A Public Reckoning

My hand had just reached the door when a knock sounded from outside. I opened it to find Bertha standing there with a warm smile. "Keith, these are eggs from the old hens back in my hometown. I figured you could use the extra nutrition."

I could tell that this wasn't a social call, but she wanted to have a chat with me. "Come in and have a seat, Bertha."

She stepped inside and glanced at Irene. "You're home too, Irene. I know I'm likely overstepping here, but I'm of the opinion that a woman shouldn't meddle in another person's household once she's married, wouldn't you agree? A wife should care for her husband instead of another."

Irene kept her head down, eating in silence. She didn't say a word. However, I noticed a hint of guilt in her eyes when she snuck a glance at me.

I gave Bertha a glass of water, but she waved her hands politely. "I'll just say a couple of things. I still have to get back and take the kid to school."

I thanked her with a smile and walked her out. When I turned back, I saw Winston standing hesitantly by the door, not daring to step forward.

"Irene, Winston's waiting for you outside," I called out loudly into the room.

Irene flinched, startled, the cutlery slipping from her hand and clattering to the floor.

Winston hurriedly tried to explain in a low voice, "Irene and I are really innocent, Keith—don't misunderstand…"

The word innocent coming from his mouth sounded ridiculous.

I shot him a cold look. "Winston, drop the innocent act when you talk to me. You might be able to play Irene like a fiddle with how foolish she is, but not me. Everything your family's eaten and used these past years has been paid for by my household.

"I'm giving you three days to pay it all back. If you don't, I'll take it to the broadcast station and announce it to the whole neighborhood."

Winston's face turned ashen. "Those were just things Irene helped us with because she felt bad for me raising a child alone. It's just groceries and the kid's necessities. I swear it's nothing more. Didn't Irene ever tell you how much she spent?"

"Whatever she spent on you before marriage isn't my concern. But those funds became shared marital property after we got married. She spent at least eighty percent of her salary on you each month. Since this has dragged on for five years, I'd say that's at least 25,000 dollars.

"If you don't pay it back, I'll take it to the authorities and let them sort it out."

The moment Winston heard that number, he froze in shock. He looked toward Irene inside the house, his expression pitiful. "Irene, say something…"

Irene barely dared to breathe. "Winston, you should pay it back. It's not a small amount. Just… do it for me…"

Winston looked completely stunned. Then, he dropped to his knees in front of me with a loud thud and started crying. "Keith, please try to understand me. I'm raising a child on my own. How am I supposed to come up with that kind of money…"

I didn't even bother wasting words. I knew full well that he was doing this to get out of his debt.

Instead, I went straight to the factory where both Irene and Winston worked, sought out their director, and told him everything. "Director, I'm not asking you to take any sides or play the judge here. I just want my money back. I don't care about anything else."

The director poured me a glass of water, trying to calm me down. "Keith, I've seen how devoted you've been to Irene all these years. She's in the wrong here. I'll help you get the money back, but divorce isn't something to take lightly…"

"Director, I've already submitted my application to go abroad. I'll be leaving next week to pursue my studies. Who knows how many years I'll be gone? It'll be better for all of us if she divorces me and marries Winston."

The director looked shocked. My reputation as a devoted family man had long been firmly established. So, no one expected that I would choose to go abroad.

Fortunately, he was a reasonable man as he said encouragingly, "Keith, studying abroad is a good opportunity. You have my support. Just take care of yourself out there.

"As for Irene… She was actually a strong candidate for Employee of the Year this time. I never expected her to be so lacking in judgment."

Before he could finish, Irene burst into the office. "Director, don't listen to him! We're not getting divorced! Also, I've never agreed to him leaving abroad! How could you decide on something so major without even discussing it with me?!"

Winston followed right behind, crying as he fell to the floor. "Director, please help me! There's no way I can repay that much money!"

Their commotion quickly drew a crowd of workers from the factory.

I spoke calmly. "Keep making a scene if you don't care about your pride. This divorce is happening, and you will pay me back."

Winston didn't care that he was now the center of everyone's attention as he shouted, "You're asking for 25,000 dollars! How am I supposed to live with my child after this? I might as well just die…"

He even scrambled toward the window, grabbing onto the windowsill as if he were about to jump.

No Shame Left to Hide

Irene immediately rushed forward and clung tightly to Winston as he broke down in tears. She followed along, coaxing and comforting him.

The director was thoroughly disgusted with them. "Have you two no shame at all? This is a workplace! Everyone is watching! How shameless! Keith, go home and get some rest. I'll make sure that this is properly handled."

I nodded and turned to leave. Irene hurried after me, trying to grab my arm. However, Winston caught up and held onto her tightly. I had no interest in sparing them even a glance. So, I strode away, went home to grab my documents, and bought my plane ticket.

By the time I returned, Irene was storming back toward the building in a fury with Winston trailing timidly behind her. I didn't know what had happened after I left, and I didn't care. I slipped the ticket into my pocket, pretended not to see them, and went back inside.

Not long after, the two of them showed up at my door together. The hallway was piled with a heap of miscellaneous items, and Winston's expression looked worse than ever.

Irene was the first to speak, "Keith, I've gotten everything back. Let's not get divorced, okay?"

Before I could answer, Winston burst out, "Keith Pembroke, I've returned everything I've taken! I don't want anything anymore. Are you happy now? Irene, you don't have to worry about my boy and me anymore. Just let the two of us fend for ourselves!"

I flipped through the pile of junk they had brought back and found that even the free-range eggs Irene had bought him just two days ago were there.

