1 How long have you known? (1/2)

”Do you love her?”

He looked at her, stunned.

”It's just a simple yes or no question, you know,” she said, lips bent in a sneer.

”An Ning….”

”It's uncomfortable talking about the past when the future is here and about to hit us with a brick,” she sighed. ”I'll move my things out tomorrow.”

”An Ning!” his voice rang with shocked disbelief. ”You are my wife.”

She stopped and threw him an indifferent glance. ”The thing about me, Mr. Lui, is that I don't like drama. Here you are, sitting in the dark with a drink, wondering how to tell me that you've fallen out of love with me, never loved me, or whatever. You're wondering how you think I will react to the news that you're fucking another woman behind my back. That you have no intention of stopping the affair even if I cry blue murder and threaten you or her.”

”An Ning…”

”I will leave. You don't have to push me, threaten me, bribe me or throw dramatics my way. I know when I'm not wanted. I have enough pride not to make a fool of myself in front of you.”

”An Ning…I…” he stopped.

”I'll go see my lawyer tomorrow.” She took a deep breath. ”Anyway, good night. This is hopefully the last time we'll ever see each other. I wish you well, Richard.”

She turned away without looking back. He was flabbergasted at the sudden turn of events. He was expecting tears, hysterics, anything other than the cold dismissal she just flung at him. He was suddenly conscious of a vague feeling of disappointment. She knew about him and Valerie. She knew and yet her first reaction was to tell him he was free to pursue his inclinations and that she was wishing him well, that she was leaving him, willingly.

She didn't even bother to ask him why he cheated on her, as if the act itself was too cheap and common for her to even bother about.Suddenly, he found himself running after her. She was inside her new Audi, her profile serene and eerily calm. He hurried to her side of the car and opened the door, almost dragging her out in his anger.

”Why?” he gritted out. ”Is that all you have to say? ” 'I know you're cheating on me but I don't care. I'm leaving you. Good luck.'” What the fuck is that?”

”Was it too casual for you or too blunt?” she said, like she was silently mocking him.

”What the hell is wrong with you? You catch your husband cheating and you act like it's the most natural thing in the world. I was fucking Valerie behind your back, for fuck's sake! Get angry. Get mad. Throw things at me. Behave like a fucking betrayed wife, not this cold indifference like I haven't just destroyed your world. I don't want you anymore. I want to be with Valerie, do you understand what that means?”

”What does it have to do with me?” An Ning asked, genuinely perplexed. ”We're divorcing. Of course, I expect you to run to your mistress. You don't expect us to still be friends for life after this, do you? Is that really what you think?”

She was unnaturally calm. She was even smiling a little and looking at him like he was a stranger. She was unruffled, so calm and collected she made him want to throw things, like a brick perhaps on her fucking head.

”But isn't this what you want after confronting me with your adultery? That you'll tell me you don't love me anymore, that you love Valerie and leaving me for her. All I'm doing now is taking the initiative to make your path easier. I'm here telling you I understand. Go to your mistress, marry her, have children with her. I tell you I'm fine with it and you're mad at me? Dude, are you high or something?”

”An Ning!” Richard almost screamed in frustration. ”I am leaving you! I don't love you anymore. I am divorcing you and marrying Valerie. Do you understand?”

”Again, what does that have to do with me?”

He stopped and stared at her, truly shock this time. She returned his gaze with an unrecognizable expression of cold contempt on her face. She didn't bother hiding what she was truly feeling this time. He could feel it in the frost of her eyes, the twisted line of her red lips.

”How long have you known?” he whispered, aghast.

”A day into our marriage,” she said, eyes unblinking on him.

”But I haven't…” he evaded her gaze self-consciously.

”I know you will though. You waited. I waited. It was for that reason that I didn't want kids. As soon as I knew our marriage was doomed, I already made arrangements.”