Silent spring snow

Chapter 1Every anniversary, Gary would bring a woman home, claiming it was for my "training."This tenth anniversary, he brought a girl from a karaoke bar, dressed in a bunny costume.“She doesn’t have a gown, so give her your wedding dress. And that jewelry I gave you, too. As for shoes, yours will do just fine.”“She’s young, she doesn’t know much. Teach her a few things, especially the bedroom stuff.”Everyone was waiting to see me fail, and I didn't disappoint. I said I wanted a divorce.Gary chuckled, a sneer on his face.“Sarah, when haven't you said that? I'm so tired of hearing it, even more than your moans in bed!”“If you really want a divorce, I’ll give you a hundred million dollars!”The room erupted in laughter. They all thought I was playing games, being dramatic.But they didn't know this was the hundredth time I’d said it, and the only time I truly meant it.All eyes were on me, even the karaoke girl, who giggled and covered her mouth.“Alright, let’s place our bets! I bet she’ll regret walking out that door.”“I’ll bet a million she won’t leave!”“I’ll match that with thirty thousand!”The bets on whether I’d leave had become an annual tradition.Many people hated me for costing them money; those who won didn’t exactly like me either.I chuckled, silently cursing my own weakness. Ten years, and only now did I find the courage to leave.“I bet she leaves.”A low voice cut through the room. Others tried to dissuade him, but I couldn’t see who it was.“Gary, I’ll send the divorce papers to your office. Sign them when you get them.”I’d said “divorce” hundreds of times, but this was the first time I mentioned actual papers.Gary stiffened, his cigarette shaking, dropping ashes on the floor.I ignored it, knelt down, and took off my heels, placing them beside the girl.Her name was Lily, barely twenty, beautiful.“These shoes are a bit tight, you’ll get used to them.”“Gary said something about a dress and jewelry, I’ll have the housekeeper get them for you.”“He’s brought home nine other girls before you, ask them if you have any questions. They’re on the third floor, your room’s at the end of the hall, on the right.”Ten years of marriage, and Gary had enough women for a harem.Tall, short, fat, thin, innocent, sultry, cold, bubbly—he had them all.Rumors said he was trying to build a harem, like the Jade Emperor.But I wasn’t one of the lucky ones.I brushed the unseen dust off my shoes, and started to walk barefoot toward the door.But before I could reach it, a strong hand pulled me back.“Sarah, if you’re leaving, leave clean. Everything you own was bought with my money.”My bare feet felt like they were on ice, my breath hitched.“You want me to strip?”Gary raised an eyebrow, his gaze piercing.“Your family went bankrupt, your mother practically stripped you naked and put you in my bed, remember? You came to me like that, you leave like that!”“Or are you regretting it? Fine, kneel down and put her shoes on, and I’ll forgive you.”The crowd roared with laughter.Whe...