Diamonds for Her, Scars for Me

On the third day after I gave birth, my husband Ryan told me he had an urgent business trip he couldn't reschedule.

Before I could beg him to stay, he gave me a perfunctory forehead kiss, grabbed his bag, and left me alone in the hospital with our newborn baby.

Three days later, as I was being discharged, his childhood friend Chloe posted an Instagram photo: a cozy shot of her and Ryan with the caption, "From our little getaway-a happy family of three."

I froze, staring at Ryan's bright smile beside Chloe.

My mind went blank, and I commented a single "?"

Ryan called me immediately, furious,"She's a single mom with no one to help her out! All I did was take a simple photo with her to make her feel less lonely. Do you have to be so petty, so jealous?"

His words stung sharply.

That evening, Chloe posted again, flaunting dazzling diamond jewelry with the caption,"After our family photo, he insisted on buying me these stunning diamonds~ Lucky me!"

I knew he'd bought them to keep her happy.

This time, I'd had enough.

The baby suddenly wailed, and it took me two hours to calm him.

Ryan didn't call or text once.

Chloe kept updating her feed, posting three more diamond close-ups.

Among the comments, I saw Ryan's reply,"Today I buy them for you, and twenty years from now I'll buy our daughter a set too."

"Best husband ever, love you~~" Chloe replied.

Their sweet exchange felt like a knife to my chest.

I looked at our six-day-old son, fast asleep, and realized Ryan had already forgotten him-just like he'd skipped my labor to celebrate Chloe's daughter's third birthday.

A few days later, the doctor said my pregnancy-induced gallstones required surgery the next day.

"Your gallstones are too large to ignore. We recommend surgery tomorrow," he told me.

I texted Ryan,"Come back tomorrow. I have an important surgery-I need you."

After a long wait, he replied annoyed,"I'm busy. Stop bothering me with every little things. Can't you handle anything on your own?"

"Keep this up and I'm filing for divorce!"

I typed back, shaking with rage.

Ryan had threatened divorce countless times since Chloe reappeared, shutting me down whenever I questioned their closeness,"All wives have to put up with something in marriage. If you can't handle it, leave."

I'd always backed down before.

Not this time.

"I need surgery-that's why I asked you to come," I replied.

"If that's how you feel, then let's get divorced. For real."

Ryan called back, suddenly softer,"Why didn't you tell me you were sick? What time's the surgery? I'll be there, I promise."

Glancing at our sleeping son, I said flatly,"2 PM."

"Okay," he said, and hung up.

The next afternoon, Ryan's phone was off.

In pain, I asked a friend to sign my surgery consent forms.

The surgery ended that evening, the doctor said I needed some good rest.

Ryan never called.

Chloe kept flaunting online,"I twisted my ankle slightly, and he totally panicked-rushed me to the ER like a madman. Ugh, he canceled his flight back for me. OMG! He carries me everywhere!"

I thought of when I was four months pregnant, I accidentally fell on the floor and hurt my leg after a checkup.

I'd begged Ryan to pick me up, but he'd snapped:

"I'm busy. My time is for work, not for your little aches and pains! Being pregnant doesn't mean you get to be helpless. If you can't walk, figure it out yourself-take a taxi or something."

He'd hung up, leaving me to cry as I hobbled home.

I texted him firmly,"I only want two things-full custody of our son, and a fair settlement. That's it."

He replied dismissively,"I have got something important today. Stop being dramatic. I'll come tomorrow to talk."

Three days later, I was discharged-Ryan still hadn't shown.

As I rode home, memories flooded back.

We'd met in college, married after graduation.

When his first startup failed, I worked three jobs to pay his debts.

When his second venture succeeded, I thought we'd made it-until he cheated with Chloe a year ago.

I stayed for our unborn baby.

When I got home, Ryan finally appeared.

Seeing my surgery papers, he shook me awake, annoyed,"You went through with the surgery? Why couldn't you wait for me? I told you I'd come!"

Exhausted from lack of sleep and recovery, I could barely speak.

"Ryan, are you seriously saying I should've waited three days-fresh off a C-section-for you to show up?"

I asked, trembling with rage.

He softened slightly,"Fine, whatever. U Never Listen To My Words! Now go iron my suit-I have to go out now. It's important."

I realized he'd only come back for his suit, not for me.

My phone buzzed-it was time to feed the baby.

I dragged myself out of bed to make a bottle.

