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On December 31st, New Year\u2019s Eve, Kate started bustling about early in the morning, putting out festive decorations, chilling champagne, and preparing the ingredients for the evening\u2019s dinner. Outside, the American flag on the neighbor\u2019s porch stirred in the winter wind, a small reminder that this was just another holiday season in a typical U.S. neighborhood.<\/p>\n
As they had agreed, Michael was more attentive than usual. When he was helping to hang some fairy lights in the family room, he even took the initiative to talk to her.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe left side is a little crooked, a little higher,\u201d Kate said, directing Michael to adjust the position of the lights.<\/p>\n
Their hands accidentally touched and he recoiled as if he had been electrocuted. Kate, on the other hand, looked completely natural.<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay, that\u2019s good,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The children were playing a board game in the family room, their laughter crisp. The lively sounds of the neighbors\u2019 celebrations also drifted over from the cul-de-sac. The entire subdivision was filled with a festive atmosphere.<\/p>\n
\u201cMom, Grandma\u2019s on the phone!\u201d Mia ran over holding Kate\u2019s cell.<\/p>\n
Kate took the phone. \u201cMom, happy New Year\u2019s Eve. We\u2019ll be over tomorrow afternoon. Yes, we\u2019re having dinner at our place tonight. You guys just come over. Okay, drive safe.\u201d<\/p>\n
After hanging up, she glanced at Michael. He was looking at his phone again, his brows slightly furrowed, his fingers typing quickly. It wasn\u2019t hard to guess that he was explaining to that woman why he couldn\u2019t spend New Year\u2019s Eve with her.<\/p>\n
Kate turned and went back to the kitchen to continue preparing the ingredients. The knife rose and fell on the cutting board, making a rhythmic sound. In her mind, she was silently taking stock. The accounting certification exam was in a month. She had already sent her r\u00e9sum\u00e9 to three companies. She had saved $15,000 in a secret account, all squirrelled away little by little from the household expenses over the years.<\/p>\n
It wasn\u2019t a fortune, but it was much better than three years ago. Three years ago, she could do nothing but cry and beg.<\/p>\n
At noon, her in\u2013laws arrived.<\/p>\n
Michael\u2019s father was a retired history professor, and his mother was a homemaker\u2014 a typical traditional American family. They were quite satisfied with Kate, mainly because she managed the household well and had given them a grandson and a granddaughter.<\/p>\n
\u201cCatherine, you\u2019ve worked so hard making all this food,\u201d her mother\u2013in\u2013law said politely, though her eyes were critically scanning every corner of the living room.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s my pleasure,\u201d Kate said with a smile, pouring coffee. \u201cDad, Mom, have some coffee.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere\u2019s Michael?\u201d her father\u2013in\u2013law asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s in his office dealing with work. He\u2019ll be out in a minute,\u201d Kate said.<\/p>\n
As she spoke, Michael came out, putting on a gentle and filial mask.<\/p>\n
\u201cDad, Mom, you\u2019re here. Was the traffic bad on the way?\u201d<\/p>\n
The family sat in the living room and chatted. The topics were nothing more than the children\u2019s school, work, and recent news about relatives. Kate served drinks and snacks on the side, interjecting a few words from time to time, playing the role of the perfect daughter\u2013in\u2013law.<\/p>\n
She noticed that her mother\u2013in\u2013law was wearing a new bracelet, a very nice one.<\/p>\n
\u201cMom, that bracelet is beautiful. Is it new?\u201d Kate asked casually.<\/p>\n
A smug smile appeared on her mother\u2013in\u2013law\u2019s face. \u201cMichael bought it. He said it\u2019s from Tiffany\u2019s. I don\u2019t really know.\u201d<\/p>\n
Michael quickly chimed in. \u201cI saw it on a business trip last time and thought it would suit Mom, so I bought it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kate smiled and nodded, but in her heart, she was calculating. That bracelet must have cost at least a few thousand dollars. Michael had never bought her such expensive jewelry. For her last birthday, he had given her a sweater from Kohl\u2019s, bought on sale online.<\/p>\n
She said nothing and continued to peel apples and arrange the fruit platter.<\/p>\n
The New Year\u2019s Eve dinner was very sumptuous, with a full table of dishes. Kate made prime rib, scalloped potatoes, roasted asparagus, and a large salad. Michael opened a bottle of red wine and poured a little for everyone.<\/p>\n
\u201cHere\u2019s to a happy new year for our whole family, good health, and all the best,\u201d he said, raising his glass.<\/p>\n
Everyone clinked glasses and said, \u201cCheers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kate looked at this scene and suddenly felt it was absurd. This family was clearly falling apart; just two days ago, this man had handed her a divorce agreement, and now they were sitting together for a reunion dinner.<\/p>\n
