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"Sorry,I'm a bit traumatized."
"Even if he survives,Eric's spine damage means he'll be wheelchair-bound for life."
I sighed.
"Despite everything,we were married.I should see him."
Eric cursed me on sight.
But he could only curse.
Bedridden,declared permanently paralyzed,he was utterly broken.
I smiled brightly.
"I gave the police the footage of you and Lily plotting together.You're luckier than her—she's jailed.But you're paralyzed,so it's probation for you."
"Don't worry,I'll care for you.I'm your wife."
I leaned close,whispering,"You'll rot,stink,and die like a pool of smelly sludge at home."
Spouses can be lovers,comrades.
Or the knife stabbing at each other,the hand refusing to sign on the paper before operation, and outsiders could do nothing.
Eric understood,roaring hoarsely,unable to even grab me.
The police and doctors shook their heads but said nothing.
He tried to kill me—couldn't I just said something harsh?
I brought Eric home,calling his parents.
Learning he was paralyzed,they raged,blaming me for the trip,demanding I care for him forever.
But when I said he was a criminal awaiting trial,they faltered,begging.
"It's all Lily's fault,seducing our Eric.He was just confused."
"You can't abandon him now!"
Eric's eyes bulged,begging them to take him away,but they avoided his gaze.
"You're married.We're old,not as thorough.Plus,your sister-in-law's due,insisting we help with her baby."
They left,abandoning a despairing Eric.
I patted his face,smiling."See how lucky you are?Most wives would ditch their men under such circumstances,but not me.We're bound by the system."
"Unless I agree,you're stuck with me forever."
Eric's eyes were hollow,hopeless.
I parked him by the window all day,then went to work.
At the company,people pitied me,I was not surprised at all—Eric was already the"abuser."
His fat boss ally was deemed shady by the CEO,soon fired for misconduct.
With sympathy and skill,I got promoted,taking his spot.
Back home,Eric reeked.I pinched my nose.
"I'm out working,and you laze,waiting to be served?"
I stripped his and splashed water on him.He roared,humiliated.
I rolled my eyes.
"Quit yelling.You're pathetic.Even your parents ditched you,but I'm here.Be grateful."
I was never gonna pity him—he'd have killed me if his plan had worked,leaving my parents heartbroken.
Now,life was good.I fed him scraps when I felt like it,or let him starve.
In two weeks,he was skeletal.He threatened to commit suicide,demanding I call his parents.
"I want a divorce!"
He begged,falling from his chair,breaking teeth.
His parents,unable to see their son suffer after all,took him to finalize the divorce.
Both agreeing,the system didn't intervene,only gave a sigh.
