My Husband's Student Lover
He pressed the drawing paper against my leg, looking up with his little face and said, Mom, look, this is Daddy holding us.
I lowered my head to stroke his soft hair, but inexplicably, my fingertips trembled.
Five years ago, at the train station, an old man wearing a gray cloth shirt stopped me and said that the man beside me was "a wrong guy," warning that one day I would suffer a heartbreak because of him.
Back then, I had just made things official with Jeremy Gilman and dismissed it as the ramblings of a street charlatan, smiling as I gave him ten bucks.
Now, five years into our marriage, Jeremy becomes a university professor, Norton is five years old, and our family life is like tea brewing in warm waterso calm that not a single ripple stirs.
But that calm was completely shattered on Norton's birthday.
That day, when I went downstairs to pick up a delivery, the courier handed me a box with no sender information.
The moment I opened it, a chill ran through my limbs.
Inside was a stack of photos: Jeremy embracing a young woman at a hotel entrance, kissing her on a park bench. I recognized the girl in the photosshe was the graduate student he brought home, Linda Cosby.
What suffocated me even more was a beige coat lying at the bottom of the box.
That coat was the birthday gift I had bought Jeremy last year. He said he lost it last month by accident, but now on the collar, there was a dark red lipstick stainone I had never bought.
I sat on the porch holding the cardboard box, waiting until I heard the lock turn.
When Jeremy came back carrying a cake, he saw the box by my feet and his face instantly changed.
I threw the photo in front of him and demanded, "What is going on here?"
He crouched down to pick up the photo, flustered as he explained, "Celine, Linda has been pestering me nonstop. The photo is obviously doctored, and the coat was taken by someone else when I wasn't looking. Someone is deliberately planting it at the door to frame me."
I looked into his eyes and saw his panicsuddenly, I felt like I Never knew him.
I pulled out the divorce agreement I had drawn up that afternoon from the drawer and pushed it in front of him.
His face immediately flushed. He snatched the agreement and tore it to shreds, yelling that I was crazy, that he had never wronged me, and that I couldn't destroy our family over a few fake photos.
Norton was frightened to tears by his voice. I held the child and went into the bedroom, locking the door behind me.
In the middle of the night, I got up to cover Norton with a blanket. Passing by the living room, I heard Jeremy whispering on the sofa.
I stepped quietly and peered through the crack in the door.
He held a photo in his hand, his fingertips gently stroking the face of Linda in the picture, his voice tender as if coaxing a child.
He said, "Linda, just wait a little longer, I'll handle everything."
At that moment, the last flicker of warmth in my heart completely froze.
Early the next morning, I took Norton to Mary's house.
Mary is my closest friend. After finding out what happened between Jeremy and me, she held me tightly and said, "Don't worry, Celine. Norton won't be mistreated here with me. You just focus on sorting out your affairs."
I watched Norton and Mary's son playing happily and felt a slight relief before turning to go home.
Jeremy wasn't at home; the breakfast he made sat on the table, already cold.
I had just thrown the breakfast into the trash when my phone rang.
It was Norton's kindergarten teacher, her voice anxious: "Mrs. Hill, Norton was picked up by a young woman who said you sent her. I just wanted to confirm if that's true."
My heart jumped to my throat. I immediately called Jeremy, but his phone was off.
I thought of Linda in the photo from yesterday and, like a madwoman, rushed out of the house, driving toward the mall near the kindergartenNorton's favorite place.
In the mall's children's playground, I saw Norton.
He was sitting on a little train, Linda beside him, holding her phone and showing Norton something.
I rushed over and picked Norton up. When he saw me, he immediately burst into tears: "Mom, this lady showed me pictures of her and Dad, saying that Dad is going to live with her from now on."
Blood suddenly surged to my head as I turned to look at Linda.
She wore a white dress, an innocent smile on her face as she said, "Mrs. Hill, I just wanted to get to know Norton a little. Don't be so worked up."
