The Simp's Redemption

On our tenth anniversary, my wife Jessica had her arms wrapped around her best friend Chad's neck, refusing to get out of his lap.

Go run us a bubble bath! she ordered me. We need to relax together!

I finally snapped. I slammed the divorce papers down on the table, hoping it would shock her back to reality.

Poor Jessica didn't care one bit. She even planted a kiss on Chad's cheek. "You wouldn't dare divorce me! Look at you! Who else would you ever find? You should be on your knees thanking me I haven't really cheated on you yet!"

Chad hoisted Jessica up, his hands under her backside. "Give it a rest, Austin. Stop making a scene. If you piss Jessica off, you'll just be begging for her forgiveness later. Why don't you go wait outside? We like our privacy."

But this time, I picked up the signed divorce papers and walked out.

Later, Jessica showed up at the wedding of an A-list actress.

Her eyes were bloodshot. "I regret it! Don't marry her!"

"Your husband still doesn't know we used to date?"

"He must be a total idiot! The wife he worships? I kissed her, hugged her, touched her long before he ever did. If he knew, he'd lose his damn mind!"

I was washing my hands in the bathroom when I overheard Jessica talking to her "best friend."

Jessica's dismissive voice floated over. "What's he gonna do? Get mad? Please. If I'd stayed with you, he never would've had a chance. Besides, he's a total simp. He'd never dare cross me."

I listened quietly. Finished washing my hands. Walked straight out the door, feeling hollow.

Same as always. She didn't care about me. Just wrapped up in her cozy little flirtation with Chad.

After every fight, Iwas the one who crawled back first, apologizing.

But not this time.

I was done wearing the "best friend" shaped cuckold hat.

I hadn't even made it out the front door when I heard Chad's voice again:

"Your husband really is clueless. Still hasn't figured out we were each other's first."

"Getting cozy right under his nose? Now that's a thrill."

Jessica's delighted laughter followed.

"Happy fifteenth anniversary of us! Look what I got you."

Her girlfriends all chimed in with happy cheers.

"Jessica and Chad are meant to be."

"Totally! Chad was Jessica's first love. Her husband Austin? He's just the live-in maid who pays the bills. A total joke."

Hearing that, my steps felt heavier than lead.

The "best friend" was just a cover Jessica used on me all along.

Today was our tenth wedding anniversary. I'd prepared everything, thinking she'd just forgotten my gift.

Turns out, I never mattered to her at all.

The one she carried in her heart wasn't her legal husband. It was Chad, her tangled-up "best friend" and ex.

She used to talk about her first love all the time, how wonderful he was, how deep their connection ran.

I used to comfort myself, thinking everyone holds a special place for their first love. It was ancient history. They weren't in touch.

I thought if I loved her enough, the first love would just be a faded memory.

But ten years of marriage. Ten years of pouring love into her. My money spent on her. Taking care of her every need, day in, day out. Even if she woke up starving at 2 AM craving chicken soup, I'd drive around half the night trying to find some.

What good did any of it do? In the end, it couldn't compete with her messy, unresolved thing with Chad.

This time, I wouldn't be the idiot crawling back to apologize for something that wasn't my fault.

Our marriage? It ends here.

After leaving the hotel suite, I went back to our empty house.

Looking at the place I'd decorated myself for our tenth anniversary, it felt like a sick joke.

What kind of wife spends her tenth wedding anniversary with her ex-boyfriend?

Probably only a pathetic fool like me.

I went inside and started packing my clothes and belongings.

IMidway through, I heard a key turn in the front door.

Then, Jessica and Chad stumbled in, drunk and leaning on each other for support.

I thought they'd crash in the suite I booked.

I never imagined Jessica would be so brazen about her ex, bringing him right into our home to sleep.

She was slurring something about,

"My husband booked the suite... let my girlfriends party there... we're crashing here... I'm wiped..."

Just then, I walked out of the bedroom and locked eyes with Chad.

Chad glanced at Jessica, then turned to me with a sneer.

"Jessica's hammered. I'm just bringing her home to clean up. The suite was too crowded for us."

Before I could say anything, drunk Jessica pointed at me and yelled,

"What are you staring at? We're home! Make yourself useful! Go get the bedding. You're on coach tonight! Chad and I are taking the bedroom."

