We Stopped In The Crowd

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The reunion was over.

Hannah suddenly said, Ethan, lets get a divorce.

I wasnt surprised. Even if hes a complete jerk, you still love him?

Hannah let out a light laugh. You forget, Im a jerk too.

Jerks and jerks, a match made in heaven.

I chuckled suddenly. Alright.

A divorce was perfect. The spot she'd vacate was long since spoken for.

Hannah seemed surprised by how readily I agreed.

But it was only for a second before she suppressed that subtle flicker of feeling, looking at me calmly.

Ill bring the papers tomorrow. Whats yours is yours, you wont lose a penny.

I nodded. Okay.

Hannah!

A voice suddenly called from behind.

Liam, obviously drunk, stumbled over and threw his arms around her. Long time no see, sweetheart. All these years, have you missed me?

Hannah didnt push him away. She even wrapped her arm around his waist, a softness in her eyes I hadnt seen in our three years of marriage.

Hannah, why arent you saying anything?

Liam suddenly looked at me, his eyes hazy, and pointed a finger, cursing.

Hannah, have you fallen for this goody-two-shoes? Guys like him must be dead fish in bed. I used to show you so many tricks back in the day. Can you really stand a dead fish now?

He got louder and louder, finally lunging at me, ready to strike.

Hannah caught his wrist, then turned to me. Im sorry, hes drunk.

Even though I was her husband in that moment, her first instinct was to apologize to me for another man.

I gave a self-deprecating laugh. Its fine, I dont mind. If theres nothing else, Ill head home.

Hannah mumbled, Im not coming back tonight. Ill see you tomorrow.

My footsteps faltered, but I said nothing.

Back home, I looked at the marital home wed shared for three years.

From the hopeful anticipation when we first got our license, to the sting of hearing her blurt out Liams name during our first time together. Then the pain, the disappointment, when she had a fever and mistook me for Liam. Now, there was only numbness.

Ten years. My entanglement with Hannah was finally over.

I let out a soft laugh and walked into the bedroom to pack.

I didnt have much stuff; one suitcase was enough.

After packing, I lay down, expecting insomnia, but I fell asleep the moment my eyes closed.

I even dreamt, for the first time in ages, of seeing Hannah for the first time.

Every school had its popular figures.

Hannah was the most famous at Northwood High.

She was popular, smart, and her only flaw, perhaps, was how often she changed boyfriends.

Back then, I disliked people like her, even thought anyone who liked her was crazy.

Until that day, when my friends dragged me to watch her long jump.

There was a huge crowd, and I was pushed to the very front.

I felt uncomfortable and was about to leave.

But then, a jacket, smelling of sweet flowers and fruit, landed squarely on my head.

I nervously pulled it off, meeting a bright, dazzling face. Hey, mind holding my jacket?

In that moment, my heart nearly hammered out of my chest.

From that day on, I had a secret crush.

In junior year, to be in her class, I chose science, a subject I had no interest in.

Watching her go through boyfriend after boyfriend, I felt terrible, but had no right to say anything.

I just continued with the anonymous love letters, one after another.

This went on until just before graduation. I didnt want to have any regrets, so I wrote a signed love letter, intending to confess to her in person.

But when I got to the classroom, I saw her kissing her new boyfriend.

The boy stood beside her, blushing. She raised an eyebrow, smiling at me. Hey, what class are you in? My boyfriends shy, mind closing the door?

It was then I realized that with graduation so close, she didnt even know we were in the same class, let alone my name.

The next day, I waited all morning, but Hannah never showed up.

I called her dozens of times, but couldnt get through.

Finally, I couldn't take it anymore. I got up and went to her office.

Only to be told Hannah hadn't come to work.

Unusual.

A workaholic, not showing up for work.

Who it was for was obvious.

Suddenly, my phone rang.

It was my buddy, Dean.

The moment I answered, a furious shout came from the other end. Ethan! Hannahs cheating! I just saw some dude taking her to an abortion clinic!