But she smiled very naturally, serving her in\u2013laws, cutting up food for the children, and topping off Michael\u2019s wine glass. Her acting was superb, flawless.<\/p>\n
After dinner, Michael played chess with his father, and her mother\u2013in\u2013law watched the New Year\u2019s Eve specials on TV. On the screen, the countdown celebrations in Times Square filled the room with light. Kate cleaned up the kitchen. The sound of the dishwasher masked the laughter and conversation in the living room.<\/p>\n
She stood alone at the sink, wiping down the counters.<\/p>\n
\u201cMom, I\u2019ll help you,\u201d Mia ran in.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo need. Go watch TV with Grandma,\u201d Kate said, patting her daughter\u2019s head.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to stay with Mom.\u201d Mia leaned against the counter. \u201cMom, you made so much food today. Are you tired?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNot tired,\u201d Kate said. \u201cAs long as you\u2019re happy, Mom is not tired.\u201d<\/p>\n
This was half true. She was tired, but she hadn\u2019t known what true happiness was for a long time.<\/p>\n
After cleaning up the kitchen, Kate cut some fruit and brought it out. Her mother\u2013in\u2013law was talking about her niece.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s divorced and has a child. It\u2019s so hard,\u201d her mother\u2013in\u2013law sighed. \u201cI tell you, women shouldn\u2019t get divorced easily. It\u2019s always the woman who suffers.\u201d<\/p>\n
This was clearly directed at Kate.<\/p>\n
In the traditional view, a divorced woman is a failure, especially a housewife with no job.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re right, Mom,\u201d Kate agreed. \u201cSo women should have their own careers and not rely entirely on men.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her mother\u2013in\u2013law was taken aback, not expecting her to say that. Michael also glanced at her, his expression complicated.<\/p>\n
\u201cCatherine has a point,\u201d her father\u2013in\u2013law interjected. \u201cBut taking care of the family is also an important job.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kate smiled and didn\u2019t say any more. She glanced at the clock on the wall. It was almost 11:30 p.m.\u2014 time for the countdown.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll get the champagne ready,\u201d she said, standing up.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll help you,\u201d Michael also stood up and followed her into the kitchen.<\/p>\n
With the door closed, only the two of them were left in the small space.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat Mom said just now, don\u2019t take it to heart,\u201d Michael said in a low voice.<\/p>\n
\u201cI won\u2019t,\u201d Kate said as she started getting out the glasses. \u201cShe\u2019s right. It\u2019s not easy for a divorced woman.\u201d<\/p>\n
Michael was silent for a moment. \u201cKate, I know I\u2019ve made mistakes, but feelings can\u2019t be forced.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI understand.\u201d Kate arranged the glasses on a tray. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to explain. I understand everything.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her calmness made Michael uneasy. The crying, nagging, and bargaining he had expected never happened. Kate was as calm as if she had been prepared to accept all of this long ago.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter the holidays, I\u2019ll go through the procedures as soon as possible,\u201d he said. \u201cI won\u2019t give you less money or the house.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay,\u201d Kate said. \u201cYou go be with your parents. I can handle it here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Michael stood there for a few seconds and finally went out.<\/p>\n
Kate watched his back, a cold smile on her lips. He thought she was surrendering, but in fact, she was positioning herself.<\/p>\n
At midnight, the sound of cheers and fireworks rang out. On TV, the ball was dropping in Times Square. The children ran excitedly to the window to watch the neighborhood fireworks. Her in\u2013laws exchanged hugs and well\u2013wishes.<\/p>\n
\u201cLeo, Mia, come get your New Year\u2019s gift,\u201d Michael called. He took out some envelopes.<\/p>\n
The two children ran over and took the envelopes, saying sweetly, \u201cThank you, Dad. Happy New Year, Dad.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd here\u2019s yours, Catherine.\u201d Michael handed Kate an envelope.<\/p>\n
Kate took it. It was of average thickness, probably a check for a few hundred, just like in previous years.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOpen it,\u201d Michael said.<\/p>\n
Kate opened the envelope. Inside there was a check for $5,000 and a small card that said, \u201cFor all you do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kate understood. This was hush money, compensation for his conscience, the price for her to divorce him peacefully and not cause trouble.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you. It\u2019s too much,\u201d she said, handing the check back.<\/p>\n
