Unending Memories — Chapter 5
When Yu Jin glared at me with those furious eyes, my heart tightened in fear.
But honestly, I just wanted this marriage over with as soon as possible.
His mother had looked hesitant before — until my stepmother suddenly added with a sly smile:
“Well, the rice is already cooked. If Yan Shuang ends up pregnant and you still go through with the divorce, wouldn’t your family lose a precious grandson?”
That hit the nerve.
The old woman instantly nodded in agreement.
“That’s true, that’s true. I don’t want my grandson taking someone else’s last name!”
Hearing that, my heart sank.
So the divorce was off the table.
After lunch, I walked my stepmother to the door.
The moment we stepped outside, I lowered my voice and asked through clenched teeth:
“Why didn’t you let me divorce that bastard?”
She gave me an annoyed look.
“Yu Jin chased you for two years. Even I could tell he truly liked you. You young people don’t understand — what’s the point of rushing into a marriage and rushing out again?”
“What ‘true feelings’? He can’t wait to get rid of me now!”
My voice cracked as I grabbed her sleeve.
“Mom, please. Give the bride price back to them. I don’t want to stay married to him!”
But she yanked her arm free and stared at me coldly.
“That money went toward buying your brother a house. If you want a divorce, you can pay it back yourself. Don’t come asking me — I don’t have it.”
With that, she turned away and walked off briskly, waving down a taxi without looking back.
I stood there helpless.
The bride price had been huge — how could I ever repay it with my small monthly salary?
It would take years… maybe a lifetime.
Back home, no one spoke to me.
Yu Jin had gone to work, my father-in-law was out for a walk, and my mother-in-law sat in the living room watching TV.
The red wedding decorations were still stuck to the front door.
Just seeing them brought back the humiliation of yesterday.
My nose stung, tears threatening to fall.
They say a woman’s wedding day is supposed to be the happiest day of her life —
so why was mine the most miserable?
It wasn’t fair.
I couldn’t stand sharing a house with that disgusting man anymore.
I didn’t even want him to touch me.
Before the wedding, I could still reject him openly — but now, as his wife, even if he forced me, it would be “legal.”
Thinking back to how my stepmother had pushed me into this marriage, I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time.
I must have been blind.
But regret meant nothing now.
After a long moment, I made up my mind.
I took out a red pen and dotted my skin with little red marks — scattered all over.
Combined with the bruises from yesterday, it really looked convincing.
Then I started scratching at my arms as I walked out to the living room, muttering loudly enough to be heard:
“That’s strange… why am I so itchy today?”
My mother-in-law, who was watching TV, turned her head.
She hadn’t paid much attention at first, but then asked casually,
“You don’t have some kind of infection, do you?”
I froze for a second, pretending to hide my panic.
“Of course not, Mom. I’m fine — how could I have anything like that?”
My attempt to act calm only made her more suspicious.
She motioned for me to come closer.
When I did, she leaned forward just enough to look — without actually getting near me — and saw my bruised arms covered with red spots.
Her face twisted immediately.
She recoiled and said sharply,
“Go to the hospital. What if it’s contagious?”
I nodded obediently and turned to leave, but as I walked away, I heard her muttering under her breath:
“What a cursed girl.”
I gave a bitter smile.
The world was cold — and only I truly felt how cold it was.
