My hand had just touched the doorknob when I heard a knock from outside. I opened the door to find Elizabeth Larson standing there with a bright smile.

"Alicia, these eggs are from the hens back home. Thought you could use a little nourishment."

But I knew she hadn't come all this way just to bring me eggs. There was something else on her mind. "Come on in, Elizabeth. Have a seat."

As soon as she stepped inside, her eyes landed on Jacob.

"You're here too, huh? Now, don't take this the wrong way, but a married man shouldn't be keeping other women in his thoughts. Taking care of your own wife is what matters most."

Jacob didn't say a word. He kept his head down, eating, but the guilty look he shot me told plenty.

I brought over some juice and set a cup in front of Elizabeth, who waved her hand politely. "I won't stay long. I just wanted to say a few words before I run off to take my grandson to school."

I smiled and thanked her. After she left, I noticed someone else standing just outside the door—Wendy, hovering like she wasn't sure whether to come in or run.

"Jacob," I called out into the house, loud and clear, "Wendy's waiting for you outside."

Jacob flinched like he'd been shocked. His spoon slipped from his hand and clattered to the floor.

Wendy rushed forward and whispered, "Alicia, there's nothing going on between me and Jacob. Don't make this into something it's not—"

Her words nearly made me laugh.

I gave her a cold look. "Wendy, don't come at me with that innocent little act. You might be able to fool Jacob with that face, but not me.

"You and your son have been living off our money for years. I'm giving you three days to pay it all back. If you don't, I'll let the whole neighborhood know—radio station and all."

Her face went pale. "Jacob only helped us out because I was alone and struggling. It was just some groceries and a few things for Oliver—"

"He never told you how much he's spent, did he? Before the marriage, whatever he did with his money was none of my business. But after we tied the knot, it became our shared income.

"He's been spending at least eighty percent of his salary on you every month. That's over 25 thousand dollars in five years—and that's a conservative estimate. If you refuse to pay it back, I will go to the police."

The number hit Wendy like a slap in the face.

With eyes full of tears, she turned and looked at Jacob. "Jacob, say something. Please."

Jacob barely breathed. "Wendy… you should return the money. It's not a small sum. Do it for me, okay?"

Wendy's face crumbled. She dropped to her knees in front of me and sobbed. "Alicia, please… have a little mercy. I'm raising a child on my own. Where am I supposed to come up with that kind of money?"

I was done listening to her. I went straight to the factory where Jacob and Wendy worked and asked to see their supervisor, Paul Johnson.

"Mr. Johnson, I'm not asking for sympathy or a mediator. I just want my money back. That's all."

Paul handed me a cup of water, trying to ease the tension. "Mrs. Carter, I've seen how much effort you've put into your marriage.

"You've been nothing but devoted—Jacob's in the wrong here. I'll help you get your money. But divorce… that's not a small matter."

"Mr. Johnson, I've already filed my application to go abroad. I will be leaving next week to continue my studies.

"Who knows when or if I'll be back. A divorce and letting him marry Wendy would be better for all of us."

Paul looked stunned. I couldn't blame him. People had long since written the label of "perfect wife" onto me.

No one expected me, the devoted homemaker, to suddenly pack my bags and study overseas.

But Paul wasn't the type to get in the way of ambition. "Mrs. Carter, this is a great opportunity for you. You've got my support. Just take care of yourself out there.

"As for Jacob… he had high hopes of becoming the employee of the year. I'd never thought he'd be this clueless."

Before he even finished speaking, Jacob barged into the office. "Mr. Johnson, don't listen to her. She's lying! We're not getting divorced!

"You're going abroad and didn't even talk to me first? How could you make such a big decision without saying anything?"

Wendy rushed in right behind him, sobbing, then collapsed dramatically onto the floor. "Mr. Johnson, please help me! I can't possibly pay back that kind of money."

The ruckus had already drawn a crowd of curious workers.

I stayed perfectly calm. "If you two don't mind making a scene, be my guest. But this divorce? It's happening. And I will get my money back."

Wendy screamed through her tears. "25 thousand dollars? How am I supposed to live with my son after that? I might as well be dead!"

Then, without warning, she grabbed the windowsill and tried to climb out like she was going to jump.

The moment Jacob saw what was happening, he rushed over and wrapped his arms around Wendy tightly. She sobbed uncontrollably while Jacob murmured soft reassurances, trying to calm her down.

Paul was completely fed up. "Have you two no shame? This is in public—people are watching!

"Mrs. Carter, please go home and get some rest. I promise I'll give you a proper explanation for all of this."

I gave a small nod, turned, and walked away.

Jacob started after me, but Wendy clung to him with all her might, refusing to let go.

I had no desire to deal with either of them anymore. I left without a word, booked a flight, and went home.

When I came back, Jacob was storming down the street. He was red-faced with frustration, while Wendy trailed behind like a scolded child.

I didn't know what had happened after I left, and frankly, I didn't care. I slipped the plane ticket into my pocket, ignored the sight of them entirely, and walked into the house.

Not long after, they appeared at my door, dragging a chaotic pile of bags and boxes into the hallway.

Wendy's face was pale and twisted with anger.

Jacob was the first to speak. "Alicia, I brought back all your things. Let's not get divorced, alright?"

Before I could answer, Wendy snapped, "Alicia, everything's been returned! I don't want a single thing now! Is that enough for you now?"

