You Keep Him, I Keep Her

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Austin brought her childhood friend, Glenn, home to care for him after he was paralyzed, always prioritizing him above everything else.

She completely ignored my feelings, even forcing me to help him bathe.

Six months later, I took in a homeless, disabled girl.

She has mental issues and no one to rely on. She'll be bullied out there, so I couldn't bear to leave her.

Austin, who always demanded I be generous, flew into a rage.

"Jackson! Are you out of your mind?! You brought another woman home? And a mental patient? Are you that desperate?!"

I frowned, facing Austin's gaze, which felt like she was interrogating a criminal.

"Can you please get rid of your filthy thoughts? Can you show some compassion? Are you just going to stand by and watch a vibrant life die?"

Six months ago, Austin's childhood friend, Glenn, got into a car accident. Austin not only stayed with him at the hospital for a month but insisted on bringing him home.

I objected.

Austin shot back, "Glenn has no one here. I can't just abandon him."

"Can't you be a little more understanding? A little more empathetic? Stop making such a big deal out of everything!"

Now, I was just doing the same thing.

"How is that the same thing?"

Austin clenched her fists. "I'm going to the hospital to pick up Glenn right now. When I get back, I don't want to see this woman here anymore."

She slammed the door shut, thinking a show of anger would make me back down.

But I turned to the girl with a smile and reassured her, "Charlotte, I'll go run a bath for you and get some clothes ready."

"Thank you."

Charlotte nodded obediently, leaning on her crutches.

She had been filthy, her face covered in grime. After her bath and fresh clothes, I finally saw her face clearly.

Delicate and pretty, she was a natural beauty.

Only her body was too thin, like a withered branch.

So, I ordered a big meal for her, to help her regain some nutrition.

Just then, Austin returned, pushing Glenn's wheelchair. Seeing Charlotte eating on the sofa, her face instantly turned cold.

"Jackson!"

"What is the meaning of this? Not only did you let her stay, but you let her wear my pajamas? How disgusting is that? How unsanitary?"

Her reaction was extreme, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.

"I'm sorry, I'll take them off right away."

Charlotte stood up nervously. "Please don't argue because of me."

"No need."

I grabbed her wrist, not looking up. "It's just a pair of pajamas, isn't it? What's the fuss? I'll return them tomorrow. I'll buy Charlotte some new ones then."

I remembered when Glenn first arrived, he took a liking to my only custom-made suit, which I only wore for important events.

Austin gave it to Glenn without even asking me. Who knew Glenn would relieve himself in it?

I was furious.

But Austin was nonchalant. "Oh, come on! Don't be so petty! It's just a suit, right? It's not like Glenn did it on purpose. You can just wash it yourself, what's the big deal?"

The next day, she even grandly bought Glenn five custom suits, which made my head spin with anger.

"Austin, don't blame Jackson. It's just that I've been staying at your place for too long, so Jackson is unhappy and deliberately found an actress to make you mad."

Glenn spoke up, looking remorseful. "I'm just a burden! I'll move out tonight. You two don't have to argue over me."

His eyes were red as he spoke, then he maneuvered his wheelchair to leave.

I glanced at Austin, curious to see her reaction.

No surprises.

Austin, just like before, anxiously hugged Glenn and comforted him softly, "Glenn, you're never a burden. You're a very important person in my life."

Then, she shot me a rather defiant look.

"You're truly despicable."

"To get rid of Glenn, you actually came up with such a vile trick."

With that, she pushed Glenn into the master bedroom.

That used to be Austin's and my room, but Glenn claimed he had "claustrophobia."

So, Austin, again without consulting me, gave up the room, and even put a small bed next to our king-sized one.

She set a rule: "Monday to Saturday, she would care for Glenn in the master bedroom, and on Sunday, she would spend time with me in the secondary bedroom."

I tried talking, I tried complaining, I even argued.

But every time, Austin would say one thing and do another.

That evening, after settling Charlotte, I went to my study. Late into the night, I heard Austin's scream.

"Jackson, you pervert! You psycho!"

Immediately after, Austin stormed into the study, furious.

