Genius in the Village: I Walk Away and Win

When my husband, Jared Hunt, receives a promotion that requires him to travel to Belmont, a big city, he submits a list of family members who will be traveling with him to the organization.

He has submitted two names; the first one being our son, Jackson Hunt, and the second being a knowledgeable young woman, Sabrina Hayes. She's a friend who has traveled to the village with him in the first place.

Life in the village is difficult. There's no way Jared will let Jackson suffer in the village.

As for Sabrina, he has already given her his word to take her back to Belmont a long time ago.

But when it comes to me, his actual wife, he thinks I should be gracious and offer the opportunity of traveling to Belmont to others.

"It's completely useless for a country bumpkin like you to go to Belmont. Sabrina is very knowledgeable, so she's a more suitable candidate. Jackson and I will come back for you when an opportunity comes up in the future."

As I listen to Jared's perfunctory explanation, I can feel my heart breaking.

But what Jared doesn't know is that I'm not a country bumpkin despite having lived in the village longer than him.

The truth is, I'm the talent that Belmont wants the most. The promotion that Jared cherishes the most is actually something that I don't want.

I returned home in a daze, only to hear cheerful laughter coming from inside.

Jared Hunt saw me and immediately wiped the smile from his face, giving me a cold, indifferent look. "Since you're back, get dinner ready. Everyone's waiting."

He didn't ask why I was late, nor did he mention the travel list I had handed in.

When Jared first came to the countryside, he fell for me at first sight. He always stammered and fumbled his words whenever we spoke. I hadn't planned on getting involved with anyone, but Jared kept blushing and following after me. Over time, I let my guard down and agreed to be with him.

When we first got married, Jared promised that one day, he would take me back to Belmont and show me the city where he grew up.

Somewhere along the way, I fell more deeply in love, but Jared began to pull away.

Sabrina Hayes stepped out of Jared's room, dressed in the very wedding dress I had cherished for years.

Her smiling eyes curved into crescents, carrying the effortless beauty of youth. The red bodice of the dress made her cheeks look even more rosy.

In contrast, years beneath the sun and wind had already left fine lines at the corners of my eyes.

Sabrina saw me and covered her mouth, gasping softly. "Kylie, you're back! My dress got wet earlier, so Jared found me something else to change into. I hope you don't mind."

Her words sounded apologetic, but the pride in her eyes nearly overflowed.

I bit back my anger and said stiffly, "He told you to change, and you went along with it. Can't you see this is a wedding dress? Do you really think it's appropriate to change clothes in the house of another woman's husband?"

Sabrina froze, and tears slowly welled up in her eyes. "I didn't know. I'm sorry..."

Jared suddenly slammed his hand on the table and shouted at me, "Enough! I was the one who gave Sabrina the clothes. Why are you taking it out on her? Her dress got wet. Do you expect her to keep wearing it? Can you stop being so selfish?"

I bit my lip, unable to believe that Jared was actually shouting at me.

Even my son, Jackson Hunt, put down his book with a frown.

"Mommy, it's just a dress. You scared Sabrina—you're being way too petty."

His words chilled me to the bone, making me feel as if I were the one to blame.

Jared gently brushed away Sabrina's tears, then gave me an icy stare.

"Stop making a scene. Get dinner ready. Sabrina's eating here tonight, and don't add chili pepper. She can't handle it."

Before I could respond, he left without looking back.