I clapped my hands and sniggered. "Winston, Irene's been the one helping you raise that child for the past five years. She has paid for everything you've eaten and used. Your wife's parents are long gone, and you are the sole owner of the compensation money, no?

"If I'm not mistaken, you've saved quite a bit, haven't you? Saying you'll be left with nothing to live on is quite an exaggeration, don't you think?"

Word about my outburst at the mine had already spread throughout the residential compound. The neighbors had been waiting to watch the drama unfold. As a result, the hallway was livelier than a holiday gathering.

Irene's face flushed bright red. "Winston! I've helped you plenty all these years. Can't you consider all the aid I've given you and stop making a scene? You may not feel embarrassed, but I do!"

Bertha stepped forward to smooth things over. "Keith, if this keeps going, everyone's going to be embarrassed. Life still has to go on."

I understood her good intentions. In this day and age, everyone was expected to keep family matters behind closed doors, especially family scandals. However, I knew I had nothing to be ashamed of.

As for Irene and Winston… Honestly, why would I care about them when I was going to divorce Irene soon enough?

I took Bertha's hand in mine. "Bertha, I've already made up my mind to divorce. I'll be leaving in five days to study abroad. I've already bought the ticket. You should take a look at these things. You have my permission to take anything your grandson can use.

"I was going to sell everything else as scrap even if you don't take them."

Bertha glanced between Irene and Winston, clearly feeling awkward.

I pulled her along. "This toy car would be perfect for your grandson. And these clothes—they're all brand new and about his size. You should take the eggs too."

Bertha thanked me profusely. Then, she turned slightly away and lowered her voice. "Keith, what you said about going abroad… Is that really true? Wouldn't you just be giving them everything?"

I nodded. "It's true, Bertha. Our country is still rebuilding. So, how can I waste my time on petty things like this?

"Irene doesn't know how to treasure what I've given her, but I'm sure the government and the people wouldn't dismiss me so easily if I devote myself to the country's rebuilding efforts."

Bertha could only nod in quiet support. As she passed Irene, she shook her head and sighed, muttering under her breath, "How can you throw away such a wonderful husband?"

Irene became as still as a statue under everyone's derisive eyes.

A Clean Break

When Winston saw Irene's attitude, he put on a pitiful, aggrieved expression and ran back into his room.

He returned with an envelope in hand. "Here's 20,000 dollars. It's everything I've got. It's all yours! As for the remaining 5,000… Well, you can decide whether my life is worth that much!"

Irene couldn't stand seeing Winston like that, and her heart softened immediately. "Winston, what are you doing? You can just pay it back slowly. There's no need to rush like this."

I shot Irene a glance, pulled the envelope from Winston's hand, and began counting the bills one by one right in front of them. "One, two, three…" I continued calmly until I was done.

"Good, good. There isn't even a cent short. You really have given me 20,000 dollars exactly. As for the remaining 5,000, let's just consider it part of the wedding fund Irene saved up for you over the years. You don't have to pay that back."

Irene instantly bristled. "Keith, you can't just say things like that! There are so many people watching. Everyone knows you are my husband!"

I let out a cold laugh. "That's why you should also know that everyone is well aware that you've been running to Winston's place over and over again? We aren't fools. We all know that the only one you really care about has always been him."

Winston's face lit up at that.

Irene's tone turned resolute, almost like she was swearing an oath. "Keith, I will never divorce you!"

Winston's expression darkened immediately.

I didn't respond. I simply turned and went back into the room. Irene followed closely behind me, sticking to my side as if I might disappear if she let me out of her sight.

I took out the envelope Winston had just handed over. I had intended to split it with Irene. After all, she had used the money she earned to pay for Winston's things.

Unfortunately for her, Winston's cries drew Irene's attention. She bolted toward the door, only to pause at the threshold as though she had just remembered I was about to divorce her. She looked torn, unsure whether to stay or go.

I waved my hand dismissively. "Go on. We're neighbors. It's only right to help each other."

Only then did Irene relax and hurry out.

Soon after, Bertha knocked and came in. "I just saw Winston twist his ankle. Irene helped him up and rushed him off to the hospital. Only God knows whether it's real. They're already like this while you're still here. I'm sure they'll cross the line the second you leave the country!"

I gave her a small smile. "Ah, but Bertha, I've already decided to leave. They can do whatever they want. This works out just fine for me. I've got nothing tying me down anymore, so I can focus on studying abroad. Oh, right. Here's 10,000 dollars. Please give it to Irene.

"I've handed in all the necessary paperwork, and I'll be leaving early tomorrow."

Bertha looked surprised. "That's so sudden! Didn't you say you'll be leaving in a week? Don't you think it's a bit rushed?"

I continued packing my things as I answered, "I'm worried that Irene might try to get in my way when the day comes. So, I'm leaving early. She doesn't know about this."

When Bertha saw the determination blazing in my eyes, she knew that there was no persuading me. So, she sighed and shook her head, saying nothing more.

…

I left the house with my luggage before dawn even broke. The skies were still in shades of purple with the barest tint of gold. The only thing I left behind for Irene was a signed divorce agreement.

The moment I boarded the plane, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief.

I had thrown everything away just for the sake of my little family in my previous life. Forget going abroad, I didn't even leave the province. Yet, all that devotion got me nowhere.

After I died, my soul was chained to Irene. I was forced to watch as she and that man walked side by side every day. I burned with anger, but there was nothing I could do. I watched them act all lovey-dovey right in front of me, all the way until I was given a second chance.

My time as a ghost made me rethink a lot of things. Eventually, I learned post-death that nothing was more important than improving myself and dedicating my life to serving my country.