I held Norton tightly, my fingers whitening from the grip. "Linda, I don't care what your relationship with Jeremy isstay away from Norton. If you dare touch him again, I swear I won't let you off."
Her smile froze, a flicker of resentment flashed in her eyes, but she quickly composed herself and turned to leave.
I was sitting on a bench holding Norton, his small hand touching my face: "Mom, don't be angry. I only want Mom! Dad and that woman are bad guys!"
I couldn't hold back my tears, and my determination grew even strongerI have to leave this marriage.
I sent Norton back to Mary's house and sat on her sofa, drinking the hot water she handed me.
Mary said, "I know a friend who's working on a project called the 'Ember Initiative' and needs someone with a relevant professional background. Are you interested?"
I've heard of the "Ember Initiative." It's a classified research project at a remote base, and you can't come home for at least five years.
I stared out at the sky and suddenly felt it was a place I could escape to.
I nodded and looked at Mary. "I'm willing to go."
Mary smiled and patted my hand. "That's great. They really need talent over there. I'll help you get in touch. Once you've settled everything here, you can go."
That night, I came home.
Jeremy was sitting in the living room. When he saw me return, he immediately stood up and tried to hug me.
I stepped aside calmly and said, "Jeremy, let's get a divorce. I've made up my mindthere's no chance for reconciliation."
His face instantly turned pale; he opened his mouth but couldn't say a word.
Three days later, I went home to get Norton's clothes.
The moment I opened the door, I froze.
The curtains in the living room were tightly drawn. Linda was wearing Jeremy's shirt, sitting on his laps with her arms wrapped around his neck.
Hearing the door open, they both turned their heads simultaneously.
A flicker of panic crossed Linda's face, then quickly shifted to a defiant smirk as she deliberately leaned closer into Jeremy's arms. "Celine, you're back."
Jeremy suddenly shoved Linda aside and stood up, angrily snapping, "Linda, I told you, I have a wife and kids. Don't bother me. Just drop off the materials and leave quickly!"
Linda's eyes reddened as she looked at Jeremy with a pitiful expression. "Dr. Gilman, didn't you say you liked me? Why are you pushing me away now?"
I watched the scene before me, feeling no angeronly a deep, sickening disgust.
I walked to the bedroom door, just about to open it, when Linda suddenly rushed over and grabbed my arm. "Mrs. Hill, please, give Dr. Gilman to me. We truly love each other."
I forcefully shook her hand off; she lost her footing, fell to the ground, and cried out for "Dr. Gilman."
Jeremy ran over, helped Linda up, then turned and glared at me. "Celine, there's no need to sink to her levelshe's just a little girl!"
I looked at Jeremy and suddenly found it ridiculous. "Jeremy, are you blind? It was she who grabbed my hand first. Are you blaming me now?"
He opened his mouth, struggling to argue. "Celine, act your age. Don't get so worked up. If you have something to say, say it properly."
"Say it properly?" I pointed at Linda on the floor. "She's wearing your shirt, sitting on your laps, and you expect me to 'speak properly' with her? Jeremy, do you think I'm blind? Or am I such a fool that I'd tolerate a mistress swaggering into my own house?"
I walked to the center of the living room, staring at them both with nothing but disgust: "Jeremy, I don't care what you two haveI'm divorcing you. And Linda, if you come anywhere near Norton again, I'll make you regret ever being born."
Linda's face went pale as she hid behind Jeremy, too afraid to speak.
Jeremy looked at me, his eyes filled with helplessness and guilt. "Celine, I know I was wrong. Give me one more chanceI'll cut ties with her completely."
I shook my head. "It's too late, Jeremy. When you called her name in front of the photo a few days ago, did you think I didn't see? It's truly over between us."
I grabbed Norton's clothes and turned to leave.
As the door closed, I heard Linda's crying and Jeremy's sighs.
That night, I lay awake in Mary's guest room, unable to sleep.
I recalled when I first met Jeremyhe was lecturing on the university podium, sunlight streaming over him, gentle yet radiant.
