All Chapters of Ten Years Too Much: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Before I could process it, Christine began undressing.My heart skipped erratically. Was she here to be a model?I glanced at Ronan and saw his eyes light up."Exquisite. Truly exquisite," he muttered. "It's been ten years. I've never seen such beauty."His hand quivered, the movement evident in his brush.It was the first time I had ever seen him so moved. He had always been indifferent with me, as though art was the only thing that mattered to him.Whenever I tried to talk to him, he would cut me off impatiently. "I'm busy. Can't you stop bothering me?""Mr. James, am I... perfect?" Christine's voice snapped me back to reality.She was blushing, biting her lips nervously.Suddenly, it hit me. The perfection Ronan sought was the body of a youthful woman."Yes. Undoubtedly," he replied with a smile.Then, he lunged forward and embraced her. "Christine, you're the woman I see in my dreams. I love you... I want to love you."He kissed her with an impatience that made my stoma

"Of course not. It's a good day today, isn't it? Why would I be mad?"I opened the box to reveal my favorite chocolate cake with the words: Happy 10th Anniversary!It looked more like an insult than a celebration."Here. My gift for the occasion," he said, presenting a box.Inside was a bracelet of simple design."They said it gives the wearer good luck," he explained.I suddenly remembered seeing this bracelet in one of the pictures Christine had posted on Instagram. It was taken after Valentine's Day, when she had shown off a gold necklace. The bracelet had been a freebie that came with it.So that was what I was to him, I guess. A freebie he didn't need."Let me put it around your wrist," he offered.In the past, I would have been beside myself over this. But now, my heart was dead.Just the thought of how his hands had touched her made his touch all the more repulsive."No, it's fine. It'll interfere with my chores," I said.Silence fell. His face darkened slightly. I

I slept in until 9:00 a.m. this morning.In the past, I would wake up at 5:00 a.m. just to prepare breakfast for him.Ronan was a picky eater. He would only accept the freshest produce, so I planted vegetables in our garden.Back then, he jabbed at me, saying, "It's not like we can't afford vegetables. Why even bother?"If it weren't for him, I never would have turned our garden into a farm, spent hours caring for it, or taken on the role of housekeeper.Now that he was no longer in my life, I felt a strange sense of relief, as though I had been freed from a burdensome job.I could sleep as much as I wanted.To my surprise, Ronan didn't go to the academy today. Instead, he had made breakfast."I made this myself," he said. "Summer break is coming up soon. Let's travel."It was all an attempt to ease his guilt.I glanced at him and noticed his shirt—its collar covered his collarbone."Let me plant a hickey there," Christine had said yesterday while panting in his arms. "Then,

"Don't show that face to her. She came all the way just to give you these," Ronan grumbled as Christine quickly buttoned up."Is something troubling you, Mrs. Frost?" she asked innocently. "You can always tell me. I'm also a woman, so I'll probably understand you much better than a man with his lack of sensibility.""I'm not troubled. I'm actually feeling quite happy," I replied with a grin. "I'm going to divorce Mr. James! This ten-year-old cage is finally going to open! You can be his wife, too!"Christine's eyes reddened. "How could you say that?"Ronan pulled her behind him protectively, his voice booming. "That's enough, Cordelia! If you think you can threaten me with a divorce, think again. I'm not afraid to make it happen!"I replied calmly, "I know you are. You're a high-class gentleman with more talent than you know what to do with."There are plenty of women vying for your attention. That's why I should divorce you. It's the only way for you to find someone younger, pre

Ronan felt a sharp stab in his heart as he watched Cordelia strut away without a single glance back. He wanted to chase after her, but Christine tugged on his hand."I'm not feeling well, Mr. James..." she murmured. "Can I take a breather here?"Hurriedly, he scooped her up and gently placed her on the couch. Concern etched on his face, he asked about her discomfort.Instead of answering, Christine pulled him close by the neck and kissed him.Ronan instinctively wanted to push her away, but a voice in the back of his mind whispered, "Don't worry... Just one won't hurt. She won't find out."He hesitated—and then drew her closer, deepening the kiss.He had forgotten that he'd thought the same thing back in the studio the last time. He failed to see that every affair began with the same delusional reassurance. It was always a slippery slope.When they finally pulled away, Christine curled up in his arms, purring softly, and snapped a picture of their interlocked fingers.Ronan, ho