"And don't get any ideas. Chad and I have slept in the same bed since we were teens. He's seen me naked a thousand times. Nothing's gonna happen."

I answered Jessica flatly,

"I'll sleep in the study tonight. Do whatever you want. I don't care."

Jessica didn't like that. She snapped, "What's that supposed to mean? Who are you giving the cold shoulder to?"

"If you're so unhappy, sign the damn divorce papers I gave you! Get divorced! What are you still doing here?"

"Too spineless for that? Then go make Chad and me some foot soak water! Standing there gawking is pathetic!"

As she spoke, she linked arms with Chad and walked into our bedroom.

"Come on, Chad, let's get some rest. This spineless coward wouldn't dare say 'no' even if I cheated on him a hundred times! Besides, what's between us is none of his damn business!"

In that moment, it felt like I was the intruder. Like Chad was the man of the house.

Good thing I'd already decided to end this toxic marriage with Jessica.

No point dragging things out with a woman like Jessica. Confronting her and Chad was just asking for more misery.

I quietly went to the study.

Soon after, I heard the sounds of Jessica and Chad laughing and splashing in the bathroom next door.

But I didn't care anymore.

The very thought of being near a woman like Jessica now made my skin crawl..

Buzz

My phone vibrated.

I opened it. It was a notification from Jessica's social media feed. I clicked and saw a video of her and Chad being all lovey-dovey in my bathroom.

They were laughing together in the video, saying, "Happy Anniversary to Us! Fifteen years!"

Jessica: "I wish you could be by my side every single day."

Chad: "I wish you could be by my side... officially."

Seeing that, even though I was completely over Jessica

We'd still spent ten years together. I'd poured so much into her.

Seeing that effort blossom for someone else, showing a side I'd never seen it stabbed my heart. My hands trembled slightly.

At our wedding, hadn't she declared to everyone, "I wish Austin could be by my side every single day"?

The words were the same. But the person she was saying them to? That had changed.

That night, I slept more soundly than I had in years.

It was like without Jessica beside me, things were better.

No more stressing over the endless list of chores she demanded to run her life.

Once Jessica signed the divorce papers, I'd be free.

In the morning, Chad walked out of the bedroom, a smirk on his face.

"Jessica says make extra breakfast. Include mine."

I finished washing up and answered him coldly. "Sure."

But I only made breakfast for myself.

Chad came over to me again, that infuriating smirk still there. "Don't sulk. I know you can't live without Jessica. We talked."

"She asked me to tell you she was wasted last night. Forget what she said."

"From now on, the three of us live together. As long as you keep taking care of things like before, she won't divorce you.Doesn't it sound particularly good for you?"

What man could accept that arrangement?

I sure as hell couldn't.

But what shocked me was Jessica's sheer audacity.

She wanted two men? One for fun, and one for chores? That bitch!

Did she really think I loved her so desperately I'd put up with anything?

How pathetic.

She didn't need to make that choice. I was ending this disgusting relationship myself!

I answered Chad flatly,

"No need. If she wants the divorce, tell her to sign the papers fast. I'll clear out. You two can do whatever you want."

I grabbed a copy of the divorce papers I'd prepared earlier, and handed them to Chad.

"I won't disturb you two anymore. She's always threatening divorce to scare me? This time, she gets her wish. You get yours."

Then, I went into the master bedroom to find Jessica.

She was lying naked on the bed.

She glanced at me as I entered. "What? Haven't you seen it before? Chad certainly has. Don't start with your paranoid nonsense, psycho."

I didn't get angry. Calmly, I handed her the divorce papers again.

She looked suspicious but took them. Signed her name without hesitation. "Happy now?"

I took the signed papers and walked out without looking back.

My heart felt like it was being shredded and yet, a huge weight lifted.

The pain was for my wasted ten years, but at least I would never be emotionally entangled with this woman again.

This house wasn't mine anymore.

As for the property, we'd split it or sell it as per the divorce. I had no desire to ever set foot in this place again.

Jessica was the same as always. Me leaving with the divorce papers didn't even cause a ripple.

Just before I walked out the door, she said,

"Remember to come back early. Make dinner for Chad and me."

Hearing that, I let out a bitter laugh.

