By: Chloe Wu

Joyce’s shadows danced on the walls of the living room, as the rain splattered against the window plane. Joyce approached her husband, Jonathan, as he lay on the couch, watching television.

Husband, Joyce thought. She married this man, thinking he was her soulmate forever. She married this man, thinking that loving him would bring her euphoria. She married this man, thinking that she was basking herself in his love.

But they were lies stacked upon lies. Jonathan’s dishonesty in their marriage was revealed to her secretly a few days ago, leaving fresh cuts in the heart she thought would continue to pierce every day she remained with Jonathan. For months, Joyce ignored the rumors revolving around Jonathan’s infidelities. For months, Joyce gave her husband the benefit of the doubt.

“Jonathan.” Joyce’s voice shakes as she calls out his name. Jonathan turns around, looking at Joyce.

My revenge happens today, Joyce thought firmly. Her mind circled around pain and revenge as the rage inside of her grew.

“You cheated.” Joyce spoke angrily.

Jonathan rolled his eyes. “Yes, I did. Wasn’t it obvious?” He snickered in irritation.

Joyce clenched the cold, metal knife in her pocket and revealed it to Jonathan. “I put all my trust in our marriage, and you threw it away like it was nothing!”

Jonathan gulped in fear as he saw the weapon. His voice changed drastically from irritation to fear. “Please, you’re scaring me, Joyce. P-put that away…please…I can explain…”

“Explain?” Joyce yelled. “Explain what? There’s nothing left to explain.” Joyce’s voice rose. Joyce tightened her grip around the knife, walking closer to Jonathan as he tried to back away. His “apology” felt like salt rubbing into her wounds. The thunder rumbled, and the beat of the rain matched her heartbeat.

Jonathan whimpered and a few seconds of silence, which felt like forever, followed. Joyce observed Jonathan, wondering how things would have been if he had not betrayed her trust. She wondered how she fell in love with him in the first place.

Joyce raised the knife, ready to strike down on Jonathan. For the first time, she saw a glint of fear in his eyes. Aware that she has the power to end his life right at this moment, Joyce hesitated and backed away.

“I’m not like you.” Joyce scoffs. “I won’t let your actions define me.” The rain calms as Joyce backs away, tossing away the knife. Was it pity? Joyce thinks to herself. She knows she shouldn’t pity such a horrible person, but she couldn’t help it.

Joyce walked out of the room, leaving behind the life they had built together. She locked herself in her room, rethinking everything that had just happened. She didn’t know why, but she just couldn’t do it. She wanted to cause Jonathan the pain and suffering she faced, but she just couldn’t do it. Perhaps she did pity him after all.

Months later, Joyce had moved out and was ready to start a new life, leaving her past behind. Joyce realized that life goes on, and it always will go on. The end of her marriage with Jonathan means a new beginning focusing on herself. Joyce’s journey to recover from the scars in her heart was slow but steady. Joyce embraced herself during her recovery, finding beauty in her heart’s healing wounds.

From these scars, Joyce found her courage, strength, and resilience. Joyce gathered the determination and bravery to step into another chapter of her life, leaving behind the painful past and her broken marriage to find a future with hope.