Im going to go kill those two dirtbags right now! How dare they do this to you!

That bitch! That scumbag! Im going to make him pay!

Beep

Before I could say a word, the call disconnected.

Without thinking, I quickly hailed a cab to the hospital.

As soon as I reached the entrance of the gynecology department, I heard Deans loud voice.

Hannah! Youre a married woman, and now youre cheating! And you actually brought your side piece to get an abortion in broad daylight!

And you, you damn jerk, have some shame! Being a homewrecker!

Today, Im going to make sure you two dirtbags dont leave here alive! Im going to make you both die!

Bitch! Bitch! Hannah, do you really think Ethan deserves this? After loving you for ten years, after what he did for you

Dean! I rushed in and interrupted him, pulling him back.

Seeing Hannah, pale and weak, being held by Liam, I pressed my lips together. Im sorry, my friend lost his temper.

Hannahs tone was icy. Control him. If hes ever so careless with his words again, I wont let it go.

With that, she and Liam left.

Deans eyes widened instantly. Ethan! Why are you apologizing to her? Shes the one in the wrong!

I pursed my lips. Dean, thats Liam.

Dean froze.

I told him everything from the moment the reunion started last night until it ended.

After hearing everything, Dean took a deep breath. So, just because Liam broke up with that woman and came back from abroad, and went to a reunion, Hannah wants to divorce you?

I nodded.

Why the hell? Dean slammed his hand on a table, his eyes bloodshot. That guy treated Hannah like dirt, then dumped her, and even hit her with his car, almost killing her. You were the one who saved her, your hand crushed and bloody, so badly you could never hold a scalpel again. You nursed her out of the hospital, stayed by her side. Why does she get to just say I want a divorce now?

No! Im going to tell her! Even if you divorce, I want her conscience to be plagued with guilt.

I grabbed his arm. Dean, its pointless. Now, I genuinely want this divorce. Im done loving her.

Dean stared at me intently, as if disbelieving.

After all, every time Id said I was done loving her, Id ended up eating my words.

But this time, I was truly tired.

I even felt that Hannah was, well, just Hannah.

Saying goodbye to Dean, I asked the nurse for Hannahs room number.

As I approached the door, I heard laughter from inside.

Hannah, I treated you like dirt back then, and then hit you with my ex-girlfriend in the car, and you still love me! Even divorcing that goodie-two-shoes for me!

I froze, looking up at the scene inside.

Hannah, her expression consistently gentle towards Liam, said nothing.

Liam seemed bored and leaned in to kiss her.

Hannah didnt dodge, wanting to deepen the kiss.

But in the next second, Liam pulled away, his lips curled in a mocking sneer. Hannah, youre such a slut!

Hannah suddenly grabbed his chin and bit him.

The sound of wet kissing filled the room instantly.

After who knows how long, Hannah released him, her voice slightly breathless. Yes, Im a slut! A slut who fell for you! A slut who loved you year after year.

Year after year?

Could a wild child like her even love?

I tugged at the corner of my mouth, about to leave.

Liam suddenly saw me.

He hooked his arm around Hannah. What about your goodie-two-shoes husband? Dont you love him? After all, hes liked you for ten years.

Hannahs hoarse voice responded, The goodie-two-shoes is just a fallback for a mess like me. Someone like you, though, youre my perfect match.

Liam burst out laughing, then lifted his chin. Hey, your fallback is outside.

Hannah stiffened, turning to look at me.

My nails dug into my palm as I forced a smile. I just came to ask when you can sign the divorce papers.

Any demands you have, feel free to make them.

Hannah handed me the documents.

I flipped to the last page, signed my name, and handed it back to her with a smile. Its fine, you wouldnt screw me over anyway.

Hannah looked at the mans smile opposite her, finding it inexplicably grating.

But wasnt this exactly what she wanted right now?

A divorce, then tying herself to that scumbag, Liam.

Hannah shook her head, about to sign her name, when her phone suddenly rang.

