Revised Edition 13 ☑
◇ I Switch My Feelings and Move Forward
Bookmark 13
“I’ll forget the past and make a fresh start.
I switch my feelings and move forward.”
It had been two months since I started visiting Ren’s temple.
That day, too, I had gone to the temple, and my heart felt calm as the sea. My feelings were beginning to head in a better direction.
When I came home, my husband had prepared hashed beef and a salad for me.
The table was properly set with placemats.
On my plate, there was my favorite potato salad, cherry tomatoes, and a generous helping of shredded vegetables.
That placemat held a special meaning for me. It was a handmade decoupage placemat, designed just for me.
The design featured flowers and my beloved Alice in Wonderland motif.
My husband’s placemat had the same flower pattern, but with a cat design.
Back when I made those placemats, I never could have imagined a day like this would come… and yet, here we were.
“Thank you for the meal. Lately, since I’ve been going out more often, you’ve taken the trouble to cook on weekends like this, and I’m truly grateful. Really, I appreciate it.”
“Whoa, wait—what’s this about? Is something going on?”
“Yeah…”
“What? Seriously? There is?”
“Yes, there is… actually. Listen, I want a divorce. As soon as possible, if you don’t mind.”
“Wait a second, I don’t get this. Didn’t you just say you’re grateful to me? How can you turn around and ask for a divorce from the person you’re thanking? I don’t get it at all.”
“Bad timing on my part, I suppose. My thanks weren’t for everything about you—it was just for the meal you made. That’s what I meant.”
“…So what, you mean aside from my cooking, you’ve got complaints about me?”
I elegantly ignored his words.
“I’ve fallen in love with another man. That’s why I want you to let me go.”
My husband simply couldn’t process what I was saying.
“No way. That can’t be true… it just can’t. No way. Impossible. I can’t agree to that. Divorce isn’t in my dictionary.”
“Well, please add it to your dictionary starting now.”
“Who is it? Who’s this man you claim to love?”
“I can’t tell you right now. But… you don’t really love me, do you?”
“Huh? I’m saying I do love you—that’s why I don’t want a divorce!”
“If you truly loved me, you’d want my happiness. And you’d grant me freedom by divorcing me.”