\u201cKeep it.\u201d Michael held her hand. \u201cYou\u2019ve worked hard all these years.\u201d<\/p>\n
His hand was warm, but Kate only felt cold.<\/p>\n
She withdrew her hand and put the check in her pocket. \u201cThen thank you,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
This gesture completely reassured Michael. He thought that by accepting the money, Kate had accepted all the terms of the divorce. He would never know that what Kate wanted was far more than this.<\/p>\n
At 2:00 a.m., after seeing off her in\u2013laws and putting the children to bed, the house finally became quiet. Michael finished washing up and hesitated for a moment.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll still sleep in the guest room,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cMm. Good night,\u201d Kate replied.<\/p>\n
She went back to the master bedroom, but didn\u2019t go to sleep right away. From the depths of the closet, she took out a small fireproof box. Inside were various documents: her Social Security card, college diploma, professional certifications, and a few passbooks and bank cards. These were all things she had secretly prepared over the years. The diploma and certifications were her confidence, and the bank accounts were her way out.<\/p>\n
At the bottom was an employment contract she had just signed last week\u2014 an accountant position at a midsized firm downtown, with an annual salary of $65,000. She would start work after the holidays. The company valued her ten years of prior work experience and her recently obtained certifications and had agreed to give her a chance.<\/p>\n
Sixty\u2013five thousand dollars a year might be what Michael spent on a few business trips, but for her, it was the starting point of a new life.<\/p>\n
Kate put the things back in their place and then opened her phone to check the messages in her study group. She had scored at the top of her class in the final exam for her certification program. The instructor had sent her a private message asking if she was interested in pursuing a higher\u2013level CPA license.<\/p>\n
She replied, \u201cThank you. I will consider it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Turning off her phone, Kate lay down. The sound of fireworks outside had become sparse, with only a few sporadic pops, like the final echo of this marriage. She closed her eyes, and scenes from the past three years flashed through her mind\u2014 the shock and pain of discovering Michael\u2019s infidelity, the despair of deciding to endure it, the calmness of making a plan, and the determination of implementing it step by step.<\/p>\n
The most difficult moments had passed. Now she just needed to follow the plan and take the last few steps.<\/p>\n
On New Year\u2019s Day, Michael didn\u2019t come home until 10:00 p.m., with the faint smell of alcohol and perfume on him. Kate was reading a book in the living room.<\/p>\n
Without looking up, she asked, \u201cHave you eaten?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d Michael said a little guiltily. \u201cA client dinner. I couldn\u2019t get out of it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kate turned a page of her book. \u201cThe children are already asleep,\u201d she said. \u201cKeep your voice down.\u201d<\/p>\n
Michael stood in the middle of the living room looking at her calm profile. Suddenly, he felt an indescribable sense of unease. This unease had started when Kate had readily signed the divorce agreement and had grown stronger with time. None of the reactions he had expected had occurred\u2014 no crying, no questioning, no bargaining. Kate was as calm as if she had known this day would come, even as if she had been waiting for it.<\/p>\n
\u201cKate,\u201d he began, \u201clet\u2019s talk.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kate closed her book and looked at him. \u201cTalk about what? The divorce agreement is already signed. What else is there to talk about?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou.\u201d Michael chose his words carefully. \u201cCan you really accept it? I mean, the divorce and the children going with me?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat can I do if I can\u2019t accept it?\u201d Kate asked. \u201cCry and beg you to come back? Would that work?\u201d<\/p>\n
Michael was at a loss for words.<\/p>\n
\u201cMichael, we\u2019ve been married for twelve years. I know you,\u201d Kate said, standing up and walking over to him. \u201cYou won\u2019t change your mind about something you\u2019ve already decided. Since that\u2019s the case, why shouldn\u2019t I be more dignified and save myself some pride?\u201d<\/p>\n
What she said was logical, but Michael still felt that something was wrong. The Kate in front of him was too calm, too rational\u2014 not at all like the gentle, even somewhat timid wife he thought he knew.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs for the children, as we agreed, we\u2019ll tell them after the holidays are over,\u201d Kate said, cutting him off. \u201cDuring this period, I hope you will cooperate. At least in front of the children, we should still appear harmonious.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI will,\u201d Michael promised.<\/p>\n