She was wearing a sexy lace nightgown, black stockings, full makeup, and perfume.

It suddenly hit metoday was Sunday!

"Jackson, you actually gave our bedroom to that unknown woman."

Austin's brows were tightly furrowed.

"Charlotte is so pathetic. How could you make her sleep on the floor or in the study?"

I didn't turn my head, my eyes still fixed on the computer screen.

These were Austin's own words, once upon a time.

Austin froze for a few seconds, then sighed, rushing over to sit on my lap.

"Jackson, please stop being difficult, okay? Just send that homeless woman away. Once Glenn is a bit better, I'll send him away, alright?"

Send him away? Austin had said things like that many times.

But she'd always drop it afterward, completely a tactic to placate me.

Seeing I wasn't speaking, Austin draped her arms around my neck and whispered in my ear.

"Just say yes, okay?"

"Today's Sunday, our special day. Let's not let outsiders spoil our mood."

All this time, I had liked Austin both physically and emotionally.

So, she only needed to flirt a little, and I'd instantly be hooked.

But after over half a year of torment, now my heart didn't stir at all. Instead, I felt a sense of disgust.

Before I could refuse, Glenn's pained groans echoed.

"Austin, please help me"

The next second, Austin abruptly pushed me away, sprang up, and rushed out of the study.

"Glenn, if you need to go to the restroom, just tell me. See? You fell all by yourself."

Her voice was loud, her tone anxious and full of concern.

I remembered last month, I slipped coming out of the shower, fell, and cut my knee, bleeding profusely.

I called Austin several times, but she didn't answer.

Later, she even said sarcastically, "You're a grown man, and you trip just walking? How embarrassing is that?"

Glenn deliberately fanned the flames, saying, "Jackson, I won't steal Austin from you. We're just good friends."

"So, you don't need to intentionally hurt yourself just to compete with me."

Hearing that, Austin immediately turned and called me childish and sick.

At that moment, my heart shattered. I didn't sleep all night.

A while later, Austin texted me: "Glenn just fell. I'm worried about him, so I'll stay with him tonight."

Similar situations had occurred more than once.

Every weekend, Glenn would always feel unwell in one way or another, holding onto Austin and not letting her leave. And Austin would always agree.

The next morning, Charlotte and I were having breakfast.

As soon as Austin emerged from the bedroom, she frowned unhappily. "Why isn't there any for me and Glenn?"

"If you want some, make it yourself," I replied flatly, without looking up.

What?

Austin's temper flared again. She slammed the table. "I think you've truly fallen for her charms, completely lost your mind over this woman."

"You're ignoring me for a stranger."

Charlotte quickly stood up to apologize, "I'm sorry, Austin. Please, take my plate."

She picked up her untouched noodles and offered them.

"Get lost!" Austin snapped, knocking the bowl over.

"Ah!"

The scalding noodle soup splashed all over Charlotte, her arm skin immediately turning red.

"Austin, you're absolutely insane! Charlotte was being kind, offering you food, and you not only ungratefully attacked her, but you started a fight!"

I scolded Austin while grabbing ice to apply to Charlotte's burn.

This scene stunned Austin.

She was so furious that veins popped on her forehead. She yelled right there, "Jackson, I'm telling you."

"It's either her or me in this house. There's no in-between."

"You choose!"

I had been that hysterical once.

But Austin, presuming upon my deep love, not only reacted calmly but said, "Can't you be more mature? Do you really think I can't live without you?"

Now, I didn't react much either.

But before I could speak, Glenn came out of the room.

"Jackson, Austin, are you two arguing again because of me?"

"If I cause your divorce, I'll feel guilty for the rest of my life."

"Maybe I should just leave."

He wore a bitter expression, seemingly thinking of Austin and me, but actually just fanning the flames.

"Glenn, this has nothing to do with you. It's all Jackson's fault for being so petty."

Austin comforted Glenn, then looked at me coldly.

"Glenn just reminded me. If you insist on going against me, then let's get a divorce."

"I'll find someone to draft the divorce papers today."