I remembered when we got married; he promised he would treat me well for a lifetime, that he would make me and our child forever happy.
But now, all those promises have become a cruel joke.
I don't know what Jeremy is thinkingperhaps he's still hesitating, or maybe he still hopes to make amends.
I don't know what Linda is thinking eithermaybe she truly believed Jeremy would marry her, or perhaps she's simply intent on destroying my family.
But none of this matters anymore. I just want to get divorced as soon as possible and start a new life with Norton.
One week later, the university where Jeremy works was holding its School Anniversary.
As an outstanding teacher, he was going on stage to receive an award.
And he invited me to attend. After all, we used to be their school's most prominent "model couple" of teachers and students.
I didn't want to go at first, but Mary told me to, so I could finally let go of any lingering hope.
The school anniversary was lively, with students and alumni everywhere dressed in school uniforms.
Jeremy and I sat in the guest seats. He tried to take my hand, but I pulled away.
The people around us were watching and whispering. I knew they were talking about the change between us.
It was time for the award ceremony. Jeremy went on stage to receive his award, and then the host called my name.
That was for a project I had worked on in cooperation with the school before, which also won an award.
I walked onto the stage and accepted the trophy. Just as I was about to step down, someone suddenly bumped into me.
I lost my balance, and the trophy fell to the ground, shattering into pieces.
The person who bumped into me was Linda. She was dressed as a pageant hostess, wearing an apologetic expression, and insincerely said, "Mrs. Hill, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."
I looked into the pride in her eyes, fully aware it was intentional.
I said nothing, bent down to pick up the shards, and my finger got cut, bleeding.
At that moment, chaos suddenly erupted at the scene.
A man dressed in black charged in, holding a knife, shouting Jeremy's name and threatening to kill him.
The crowd screamed and scattered. I grabbed Jeremy, trying to hide.
But just as the man surged forward, Linda suddenly shoved me.
Caught off guard, I bumped right into the man; the knife in his hand grazed my shoulder blade, causing a sharp pain.
I collapsed to the ground, looking at Linda, who wore a victorious smile on her face.
Jeremy saw me injured and froze momentarily, then suddenly heard Linda scream, "Dr. Gilman!"
He immediately rushed over, caught the fainted Linda in his arms, and shouted for an ambulance.
Then he ran toward the door holding Linda, without once looking back at me.
I lay on the ground, blood from my shoulder blade soaking my clothes, but the pain in my heart was far worse than the one on my body.
People gathered around, and someone called an ambulance for me.
At the hospital, the doctor stitched me up and said fortunately the bone wasn't injured.
I lay on the hospital bed; Jeremy finally came.
He carried a fruit basket in his hand, his face weary. "Celine, are you okay?"
I looked at him, expressionless. "Jeremy, what about Linda?"
He hesitated for a moment, then replied, "Linda just fainted from shock, it's nothing serious."
I smiled bitterly. "Jeremy, you're so unbelievable. I was stabbed by your enemy, and the one you care about is your mistress."
His face flushed. "Celine, the circumstances were exceptional. I saw you were still conscious, but Linda was unconscious..."
I cut him off: "Shut up, Jeremy. We're getting a divorce. This time, you have to sign."
He frowned. "Celine, don't push me. I don't want a divorce."
I pulled a divorce agreement and a voice recorder out of my bag.
"Jeremy, in here is the recording of your call with Linda yesterday, and I also copied the surveillance footage from the school anniversary today, where Linda pushed me, onto my phone. If I hand all this over to the school and the media, do you think your reputation and your job can still be saved?"
His face went pale in an instant; when he looked at me, his eyes were filled with disbelief.
I continued, "Jeremy, your reputation is all you care about. If you don't want to be ruined, you'd better sign this agreement quickly."
He was silent for a long time before finally picking up the pen and signing the divorce agreement with trembling hands.
I stared at his signature, feeling no shockonly a sense of relief.
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