All Chapters of A Decade of Nothing: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Dad nearly died from anger on my wedding day. Because of that, I didn't hesitate to agree with him and Mom when they asked me to consider marrying a new man I had never met.My soon-to-be husband added my contact information. After making self-introductions, we decided on the wedding date right away.My parents were relieved at that point. Mom even cried as she held my hand and said, "You've been dating that Jon Zeller guy for almost ten years."Yet, he had the nerve to be so cruel on your wedding day! That proves he was never serious about you. Your dad and I didn't want to pressure you before, but now—""I understand, Mom.""Good. Let's hurry up and get through with the wedding, lest Jon return and start trouble."Just like that, my marriage partner and I agreed to hold our wedding that Sunday, and we would get our official marriage certified after the wedding.My parents had me sort through my belongings and Jon's in four days. I then moved out of my old place right away.…

I planned on preparing for the wedding after that day. Much to my surprise, my soon-to-be husband had already settled everything alone.Our parents officially met the day before our wedding. Because Dad wasn't feeling well, I went with Mom instead.A man in a long trench coat smiled warmly and strolled toward me inside the massive restaurant lobby. "Hi, I'm Eugene Joubert.""I'm Emily Claremond," I answered.The man led us to a private room. Once the doors opened, I froze on the spot. I knew my future husband was my parents' longtime business partner, who owned a chain of biological research companies. However, I never thought I'd see my graduate tutor, Professor Yara Lowthe, and her husband, Ian Joubert, sitting before me.I became good friends with Professor Lowthe when I was a graduate student. Despite being several decades apart in age, we could talk about many things. I once met Eugene when I delivered his lunchbox on Professor Lowthe's behalf. At the time, Eugene wore a

"How could you hit me?" Jon muttered."Why? Am I not allowed to hit you?" I snapped.Jon's eyes widened with disbelief. There was a shattered look on his face while tears welled in his eyes. He grabbed my hand and said, "You can talk things through with me if you're upset. Don't you know that you'll make me sad by doing this?"Sad? Over our long dating life, he and Julie behaved out of bounds and wounded me many times. Why didn't he think about talking things out with me back then? I only stopped being the third person, awkwardly wedged between their unusually close friendship. Yet, he felt aggrieved just because of that. I couldn't understand his sense of logic at all.As for Julie, she acted like I had done something gravely wrong. She tugged at Jon's arm and said, "Jon changed his flights several times to make it back earlier! He stayed up late to think of gifts to get you!"While he was pouring all his effort into you, you were busy organizing a wedding here with someone els

Eugene brought a plate of sliced apples he had prepared earlier when he realized I was getting emotional. Not only that, but he also came over with a slice of my favorite strawberry cake. "Don't be upset. Here. Have something to eat."I was about to exit the surveillance footage player when I saw Julie picking up the laptop in my old home. I found it odd because she stared at my laptop for a long time. Almost half an hour passed when Julie put it down. She then took many photos of it before leaving with a satisfied look."I've always trusted Jon. I thought he wouldn't harm my cat even if he isn't fond of cats. Who'd have known—" Just then, my phone wouldn't stop chiming. Strange. Who would text me at this time?I switched on my phone and realized my social media had blown up. Although I sometimes posted videos, they never gained this much traction. With curiosity brimming in me, I opened the app.Various insulting comments popped up. Some of the users also posted my personal info

"It's all in the past. My main reason for doing it was because your marriage emotionally rattled me. After all, I never thought my wife would marry someone else after I returned from a trip," Jon emphasized.Julie added, "He even bought you so many things. Yet, all he got in return was you marrying another man. How could he not be triggered?"I slapped Julie just then.It immediately angered everyone around us, and they questioned what right I had to slap her. They claimed Jon would've died long ago if Julie hadn't kept him company. That meant I would've been responsible for Jon's death.I faced the person who spoke the loudest in the bunch head-on. "I naturally have my reasons for slapping her. You don't need to be so anxious about it."Julie glowered at me with rage."I'm giving you one last chance, Jon. If you apologize to me now and post a public apology online, I can spare you the humiliation. However, if you refuse, don't blame me for taking drastic measures."Jon remained