After she said those the whole place is just swallowed by silence. I honestly don't know what to say. Well I can't jump up and down in excitement cause that doesn't seem right. Jennie breathe in deeply as she sit on the stairs behind her. I cleared out my throat as I slide down my back against the wall to sit on the floor, so we're basically facing each other still.
"How should I feel about that?" I asked but more of saying it since I'm not really looking for an answer from her
"Don't ask me about how to feel stuff... I don't know those things anymore" she said casually. It seems like she can put down her 'mad Jennie around Lisa' mask after telling me that.
Silence again... No one talks. It's so quiet that I can hear us breathing inside this fire exit. I look at her for a couple of seconds before putting my eyes down again
"Why did you marry Kang?" I ask softly
" You haven't read the letter?" She ask
"You did state some reason but I'm pretty sure there's more to that"
"That's basically it. We moved here, I met Kang again. You know that there's just a short span of authorized stay in every country. Ella and I can stay longer if I have the US citizenship. I don't want to drag Ella in and out of the country because of that, I can't also work permanently if I don't live around here.. so what I'm saying is during those times I started dating Kang. He took care of Ella the most. He's kind, he's sweet, he's just an ideal guy to everyone else. So I did end up marrying him for 2 reasons.. cause I loved him and he helped me a lot. I loved him... But marriage does change. " This time I look up towards her "1 year into our marriage, Kang was drunk the same time I came home with a male colleague cause he's asking for some files that I left at home. Kang slapped me and he punched me that night" so I was right. Kang was the reason why she couldn't breathe last time. "I thought it was just a mistake and he was drunk... I can't believe I thought of that as an excuse for an abusive partner. A couple of weeks after, he got jealous over another colleague.. when I got home he punched me again. The same thing happens over and over again" she said
"Then what's holding you back from divorcement? You didn't told anyone about it?"
"I did. Some of my friends in my workplace knows. I'm thankful that they're not leaving me alone around Kang when we're in the hospital. I haven't told Irene cause she barely go here because she's also working. Have I tried divorcing him? I have. I talked to my attorney. We can't use the reason that he's abusing me cause he's smart, he knows where to punch me without leaving a mark behind... I mean he's a doctor after all so in short we don't have evidence"
"Less blood vessels near a certain part of skin has a less possibility for a bruise" she nodded. I brush my hair out of my face from how frustrated I am right now
"Any other reason for getting a divorce is hard. I told Kang that I wanted us to agree with the divorcement. He told me that once I do that I will lose my custody towards Ella. At first I don't really believe cause Ella will choose me either way right?" I nodded "but it's just one of the many factors that the court will take. Kang can use the 3 years of taking care of Ella as an advantage cause I haven't pulled myself together after we left korea. Kang can easily pull up my hospital records when I was deep into sulking about what happened to us.. he can use that against me as I was also seeing a therapist back then. He can use it as an excuse saying that I'm not mentally capable of taking care of Ella and that's the last thing that I wanted to happen "
"I think he's the one who's not mentally well" I said making Jennie's side lip twitch up for a moment "do you want to leave the country? We can go now.. you can take Ella" I said
"I also have tried that..... Didn't work. Kang told me that he'll be the one to pursue our divorcement and take it to court if I'll leave him like that" I sigh out as I put my head down. I'm already this mad about everything that Jennie told me... I can't imagine how much burden she has right now and for the past couple of years. "Cory knows. She invites me and Ella a lot when Kang's at home. She said that she can just do as much as that for me and Ella after I told her about the divorce thing"
"Cory's a really kind lady" I said
"She is"
"You came here because of me, didn't you?" She ask all of a sudden
"No" I said plainly making her chuckle. I don't even know how she can laugh when she's going through a lot
"It's my first time feeling that nervous again when Kang told me that you went by" this time I feel a hand on top of my head so I stayed still knowing that it's her "didn't want to worry you too much that's why I wasn't planning on telling you" she said while brushing my hair softly. I lift up my head so she pull her hand back slowly
"Why the fuck did you marry that douchebag?!" I said more like a kid throwing tantrums rather than being disappointed making Jennie laugh. That's the laugh that was missing.
"Why did you fuck up my research paper back then you dumbass" Jennie said as she raise up her hand acting like she's about to hit my head making me chuckle. I'm glad she already forgive me by throwing that as a joke.
"It's not like we can turn back time and erase those horrible things anymore " I said making Jennie nod
" I should go back before Kang wakes up" she said standing up making me do the same.
"Yeah sure, if he tried doing something poke him in the eye" I said as I hold the door to open it up for her
"Wow that's so brilliant Lisa. I would've been out of this marriage if I did that years ago huh?" She said sarcastically making me chuckle as well. I was about to open up the door when Jennie pressed her hand on the door to stop me
"Lisa" she said seriously making me turn to look at her "this is tough for me and I don't want to drag you within this mess. I want you to leave if you want to-"
"I won't"
"What do you mean, you won't?"
"I'll stay here with you"
"Ya Lalisa" she said authoritatively "you don't want to be a mistress trust me" she said making me laugh
"I didn't say that... you like me still, don't you?" I said teasingly
"I didn't said that... I'm just saying-"
"Then why are you talking about me being a mistress?"
"Just go back to your apartment. You're twisting my words" she said
"But seriously Jennie" I said stopping her from going out "I'll do everything I can to get you out of your marriage, alright? Just hang in there"
