Chapter 7: The End of the Script

From then on, Zoe became even more reckless. Because of her bullying, several parents came looking for us. Jenny called me in a panic:

“Shawn, several parents are here, saying Zoe bullied their kids. Come home now—they’re about to hit me!”

I sneered. Jenny loves spoiling Zoe so much—let her deal with the consequences herself.

“I’m busy. I can’t leave.”

I sat at my desk, phone wedged between shoulder and ear, scrolling through overdue emails while her words washed over me. I’d spent my whole life cleaning up after them—let them handle the neighborhood drama for once.

“What could be more important than family? That little money you make—what good is it?”

I laughed. “If you look down on that little money, then stop giving it to your brother.”

Jenny exploded. “Shawn, what do you mean by that?”

“Exactly what it sounds like.”

Jenny must’ve really been scared by those parents, because she dropped the money argument and just kept pressing: “Are you coming back or not?”

Of course, my answer was no.

Jenny grew desperate: “Shawn, I’m giving you half an hour. If you’re not back, we’re getting a divorce!”

I smiled for the first time in weeks. My voice was calm, steady—almost relieved. “Fine. Let’s divorce.”

“Scared now? There’s no room for negotiation on this—wait, you actually want to divorce me?”

Her words hung in the air, and for once, I didn’t feel panic or guilt. Just a strange, clean emptiness—a window cracked open on a stifling summer night, letting in a breath of fresh air. For the first time, I wondered what life might look like on the other side.