With that, she pushed Glenn out the door, proudly saying, "Come on, let's go out for a fancy meal."

"Austin, please don't misunderstand. Jackson and I really have nothing going on."

Charlotte cried out, but Austin ignored her. Charlotte then turned to me, sobbing, "I'm so sorry, Jackson. I caused you trouble. It's all my fault."

"Maybe you should just send me to a mental hospital."

Austin paused, grinding her teeth as she muttered to herself, "Bitch!"

"You just escaped. How can you go back? Just stay here and feel safe."

I comforted Charlotte. "With me here, you won't suffer."

As my words fell, I heard Austin scoff, walking away without looking back.

I didn't mind her. After finishing our meal, I took Charlotte shopping at the mall.

Unexpectedly, I caught a glimpse of Austin and Glenn at a watch store.

Austin picked up a watch and put it on Glenn's wrist.

Their eyes met, full of deep affection, almost radiating sparks.

I recognized that watch. It cost about fifteen thousand dollars, a style I had coveted for a long time.

But Austin always said, "A watch is just for telling time, isn't it? Why waste money on that? Better save up for our future children."

Yet now, Austin bought it for Glenn.

And all of Glenn's medical expenses for the past six months had also been paid by Austin.

"Should we go say hello?" Charlotte whispered.

"No need."

I waved my hand, pulling Charlotte into the clothing store across the way.

Charlotte had just picked out a dress and was trying it on when Austin burst in.

"Jackson, what do you mean by this? You dare to spend money on her?"

I just turned my head when Charlotte quickly said, "Austin, please don't be angry. I'm keeping track of every expense, and I'll pay Jackson back when I get a job later."

"You btch, shut up!"

Austin's eyes widened, and she raised her hand to slap Charlotte.

But I reacted quickly, grabbing her wrist in time.

"You... you're siding with an outsider?" She grew even angrier.

"Aren't you siding with Glenn?" I calmly retorted.

"This... this is different!"

Austin gritted her teeth, arguing, "Our friendship is pure. You two have something shady going on."

Glenn echoed, "Jackson, what you're doing is really going too far."

Too far?

I couldn't help but let out a cold laugh, saying sarcastically, "You're someone living in my house, eating my food and drinking my drinks for free. What right do you have to point fingers?"

Hearing me say that, Glenn's eyes instantly turned red, tears streaming down his face like a wronged child.

Smack! Austin immediately slapped me.

"All you ever do is bully Glenn. What kind of man are you?"

"Divorce!" She said, then turned and walked away.

Beside her, Glenn's mouth curled into a defiant smirk, clearly declaring victory.

I raised my hand to touch my stinging face, muttering to myself.

"Austin, that slap just severed the last thread of affection between us."

That evening, Charlotte and I returned home to find no one there.

On the coffee table was a document bag. I opened it to find a divorce agreement, signed by Austin.

Buzz buzz! Almost simultaneously, Austin called.

"Glenn wants to travel to clear his head, so I'm taking him out for three days."

"Did you see the divorce agreement on the table? In three days, either kick that btch out, or we're officially over."

Her tone was full of arrogance.

"Are you sure?" I asked calmly.

"Of course."

Austin laughed. "If you're scared, just do what I say, and think about how you'll compensate me."

I lowered my head in silence.

Then Glenn's voice came through the phone, "Austin, my back is so itchy. Can you scrub it for me?"

The next second, the call ended.

I shook my head and picked up a pen nearby.

"Jackson."

"Are you really getting a divorce? This is not something to joke about! You need to calm down."

Charlotte quickly tried to stop me.

"Actually, I've been calm for a long time."

I smiled, moved Charlotte's hand, and signed the divorce agreement.

Before, I was indeed afraid of losing Austin.

But a person's patience and love always run out eventually.

After signing my name, I hired a lawyer to handle the subsequent property division. Finally, I packed my bags and took Charlotte on a trip as well.

That same evening, Austin had just finished showering when she received a call.

"Hello, Ms. Austin? I'm Mr. Jackson's lawyer. When would be a good time for you to discuss property division after the divorce?"