I Erased Our Marriage Timeline Chapter 10
Joseph started drinking, spiraling into a haze that lasted from dawn until dusk.
He abandoned the company. Soon, projects fell through, and clients vanished.
His partners called to berate him, but he simply hung up and kept drinking.
Bethany came to see him once.
He was living in that cavernous house surrounded by a sea of empty bottles, the curtains drawn tight against the world.
“Joseph, is this really how you want to live?” Bethany stood at the doorway, refusing to step inside.
He leaned back against the sofa, his eyes vacant. “It doesn’t matter.”
“Then why won’t you pull yourself together?”
“For who?” He let out a sharp, hollow laugh. “Perla isn’t coming back. And neither are you.”
Bethany was silent for a moment. “You’re right. I’m not coming back.
“Let’s end this. We’re over.”
Joseph didn’t try to stop her.
He knew he didn’t have the right.
Six months later, the Moreno Group became embroiled in a massive financial scandal. As the legal representative, Joseph was held accountable.
The company went bankrupt. His properties were seized, and every asset under his name was frozen.
The once-celebrated CEO of the Moreno Group became a man with nothing overnight.
People in his old social circles shook their heads. “The man is finished.”
Others wondered aloud. “He used to be so sharp. How did he fall apart so fast?”
No one had the answer.
Only Joseph himself knew what happened. He had destroyed himself.
Three years later, Perla stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows of her new office in Los Angeles, looking out over the Los Angeles River.
She had returned from her studies and joined a top-tier design firm; within six months, she had been promoted to director.
Today was the launch of a project she had spearheaded. It was a resounding success.
While her colleagues celebrated in the conference room, she stepped out for some fresh air.
Suddenly, her phone rang. It was Bethany.
“Perla! Congratulations! I just saw you on the news.”
Perla smiled. “Thank you.”
“Oh, don’t be so formal with me,” Bethany said, her voice light and airy. “Anyway, are you free this weekend? Let me treat you to afternoon tea.”
“I’m free. Are you bringing the boyfriend?”
Bethany paused, then laughed. “How did you know?”
“That bouquet you posted on Instagram? You definitely didn’t buy that for yourself.”
“You notice everything,” Bethany giggled. “Fine, I’ll bring him along so you can check him out.”
The weekend brought beautiful sunshine.
When Perla arrived at the cafe, Bethany was already there, sitting beside a refined, soft-spoken man.
“Perla!” Bethany waved. “This is Kellan Lloyd. Kellan, this is Perla.”
Kellan stood up, offering a warm smile and a handshake. “Hello. I’ve heard so much about you from Beth.”
Perla shook his hand, taking him in with a smile. “Nice to meet you. I’ve heard plenty about you, too. You’re every bit as impressive as she said.”
Bethany blushed and shot her a look. “Oh, shut up.”
The three of them chatted through the afternoon, the atmosphere easy and bright.
Kellan was gentle and attentive, clearly devoted to Bethany. When he spoke, his gaze drifted naturally to her, his eyes full of light.
Perla felt a sense of peace.
Bethany deserved this kind of happiness.
They stayed and talked until evening. While Kellan went to get the car, Bethany and Perla waited by the cafe entrance.
“Perla,” Bethany said suddenly. “Are you still alone?”
Perla gave a small smile. “Being alone is actually pretty great.”
“What about Theodore…?”
“He’s just a friend. He’s always been just a friend.” Perla looked at the distant sunset. “He’s in love with someone, and it isn’t me.”
Bethany was quiet for a beat. “Perla, have you ever thought about…”
“No.” Perla cut her off, her tone steady. “I don’t want to go back. And I don’t want to settle.
“If the right person doesn’t come along, being alone is perfectly fine.”
Bethany looked at her, her eyes misting slightly, but she smiled. “Good. As long as you’re happy.”
Kellan’s car pulled up. Before getting in, Bethany took one last look at Perla.
“Perla. Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For saving my life. For letting me find Kellan.” Bethany smiled warmly. “Thank you for finally living for yourself.”
Perla stood in the glow of the setting sun and smiled back.
As the car drove off, she turned and began to walk slowly along the street.
As she passed a bookstore, the glass window reflected her figure.
Her hair was cut short now, making her look sharp and capable, her eyes bright and confident.
She was worlds away from the timid, hesitant Perla of her past life.
Her phone buzzed. It was a message from Theodore: “The launch was a huge success. Congrats. Dinner sometime when you’re free?”
She smiled and typed back, “Deal.”
She tucked her phone away and kept walking.
Behind her stretched a city glowing with thousands of lights. Ahead of her lay a broad and open road.
She didn’t look back.
In the distance, a disheveled, middle-aged man crouched at a street corner, watching her retreating figure with bloodshot eyes.
He tried to stand, but his legs failed him. He could only hunker there, watching helplessly as she vanished into the crowd.
The wind was biting, making him shiver violently.
He opened his mouth to call her name but no sound would come.
In the end, he could only crouch there clutching his head as silent tears streamed down his face.
No one spared him a second glance.
In this world, no one cared about him anymore.
Back in the memory of the cafe, Perla and Bethany had clinked their glasses.
The aroma of coffee drifted through the sunlight, and the street outside was bustling with the vibrant energy of life.
“Cheers,” Bethany said with a grin. “To new beginnings.”
“To new beginnings,” Perla echoed, her lips curving upward.
The sunlight fell across her face, warm and brilliant.
She had finally become the person she wanted to be.
And everything concerning Joseph had long since turned to dust, scattered to the wind, and gone from their lives forever.