Ryan kicked a chair, yelling,"Goddamn it, I never should've married you! I regret it every single day! You're nothing but a burden!"

He slammed the door and left.

I soothed the crying baby for an hour, then texted my cousin, a lawyer.

"Can you refer me to a good divorce lawyer? I need someone who fights hard for custody. No more waiting."

Her reply came quickly,"Are you serious? It's your birthday-why are you talking about divorce today? Let me come over, we can talk."

The next morning, Ryan came home, glaring at me coldly.

"It was your birthday yesterday," he said sharply.

"Why didn't you remind me?"

I stayed silent.

Reminding him would've made no difference.

"Here, I got you something," he said, handing me a thin gold necklace-nothing compared to Chloe's diamonds.

"Put it on," he demanded.

"I'll cook later-we'll celebrate."

"No thanks," I said flatly, setting it down.

Ryan scowled,"I'm trying here! What else do you want from me? Why are you always making things so difficult?"

"I want a divorce," I said calmly.

He threw the necklace on the floor and stomped it,"I know what this is about-it was just one photo! Her daughter's school asked for a family picture! That's the only reason I did it! You're overreacting, just like you always do!"

He sighed,"Besides, you upset her! Wasn't it right that I got her a gift to apologize? I haven't even asked you to say sorry!"

Too tired to argue, I said quietly,"You're right."

Later on,

My resignation was approved, I booked a flight for five days later and texted my lawyer,"Full custody, no compromise."

I turned to get some good rest.

Ryan yelled after me,"I'm still talking to you! Where are you going?"

"To lie down," I said, not looking back.

I heard him throwing things in the living room, but I ignored it.

Three days later, as I packed, Ryan called, urgent:

"North Beach outdoor bar. It's urgent. Get here now. Don't make me come get you."

The wind was harsh, but he kept calling.

I left the baby with a neighbor and took a taxi.

When I arrived, shivering, I saw Ryan and Chloe sitting close.

One of his friends sneered,"She wasn't kidding-Ryan's wife is kinda... frumpy. No wonder he's with Chloe."

Chloe sipped her wine, smirking,"Sorry, I lost a truth or dare game. Choices: kiss the band's lead singer... or call out the lady Ryan's been seeing."

"Ryan didn't want me kissing anyone, so he said to bring you here. You can go now."

Ryan avoided my eyes.

To them, I was the other woman.

I almost laughed.

Chloe showed off a gold necklace,"Pretty, isn't it? Ryan picked it out just for me."

I snapped, walked over, and snatched the necklace off her neck.

"You frumpy bitch! What are you doing?"

Chloe shrieked.

I dropped it in my bag,"This was bought with marital assets. I'm taking back what's mine."

Chloe fumed,"Stealing my property in public? I'll call the police!"

"Go ahead," I shot back.

"Let's tell them this 'gift' was bought with my surgery money and my son's formula funds."

Ryan snatched my phone, panicked,"Stop causing a scene. Just go home. We'll talk later."

His friends whispered, questioning who the real other woman was.

Chloe teared up, begging Ryan,"You said the one who isn't loved, is the other woman. Tell them Emily is the side chick! Tell them you love me!"

Ryan wiped her tears, then glared at me,"Enough! Every time you show up, you ruin everything! Leave us alone!"

He raised his voice,"Everyone, this is Chloe-my wife. The woman I love."

The crowd cheered,"Kiss her, Ryan!"

He kissed her deeply.

Chloe smirked at me when they pulled away.

"See? That marriage certificate means nothing. I'll take everything from you," she said.

I slapped her hard across the face.

The bar went silent.

Chloe cried to Ryan,"Honey, she hit me! She actually hit me!"

Ryan flew into a rage and kicked me hard in the stomach-right where my C-section wound was.

The wound tore open, blood soaked my clothes.

I collapsed, gasping.

He knelt, gripping my chin,"Apologize to her. Now. Or I'll make you regret it."

"Never," I whispered, glaring at him.

He kicked me in my belly again,"You just don't learn, do you? I'll teach you a lesson!"

He beat me repeatedly.

I refused to cry, even as blood covered me.

Curled on the ground, I used my last strength to say,"Ryan... I want a divorce."

Surprise crossed his face.

His lips moved, but I didn't hear him.

Darkness closed in.

I never saw the terror shattering Ryan's rage.

His voice broke, begging my name.

And in that black, I had no idea-this was only the start of a reckoning neither of us would survive.