Chapter 2 Until Death Do Us Part

• Joanne knew that her face must’ve looked hideous. She had lost partial control over her facial muscles and she could feel her left cheek jerking involuntarily and saliva dripping down her chin.
• She would rather die than let Martin see this revolting face!
• Hopelessness fueled her. She summoned superhuman strength to break free from Martin and pushed him off. The man was on the verge of climaxing, his nose fuming and he instinctively growled in frustration.
• Joanne dived to the side, grabbed her dress and bolted.
• Her shaky fingers searched anxiously in the dress’s pocket and took out a black pill. She didn’t mind the pungent vinegary smell and hastily swallowed it.
• She ran uncoordinatedly and grabbed her face tightly with both palms, as if she wanted to tear it off.
• Behind her, Martin’s plodding footsteps were already approaching.
• Joanne searched around and hurried to a safety staircase. She saw a fire hydrant box and she tried to yank it open. Luckily it wasn’t locked and she squeezed herself into the tight space. The sharp metal was pricking on her side but she could hardly feel it. Her whole body was convulsing, pain shot up her limbs like fire and exploded in her head with a piercing migraine. It made her tear. It made her salivate. The pain from those cursed side effects was like needles jamming in her bones.
• It hurts…
• It hurt so much that Joanne wished to split her head open with the fireman axe.
• She bit on her lips and swallowed her cries. Liquid formed by tears, sweat and saliva hit the floor rhythmically, like the fading footsteps of Martin.
• Joanne felt her head ringing and her vision blurred, life is slowly exiting her…
• Before the world turned pitch black, Joanne saw a train of memories…
• It was a sunlit day. A cheery boy was shielding her with his frail body, behind him all messed up from dirt and blood.
• “Don’t be afraid, I’m here, nobody can harm you!”
• His smile was warmer than the sun, and Joanne’s heart throbbed fiercely, sending warmth to her body.
• “Martin, I am not afraid. This time, it’s my turn to protect you…”
• When Joanne opened her eyes again, the sky was dimly lit.
• She grappled with the floor and pushed herself up, then limped step by step outside the building.
• It was a cold, drizzling morning.
• Martin must’ve forgotten the significance of this special day.
• 27th January. Three years ago, they vowed for eternal love, and it was drizzling too.
• Till death do us part…
• His gentle and loving smile, overshadowing build that cuddled her in the drizzle…
• This same fateful day three years later had turned out to be their divorce, an eternal separation.
• How she wished to spend her last night with him, but the goddess of fate wouldn’t allow that.
• Joanne doubled over in pain and weakly gasped for air. With trembling fingers, she slowly tapped in Martin’s number.
• “Hello! Are you up?”
• Her tone was indifferent.
• “Let’s get breakfast together and then you can bring me to Civil Affairs!”
• Martin’s office was hazy with trapped smoke. His bloodshot eyes were simmering in anger.
• That wretched woman, how dare she excite a fire and leave halfway through!
• He spent hours searching for her last night. Worried sick. And now she dared call in such uncaring manner!
• He would never tell this sickening woman that his heart was attracted to her. Despite knowing her wickedness, he was hooked to everything she said, everything she did…
• However, Shirley Zheng’s self-sacrificing grace was like a chain binding on him. He had to put up a cold and iron front to supress this fiery feeling for Joanne.
• Three years! For three wretched years he endured endless pressure from the Zheng family. Despite the misery, he never uttered a word about divorce –
• SO HOW DARE SHE?!
• “Now that you are stuck with me, you better be prepared for a lifetime’s worth of anguish! I will make sure you suffer every bit and pieces of life. You and I will be tangled forever, until death do us part!”
• And he slammed his phone on the floor.
• Few seconds after the call ended, Joanne wailed.
• “It’s bad luck to be widowed, I just hope your life is all smooth sailing…”
• She cried as if her heart was ripped open.
• Martin, since you are not willing to see me for the last time, then I guess this is how we part.
• Farewell…actually isn’t half bad.
• Soon I wouldn’t be able to feel a thing.
• Thinking back, although she had a short-lived life, it was made worthwhile with the hearty promises he gave. She had known love.
• The sky was still dimmed, and it seemed to get even colder now.
• Joanne walked lifelessly on the road. All of a sudden, there was a revving sound of engine from behind and it was approaching in fierce speed!
• As Joanne turned back in fright, she saw a four-wheeled beast charging right at her!