Then she turned on Jacob. "You don't need to care if Oliver and I starve to death. Let us freeze in the wind for all I care!"

I glanced at the mess they'd brought back—cheap household junk, and even the eggs Jacob had bought her just two days ago.

I clapped my hands and laughed. "Wendy, for the past five years, Jacob's been supporting your son. He paid for everything you eat and use.

"Your husband's parents died young, and all the compensation money went straight into your hands. I'd bet you've got a decent savings tucked away. Starve to death? Please, don't be so dramatic."

News of my confrontation at their workplace had already spread through the neighborhood. The hallway was packed with people eager to watch the spectacle—it was more lively than festivals.

Jacob's face turned scarlet. "Wendy! I've done so much for you all these years. Can't you just stop? For the sake of what we used to have? Even if you're not ashamed, I am!"

Elizabeth stepped in, trying to ease the tension. "Alicia, this kind of scene doesn't help anyone. No matter what, life has to go on."

I knew she meant well. People of her generation believed that family matters should never be aired in public.

But I had nothing to be ashamed of. I'd done everything right. As for Jacob and Wendy, they were about to become irrelevant.

I took Elizabeth's hand. "Elizabeth, I've already made up my mind. I'm getting a divorce. In five days, I'll be flying overseas for further studies. I've bought the ticket."

I gestured toward the pile in the hallway. "If there's anything here your grandson could use, please take it. I'll sell the rest to the scrap collector."

Elizabeth glanced between Jacob and Wendy, clearly uneasy.

I gently pulled her toward a few items. "This little car should be perfect for your grandson. And these are brand new clothes—they should be just about his size.

"Oh, and take the eggs too—no point letting them go to waste."

She thanked me over and over, then leaned in and whispered, "But Alicia, was what you said real? Are you really going abroad? Doesn't that just hand them the win?"

I nodded. "I am, Elizabeth. I’m still young, and I won't let petty love affairs hold me back.

"Jacob didn't know how to treasure what he had. But building a brighter future for our country—that's worth everything."

Elizabeth gave a silent nod of support. As she passed Jacob, she shook her head and muttered under her breath, "You had such a good wife. How could you throw that away?"

Under the weight of a dozen watching eyes, Jacob didn't even dare to say a word.

Wendy, looking like she'd been gravely wronged, pouted and stormed off to her room. Moments later, she came back holding an envelope.

"Here's 20 thousand dollars. It's everything I've got, and I'm giving it all to you. As for the 5 thousand dollars? You decide whether my life is worth that much or not."

Jacob's expression softened the moment he saw her like that. "Wendy, come on… What are you doing? You don't need to rush to pay it back. Just take your time."

I shot Jacob a glance, then reached out and took the envelope from Wendy's hand. Right in front of her, I started counting the bills.

"One, two, three… exactly 20 thousand dollars. As for the remaining 5 thousand dollars, consider it my wedding gift for you. Keep it. No need to pay it back."

Jacob panicked. "Alicia! Don't say nonsense like that. Everyone around here can hear you, and everyone knows you're my wife!"

I gave a cold laugh. "Sure. Anyway, everyone knows you spend every other day running off to Wendy's place. We all know who you really care about."

Wendy's face lit up like she'd just won a prize.

Jacob's voice turned solemn, almost like he was taking an oath. "Alicia, I will never divorce you!"

Wendy's smile vanished in an instant.

I didn't respond. I just turned and walked back into the house.

Jacob trailed close behind, as if afraid I might disappear the second he took his eyes off me.

I pulled the envelope back out. I'd meant to leave 10 thousand dollars for Jacob. After all, he was the one who earned it.

But then Wendy suddenly cried out from outside to grab Jacob's attention. He bolted for the door without a second thought, only to hesitate once he got there.

He glanced back at me, the wife who'd just asked him for a divorce. He looked caught, stuck between guilt and instinct.

I waved my hand. "Go. We're neighbors. Helping each other out is a decent thing to do."

Relieved, he rushed out.

A little while later, Elizabeth knocked and came in.

"I just saw Wendy twist her ankle, and Jacob picked her up like a hero and ran straight to the hospital. Who knows if she's really hurt or just putting on a show?

"You're still here, and they're already like this. Once you go abroad, they're going to lose their minds."

I let out a light laugh. "Honestly, Elizabeth, I've already made up my mind to leave. Let them do whatever they want. Since there's nothing else tying me down now, I can finally further my studies in peace.

"Oh, and here's 10 thousand dollars. Give it to Jacob for me, will you? I've finished all the paperwork. I'm leaving tomorrow morning."

Elizabeth was caught off guard. "So soon? Why the sudden rush?"

I kept packing as I answered, "I was worried Jacob might try to stop me when the time came. So I'm leaving ahead of schedule without informing him."

Seeing how resolute I was, Elizabeth just shook her head and sighed. She didn't try to talk me out of it.

The next morning, before the sun was even up, I slipped out of the house with my suitcase in tow. The only thing I left behind for Jacob was a signed divorce agreement.

The moment the plane took off, I felt lighter than I had in years.

In my past life, I threw everything I had into that marriage. I didn't even leave the town, let alone the country. And in the end? I had nothing to show for it.

Even after death, my soul was trapped. I had to watch Jacob and Wendy act like a happy couple every single day. I was furious but stuck in a silent torment.

I watched them act all lovey-dovey until I was given a second life.

And this time, I finally understood—there was nothing more important than becoming the best version of myself and repaying the country.