Arthur picked Shawna up from the hospital when she was discharged a month later.
Ian had been the only one by my side after my death, but things were different for Shawna. Her hospital ward was crammed full of friends and family. They were all excited when Arthur arrived.
“When are you going to marry Shawna, Mr. Rothe? She must be happy to see how much you treasure her,” someone said.
Shawna lowered her head shyly and said, “Don’t say that. Art is already married, and I don’t want Leona to get the wrong idea. I don’t want to be a homewrecker, either. She’ll make things hard for me again if she hears about this.”
One of her friends mocked, “I don’t see what’s so great about her when all she does is vie for attention out of jealousy. You’re the one Arthur loves, not her. That makes her the third party in this relationship! All she’s done so far is harm you! I would’ve divorced her ages ago if the choice was up to me!”
I found those words laughable. So, it turned out I was the one interfering with Arthur and Shawna’s relationship. This was what Shawna did each time, though. She would use her words to make Arthur think I was at fault.
But what hurt me the most was Arthur’s attitude. He didn’t say anything as he packed Shawna’s things. There were so many people in the hospital ward, but none of them bothered helping—all so he could do it.
I thought about what my life had been like after I’d married Arthur. He’d claimed he would always love me, but I’d always been the one doing the housework and suffering grievances. I’d thought he would keep me safe from storms, but in hindsight, he’d been the cause of all my trouble.
“Shawna’s been single all these years because of you, Mr. Rothe. You can’t let her down.” One of Shawna’s friends kept talking, and she pushed Arthur to Shawna in an attempt to matchmake them.
I watched them bitterly. It turned out this was how they spoke of me when I wasn’t around. It seemed I was an unforgivable sinner in their eyes. Since Arthur hadn’t said anything, I assumed he agreed with them.
Arthur took Shawna back to his bachelor pad. It was a place he went to be alone whenever we argued—he’d never taken me there before.
I should’ve long since known that she was the true exception in his life. He could change all his principles for her.