This time, I wouldn't be crawling back to apologize, no matter whose fault it was.

I was leaving her forever.

After leaving home, I went to the studio apartment provided by the film crew I worked with.

I work as a screenwriter. Whenever Jessica and I fought before, this is where I'd go.

I figured Jessica wouldn't contact me.

But surprisingly, my phone rang the very next afternoon. It was Jessica.

I answered. Her shrill voice blasted through,

"Austin! Where the hell are you? I'm starving! Get your ass back here and make me food!"

"If you're not back, don't ever come back! I want you here in thirty minutes!"

"Chad's still here! As the man of the house, can't you even grasp basic hospitality?!"

Before I could respond, I heard Chad's voice beside her on the phone.

Like he was deliberately trying to provoke me.

Chad said, "Jess, honey, I can handle it. If Austin doesn't want to, don't bother him. Me staying here is already imposing."

"Wouldn't want people saying I'm the homewrecker who pushed Austin out."

"Maybe I can hire a housekeeper?"

His words made me nauseous. "Honey"? That's what her father called her.

So she'd already accepted Chad as her closest person.

Jessica's voice came back on the line,

"Why waste money on a housekeeper? Austin is the free live-in help! He's done everything for ten years. Now he's got an attitude..."

What did she take me for?

Were my more than ten years of devotion worth nothing more than being an unpaid servant?

Thinking that, I said coldly, "Your free help? He divorced you."

I hung up. Blocked Jessica's number immediately.

Finally, I took a deep, relieved breath.

No more suffocating words from her.

Blocking Jessica brought me two weeks of blessed peace and quiet.

No more rushing home after work to cater to her endless demands.

Every day felt easy.

But the quiet ended when someone started pounding on my film set apartment door.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

The door shook under the force. Jessica's furious voice followed,

"Austin Murphy! Get your ass back home!"

Wasn't I just the dust bunny she ignored in the corner?

We signed divorce papers. Why was she coming after me now?

Only because we were on set and I didn't want her disturbing others did I get up to open the door.

The second I opened it, Jessica lunged forward, trying to slap me.

I caught her wrist mid-air. She yanked it back.

I didn't want a scene. My voice was icy.

"Trespassing is illegal. Try that again, I'm calling the cops."

"We're divorced, Ms. Hayes. Have some self-respect."

My words stopped her cold. Then, rage flooded back.

"Divorced? Austin, you ungrateful bastard! You want to divorce me just because I brought my friend home?"

"Friend? You know damn well what's between you two. Me leaving clears the deck for you, doesn't it?" I shot back.

My words made her flush crimson. She shoved past me.

"Bullshit! I hung out with Chad all the time before! Why divorce now?"

"And now you've been gone for weeks! I bet you've found some slut here at the studio!"

"I'm going to see which little set skank you've hooked up with."

It was a shared apartment with two other guys. I didn't want Jessica bothering them. I grabbed her arm and pulled her outside.

I choked down my rising anger. My voice was flat.

"Get. Out."

"You disgust me."

Jessica looked stunned. Probably the first time I'd ever spoken to her like that.

Her eyes widened in disbelief.

"So you do have a woman out here! That's why you want the divorce!"

Before she could finish, my two male roommates walked out of the apartment and hurried away.

Jessica changed tack instantly. "Austin, if you're clean, why push for the divorce?"

"You promised you'd take care of me forever! That you'd never leave! That you'd melt my cold heart!"

"Did you forget all that?"

I stayed silent.

She kept ranting, accusing me. "Chad was right! An orphan like you, no mom, no dad you don't know how to love anyone! Can't keep a promise!"

"Stop." I gritted my teeth.

"Do whatever you want from now on. You and I are done. Ex-wife Ms. Hayes."

Fury twisted Jessica's face. She screamed, "Fine! Divorce it is!"

"See if I care if you die alone! What woman would want a useless loser like you?"

"I'll be waiting at home for the day you crawl back on your knees begging! Don't expect forgiveness when you regret it!"

She turned and stormed off.

Just then, my phone buzzed.

I pulled it out.

It was Scarlett Rosewood, the A-list actress our crew was working for.

"Austin, can I ask you something?"

I scrolled down, puzzled.

"Would you consider marrying me?"