Chapter 174
Agnes didn’t have a lot of classes this semester. After grabbing some textbooks for her major, she planned to head back home as classes hadn’t started
yet.
At the school gate, she ran into Kerri. After catching up, they decided to grab some grilled fish together.
At the restaurant, Agnes confessed, “Kerri, there’s a reason I didn’t tell you about my marriage.”
Kerri was Agnes‘ college roomie and her best friend besides Jenny. Agnes felt she owed her an explanation. But Kerri said, “I get it. Stuff like this can be hard to share”
Agnes let out a relieved sigh, I thought you’d be mad that I kept such a big thing from you
Kerri hesitated, “Actually, there’s something I haven’t told you either.”
Agnes asked in surprise, “What’s up?”
Kerri nervously confessed, ‘Agnes, I’m married too, but I haven’t told anyone.
Agnes was stunned.
Kerri, with her gentle demeanor, kind nature, and outstanding academic performance, was a medical student at the renowned neurology department of Lakeside College, the same major as Ryder.
She was always the model student, spending all her time studying, doing lab work, writing papers, or doing clinical rotations with professors. She rarely mingled with boys outside her major.
How on earth did she end up married?
Agnes asked, “When did this happen?”
Kerri confessed, “Two years ago. I got married in Vegas when I was 18”
The more Agnes thought about it, the more complex it seemed. There must be a story there.
Before Agnes could ask, Kerri explained, “You must think it’s unbelievable, like something out of a TV drama. But my life is just like that. I was an orphan, lived in an orphanage for 12 years, then got adopted by a family. They paid for my education and planned out my life to a tee. From the moment they adopted me, I knew I had no freedom. They’ve done so much for me. So no matter what they arranged, I had to accept.”
Agnes could see the helplessness on Kerri’s face. For a moment, Agnes felt she couldn’t keep prying. She could tell, Kerri wasn’t happy in her marriage.
How could a girl who was forced to marry at 18 possibly have any love in her life?
Agnes had heard about some wealthy families adopting helpless girls to groom them into suitable brides for their disabled sons when they couldn’t find a suitable match from a good background. Then, these girls would be bound by their gratitude for the rest of their lives, unable to make their own
decisions.
Agnes never thought this would happen to Kerri.
Seeing Agnes‘ worried look, Kerri said, “Don’t worry about me. Luckily, he’s not into ‘me and has been thinking about divorce. I’m just waiting for him to let me go so I can start my own life.”
Kerri didn’t mention who her husband was and Agnes didn’t ask. If it was bound to end, there was no need to dig deeper. Agnes had always held this
view
Kerri must have made up her mind to tell her about it today.
Agnes said, “Well, I wish you a speedy divorce.”
Kerri clinked her glass with Agnes‘ and said, “Thank you.”
