The 99th Divorce

Shen Manting does not know when she fell asleep. In her state of daze, she could feel Shen Luo’an helping her shower.

He then made love to her again, waking her from her state of delirium – and again, mercilessly.

He only stopped in the latter half of the night.

Shen Manting finally managed to catch some sleep but she had a horrifying nightmare.

In her dreams, Shen Luo’an reeked of alcohol and was roughly and viciously ripping up her clothes to pieces as he pinned her down on top of the bathroom sink.

He brought her to the bottom of the abyss over and over again. The searing pain made her heart wrench.

The dream felt too real.

Shen Manting’s heart ached and she could not help but grab hold of him and cry as she pleaded, “Brother, no…”

Yet, he remained indifferent.

What awaited her was inhumane abuse, endless days of despair and his savagery.

“Please, no. Don’t do this to me. No…” she screeched.

…

Shen Manting seemed like she was having nightmares again.

Shen Luo’an could hear her thrashing her arms and whimpering softly beside him.

By the time he opened his eyes, Shen Manting’s face was already wet with tears.

Shen Luo’an reached over and patted her gently. “Don’t be afraid, Manting. Don’t be afraid,” he said softly in an attempt to comfort her.

However, in the next moment, he could clearly hear her call out, “Brother, no…”

Shen Luo’an instantly felt as if his heart was in his mouth and alarm bells began to ring.

He felt as if he had just been doused with a pail of cold water and was drenched from head to toe.

Shen Luo’an reached out to her anxiously and sat her up before beginning to shake her awake. “Manting, wake up!” he said urgently.

Perhaps he was shaking her rather forcefully because Shen Manting immediately opened her eyes.

Shen Manting was slightly dazed when she opened her eyes to darkness, what surrounded her was complete darkness.

Nonetheless, Shen Luo’an had his arms around her and was hugging her rather tightly.

“Dear…” Shen Manting called out and sounding slightly lost and uncertain.

Shen Luo’an’s tense muscles instantly relaxed.

By the time he loosened up, his back was already coated with a thin layer of sweat.

“Yes, everything’s ok. It was just a nightmare, you were only having a nightmare,” Shen Luo’an said as he patted her gently. “Don’t be afraid. I’m here,” he said softly.

Shen Manting was genuinely afraid.

Tears immediately streamed down her cheeks as she hugged him and said, “Dear, I dreamt of something extremely terrifying just now.”

“Don’t be afraid. Dreams are not real,” said Shen Luo’an.

“Alright,” Shen Manting replied. However, she was visibly shaken. “Dreams are the opposite of reality. You wouldn’t ever treat me like that,” she said.

Shen Luo’an froze when he heard this.

He felt as if a hand was wringing his heart; he was feeling extremely choked by the extreme remorse and guilt he felt.

Shen Luo’an tightened his arms around Shen Manting silently and buried his face into the nape of her neck.

His breath tickled her and flinched before she reproached him shyly, “Dear, I’m really tired.”

“Alright,” Shen Luo’an replied in a deep but quiet voice. “Get some sleep,” he said.

Shen Manting nodded as she was feeling a lot calmer.

She reached over and wrapped her arms around his narrow waist before proclaiming, “Dear, I feel so blessed.”

Her sudden words crashed down mercilessly on his heart like a thousand-pound weight.

When Shen Manting lifted her head up, Shen Luo’an planted a gentle kiss on the corner of her eye.

“Me too. I feel so blessed to have you by my side,” he whispered.

Shen Manting’s smile broadened and she fell into a deep slumber.

Her arms remained coiled around his waist, beneath the blanket and her breathing gradually steadied.

Shen Manting did not notice the tears that trickled out from the corner of Shen Luo’an’s eyes.

The night was silent and the room was completely dark.

Shen Luo’an held Shen Manting in his arms for a very long time before softly whimpering, “I’m sorry.”