? Did that bastard hurt you again?" I cried until my throat was hoarse before I could speak. "Mom, Dad...

I regret it so much..." Years ago, I broke ties with my family for Ethan. I even gave up a highpaying corporate transfer just to stay home and raise Leo.

Now, I was going to be myself again. My parents' voices were filled with relief. After a good, long cry, I started packing my bags.

But then, the front door burst open, and a woman rushed in. "Ethan! Why didn't you pick up my calls?

Do you know how worried I was?" Ethan hadn't expected Rachel to show up at the house. Afraid I would hear her, he quickly tried to quiet her down. "Rachel, what are you doing here?

Go home first and wait for me, okay?" But Leo, seeing his "Mommy" arrive, threw his arms around her legs happily. "Mommy! Please don't leave!" Ethan looked helpless.

Just as he was about to speak, I walked out of the bedroom. Watching the three of them clustered together, I felt nothing but disgust. Suddenly, Leo rushed toward me.

He rammed his head hard into my stomach with all his might. "Why won't you just leave? I only want my Daddy and Mommy! Stop taking up space in our house!" I stumbled back two steps.

The house fell silent, save for the child’s angry breathing. Rachel had a smirk on her face. She gestured for Leo to come back to her, praising him silently.

Ethan looked deeply embarrassed. "Chloe, Leo is just a kid. He doesn't know what he's saying..." "What did you just say?

Apologize to your mother right now!" Ethan pushed Leo forward, but the boy just stared at me stubbornly. "No! She's not my mommy!

She’s the one who makes my mommy unhappy!" Leo screamed, his eyes filled with pure hatred. I remembered when he was running a 104degree fever.

I took him to the ER at three in the morning.

While he was getting an IV, he snuggled in my arms and whispered, "You're the best mommy in the world." He used to act spoiled with me too.

He would say, "Mommy is always so busy, I miss you. I want to play with you." But now, he hated me.

My blood connection with him couldn't compete with a woman who had never actually taken care of him. Ethan carried Leo to his bedroom and escorted Rachel out.

As he passed me, he only left one sentence: "Wait for me to come back." My tense body finally relaxed. Only then did I feel a sharp pain in my stomach.

I rubbed it gently, went back to the room, and slowly continued packing my bags.

It was past midnight when Ethan returned smelling of alcohol and a strong, cheap perfume. "Chloe, don't take it out on the kid." "Tomorrow is our anniversary, right?" "I booked a table at the rooftop restaurant.

Let's go together at noon." Before I could answer, his heavy breathing signaled he had fallen asleep. Since we remarried, Ethan and I hadn't gone out for a nice dinner.

He always said he was too busy with work and didn't want to waste time.

Yet, he spent thousands on Rachel at the most expensive restaurant in the city, only bringing home their leftovers for me to eat.

As the sky turned gray with the morning light, I turned around. I stared at the sleeping man's face. Time to say goodbye, Ethan.

I left the signed divorce papers on his desk in the study and took one last look at him in the bedroom. He was still muttering "Rachel" in his sleep. I didn't care.

I grabbed my suitcase and headed straight for the airport. Before boarding the plane, I sent Ethan two final messages on Snapchat: [The divorce papers are on the desk. Sign them.

You can keep Leo.] [From now on, we owe each other nothing.]