She murmured an apology and stood up to answer it.

I dont know what was said on the other end, but her face suddenly changed, and she started to walk out.

I immediately grabbed the papers and stood up, blocking her way. Just sign, itll only take a few seconds.

Hannah sharply looked up, her dark eyes fixed on me.

I kept smiling, maintaining my stance.

She took the pen, signed her name with a flourish.

Ive already contacted the civil affairs office. Itll take at least seven days to get the divorce certificate.

Seven days.

I silently calculated the timing for my wedding with the other woman.

It was enough.

Back home, I immediately shipped my belongings to Emerald City.

By the time I was done, it was evening.

Just as I was about to rest, I received a call from the precinct.

Hello, are you Ms. Hannah Andersons husband? Your wife has been reported for unlawful restraint. Wed appreciate it if you could come down to the station.

I didn't want to go, but we weren't officially divorced yet.

Fine, one last time.

When I arrived, I saw Hannahs face was grim, and beside her sat a smirking Liam.

Seeing me, an officer immediately stepped forward. Do you know this gentleman? He claims Ms. Anderson imprisoned him and that he was recaptured after escaping, with attempts to assault him in the car.

Before I could speak, Hannah suddenly interjected, Hes my fianc. Theres no imprisonment or assault. Were in a legitimate relationship.

With that, she suddenly pulled out a yellowed but well-preserved piece of paper.

On it was Liams promise, written the year they first got together, right after high school graduation.

She had kept it perfectly, even carried it close to her heart.

It showed just how much she loved him.

The officers eyes widened. But isnt Mr. Carter your husband?

I gave a strained smile. Were already divorced. We just havent received the certificate yet.

In the end, it turned out to be a misunderstanding.

By the time we left the police station, it was deep into the night.

Hannah went to get the car.

Only Liam and I remained.

He looked at me, then suddenly laughed. Ethan, you havent changed all these years, still fawning over Hannah as always.

I said nothing.

Liam continued, Do you want to know why Hannah likes me?

He suddenly leaned closer. Because the person she should like is you.

I froze.

Liam went on, She received so many love letters back then, but she only kept yours. At first, I didnt know it was you who wrote them, until one time, during recess, I came back early and saw you putting a letter into her locker that was identical to the purple envelopes she kept.

Later, after you threw that confession letter into the trash, I picked it up. On graduation day, I crossed out your name, wrote mine, and confessed to her. She agreed, even told me those letters were interesting and she liked them a lot. Thats how we got together. That wild child even settled down for me.

I stood rigid, from head to toe.

Liams laugh grew even more arrogant.

I went through all those letters you wrote to her later. They were pretty interesting, actually. You remembered what she liked to eat, what she liked to drink, even what she did every day, like a diary. Oh, and one more thing,

After college, you heard Hannah and I broke up, so you mustered the courage to pursue her. Too bad, she immediately sent me the chat history and asked me to reply to you on her behalf. All those ambiguous messages during those two years? I sent them, deliberately leading you on. You have no idea how much fun I had watching you dance around for me.

Later, Hannah and I broke up and got back together repeatedly. Even during that time, reports surfaced of me with different women in hotels, and she never said a word.

Ethan, ultimately, I have to thank you. Youre the one who made a wild child settle down and fall in love with me.

I was chilled to the bone, unable to utter a single word.

Just then, Liams eyes suddenly darkened.

He grabbed my hand and slapped himself across the face.

Ah!

Before I could react, an even harder slap landed on my face.

Followed by Hannahs icy voice: Ethan, are you asking for trouble?

She didnt ask a single question, immediately siding with Liam.

Watching Liams triumphant smirk, I clutched my burning cheek, then took one last, long look at Hannah. Hannah, youre right. You truly are a jerk too.

I turned and left, packing my things as fast as I could and returning to Emerald City that very day.

Three days later, I saw a wedding invitation on social media.

It was for Hannah and Liam.

And my wedding was on the same day as hers.