Chapter 2The Year I Stopped Loving You

"Joanna, aren't you and your mom just after my family's money?"

The mocking voice overlapped with my memory. Even after a year, it still smashed me to pieces.

Tears fell onto the table. When I snapped back, the call had ended.

A transfer of $150,000 hit my bank account. Followed by a voice message.

"50k for food. 100k for your errand fee. Chloe dropped a bra strap in the sofa crack. Find it and bring it to her when you come to work on Monday."

I moved the couple's pillow and found the black strap in the crevice.

We picked this sofa together.

I loved it at first sight. Julian tested its softness and smiled:

"Size is perfect. I apply for extra pillows so we can be more comfortable."

Lovers' talk, always a bit suggestive.

I scolded him, he laughed. We picked item after item, decorating our dream home.

But now, seeing the things I carefully chose sharing space with him and another woman... I felt repulsed.

Since I'm leaving, throw them all away.

I packed from dawn to dusk. Eight years of feelings turned into five boxes of trash and one suitcase.

Confirming the house was devoid of my traces, the discomfort finally eased.

Only one thing left.

I took a photo album from the bedside drawer. 279 photos, all torn and taped back together.

From graduation to college, cohabitation, and work. The photos recorded our entire youth.

The last one was New Year's Eve last year. We toasted under fireworks, celebrating our seventh year.

Three days after that photo was taken.

Uncle Richard (Julian's dad) and my divorced Mom announced at dinner that they wanted to be together.

Julian kept a straight face and agreed. I was happy too.

But back at our home, he tore the photos and threw them at my face.

"Joanna, you and your mom are so cheap. Just after my family's money? 'Kissing cousins'? Disgusting!"

I stood there, bewildered, watching him vent his rage.

Julian and I found out at the same time. I thought he genuinely accepted it.

I took out all the photos, tore them again along the taped cracks, and threw them into the trash.