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I could see her considering it. She'd already thought about this—I just gave her a push.
Lily said coyly, “How about this—I divorce you, stay with Jake for a few years. When he's gone, I'll come back to you.”
“But you have to promise not to marry anyone else. Stay loyal to me. Or I won't take you back.”
Wow. Even without a brain, her ego is intact. The audacity.
I said, “If that's the case, let's not split assets. Too much hassle.”
Lily said, “No way. If I marry Jake, I need a proper dowry. I can't show up empty-handed.”
“I won't let his family look down on me.”
Seriously? A dowry from your ex-husband for your next marriage?
But I didn't argue. Aside from the $25k she took, we had little shared property.
The house was bought with Mom's money—Lily had no claim. We agreed: I keep the house and car; she keeps the stolen $25k.
After signing the divorce papers, I felt a weight lift.
All those years wasted—but it was finally over.
Free from Lily, I started thinking about a career change. My job was low-paying with no future.
An old college friend reached out—his company was expanding overseas and needed an engineer for a three-year assignment.
He recommended me. They'd even help with Mom's visa so she could come with.
I asked Mom—she said she'd love to see the world.
So it was settled.
Before leaving, some friends threw me a goodbye party.
My buddy Mark asked, “After all that, are you really just walking away? No payback?”
I said, “I don't start fights, but I don't run from them either. I'm not wishing them well, but I won't do anything illegal.”
“Jake has a history with women. He's been involved with his manager's wife.”
“I may have tipped off the manager. Jake will be out of a job soon. And with his reputation, he won't work in this industry again.”
“He's sick, unemployed. Lily's in for a hard time. I don't need to lift a finger—just wait.”
Mark grinned. “Dude, I'm used to you being the nice guy. This side of you is new.”
I told him to get lost.
Mom's health improved overseas. She adapted well—joined local senior groups in the Chinese community.
She even tried setting me up on dates. I kept refusing.
Eventually, she thought I was still hung up on Lily.
I had to confess: I was seeing someone. Lena, a colleague from work.
We clicked right away. And after my marriage, I learned relationships take two.
Lena and I were good together.
Mom was thrilled and insisted on meeting her.
“Mom, we just started dating. Don't scare her off.”
But eventually, I brought Lena home. Mom loved her and started pushing for marriage.
We took our time—waited till the following autumn to wed.
Meanwhile, I heard updates about Lily.
She married Jake right after our divorce.
With his health and no income, no one else would have him. Only Lily, with her idealized image of him, would say yes.
Jake wanted a child—he feared he didn't have long to live.
But that wish likely won't come true.
Lily has PCOS, blocked tubes, and insulin resistance. Her first pregnancy was a miracle.
Then she had an abortion, donated liver without recovery, and Jake's also weak… The odds are stacked against them.
They'd have better luck winning the lottery.
When Lily didn't conceive, Jake's family turned on her.
She started regretting her choice—asked around about me, wanted me back.
But no one who knew me would tell her where I was.
