The Broken Marriage

Finn Green had been away on a business trip for half a month; today, he finally came back. His friends had arranged a welcome banquet at a fancy downtown restaurant. I held Ann's hand as we stepped into the private room, which was already packed with people. Finn sat at the head of the table and stood up as soon as he saw us. "Stacy, Ann, come sit here." He reached out, trying to pull Ann into a hug. Ann slipped behind me, looking at him nervously. He'd been traveling so much these past six months that Ann was already a bit of a stranger to him. The others in the room began teasing, making jokes about 'long time no see, better than newlyweds.' I forced a smile and pulled Ann to sit in the empty seat next to Finn Green. Just as we sat down, a woman in a white dress carrying a wine glass walked over. She was Finn Green's secretary, Tina Jones. She stood beside Finn Green with a bright smile, her voice soft and delicate. "Mr. Green, thank you for trusting us on this business trip. Otherwise, the matter of the 'drugging' would've been really hard to resolve." Her words felt like a needle, stabbing sharply into my chest. I paused, my hand holding the teacup, and looked up at Finn Green. He frowned briefly but didn't argue, simply said coolly, 'It's all work, it's what I'm supposed to do.' Tina's gaze flicked over me, a faint, barely noticeable smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth. Ann suddenly tugged my sleeve and whispered, 'Mom, what does that lady mean by "drugging"?' The private room went silent in an instant, all eyes locked on us. My face flushed; I clenched my anger and gently patted Ann's head. Finn awkwardly cleared his throat and said to Ann, 'Kids shouldn't ask about these things. Just eat your food.' Ann, however, refused to back down, tilting her head up to look at him: "Daddy, were you in danger? Why didn't you tell Mommy?" The moment the word "Daddy" left her lips, Tina Jones let out a light, knowing laugh. "Such a sweet kid, but Mr. Green's business trip was tough this time. Good thing I'm here." That sentence completely set me off. I gripped Ann's hand tightly, my voice cold as ice. "Ann, from now on, don't call him Daddy anymore. Call him Mr. Green." Finn Green's expression instantly darkened. He grabbed my wrist. "Stacy Shaw, have you made your point yet?" "Me, throwing a tantrum?" I shook his hand off. "Finn Green, why didn't you tell me about this while you were on your business trip? And why did you let your secretary bring it up at a social event like this?" "It was an accident! And Secretary Jones only mentioned it in passing!" His voice rose a few notches. Tina Jones immediately looked hurt. "Mr. Green, it's all my fault. I shouldn't have said anything that upset Ms. Shaw." Her fragile look only made me seem more aggressive. Ann, frightened by our argument, started crying and clung to my skirt. "Mom, I'm scared..." I held Ann close, my heart aching, and looked at Finn Green. "This meal's impossible to eat now. I'm taking Ann home." After saying that, I turned around with Ann in my arms and walked away. Finn Green called my name from behind, but I didn't look back. Once outside the restaurant, the evening breeze brushed my face, and only then did my eyes sting with tears. Urgent footsteps sounded behind me—Finn Green was catching up. "Stacy, wait. Let me explain." He reached out, trying to grab my arm. I stepped aside, holding Ann as I took a step back. "No need to explain. I already heard everything." "That incident was the partner's doing; Secretary Jones was just covering for me, nothing more." He said hurriedly. "Nothing more?" I sneered, "Does the secretary really need to bring it up at the welcome banquet? Trying to let everyone know you can't live without her?" At that moment, Tina Jones came rushing out, holding Finn Green's coat. "Mr. Green, here's your coat. It's windy tonight; don't catch a cold." She handed the coat to Finn Green, then looked at me. "Ms. Shaw, don't get the wrong idea. Mr. Green and I are just in a boss-subordinate relationship. I won't say anything inappropriate anymore." Finn Green took the coat, frowning as he said to Tina Jones, "You go on back first. I'll take care of things here." Tina Jones nodded, and before she left, she shot me a look—her eyes brimming with provocation, impossible to hide. I looked at Finn Green. "You saw that? And this is what you call 'just superior and subordinate'?" "She's just young and naive. Don't waste your time arguing with her." Finn Green's tone carried a trace of favoritism. That sentence completely froze my heart. Holding Ann, my voice calm but firm, I said, "Finn Green, I don't want to argue with you anymore. Let's go home." He wanted to say more, but I was already holding Ann and walking to the curb, where I hailed a taxi. As the car started, I caught sight of Finn Green standing there through the rearview mirror, his face grim. Ann leaned against me and whispered, "Mom, does Dad not like us anymore?" I held her close, my eyes welling up. "No, Ann, don't overthink it. Mom will always be here for you."