Kate nodded and turned to walk toward the bedroom. After a few steps, she turned back.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy the way, as for your parents, you explain it to them yourself,\u201d she said. \u201cI don\u2019t want to hear any gossip about me from them.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI won\u2019t. I\u2019ll handle it,\u201d Michael said.<\/p>\n
Kate closed the bedroom door. Michael stood in the living room, not moving for a long time. He took out his phone, wanting to call Jessica, but after thinking about it, he put it down. For some reason, he didn\u2019t want to make that call in Kate\u2019s house.<\/p>\n
In the guest room, Michael tossed and turned. He recalled Kate\u2019s changes in recent months. She had started wearing makeup and dressing up, enrolled in an online course, and would occasionally go out to dinner with friends. At the time, he thought it was a good thing. It meant that Kate had her own life and wouldn\u2019t be too dependent on him.<\/p>\n
Now that he thought about it, these changes might have been premeditated. But he quickly dismissed the idea. How could Kate have premeditated a divorce? She was a housewife. How could she live without him?<\/p>\n
He must be overthinking it.<\/p>\n
The next day, it was customary to visit one\u2019s own parents. Kate took the children back to her parents\u2019 house. Michael used the excuse of having to work and didn\u2019t go. This was exactly what Kate wanted. She needed some time alone with her parents to talk.<\/p>\n
Kate\u2019s parents lived in the older part of town. The house was not big, but it was very clean. Her father had been a factory accountant before he retired, and her mother was an elementary school teacher. They were both honest and down\u2013to\u2013earth people.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy are you alone? Where\u2019s Michael?\u201d her mother asked as soon as she opened the door.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has something to do at the office and can\u2019t come,\u201d Kate said, putting down the gifts. \u201cDad, Mom, I have something to tell you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Seeing her serious expression, her parents exchanged a look. They both had a bad feeling.<\/p>\n
Kate had the two children go to the den to play and then closed the living room door.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong? What happened?\u201d her mother asked anxiously.<\/p>\n
\u201cMichael wants a divorce,\u201d Kate said calmly. \u201cI\u2019ve already signed.\u201d<\/p>\n
The living room went completely silent. The coffee cup in her father\u2019s hand almost fell to the ground. Her mother\u2019s face turned pale.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat divorce? Why? Is he seeing someone else?\u201d her mother finally managed.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d Kate said. \u201cIt started three years ago. I just never said anything.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow is that possible?\u201d Her mother couldn\u2019t believe it. \u201cMichael seems so decent.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMom, people change,\u201d Kate said, holding her mother\u2019s hand. \u201cDon\u2019t get too upset. Let me finish.\u201d<\/p>\n
On December 31st, New Year\u2019s Eve, Kate started bustling about early in the morning, putting out festive decorations, chilling champagne, and preparing the ingredients for the evening\u2019s dinner. Outside, the … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1073,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1074","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-story","category-story-daily"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nextstoryus.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1074","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nextstoryus.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nextstoryus.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nextstoryus.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nextstoryus.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1074"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/nextstoryus.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1074\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1077,"href":"https:\/\/nextstoryus.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1074\/revisions\/1077"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nextstoryus.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1073"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nextstoryus.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1074"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nextstoryus.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1074"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nextstoryus.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1074"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}