In case someone else was listening, Zane whispered, "I just wanted to apany you, even if it''s only a few minutes."


    I hadn''t expected Zane to be so clingy. I gently patted his arm and asked, "Have you eaten?"


    Zane paused upon hearing that.


    I handed him my utensils and said, "Have some. You shouldn''t starve."


    "Okay."


    Zane forgot that he hadn''t eaten, so he only brought a set of utensils. I would take a few bites and then hand him my utensils for him to eat. After a while, we finished the food.


    Zane put away the container. Then, he gently massaged my hand.


    "Your hand must be tired after signing autographs all morning," he said.


    If it were when I still hadn''t gotten divorced or if Steven were asking me that question, I would say that I wasn''t tired. That was because I knew that even if I said I was tired, Steven wouldn''t empathize with me. But right now, it was Zane that I was speaking to.


    Gazing at Zane, I decided not to lie. Instead, I said honestly, "Yeah, my hand is so sore."


    Zane gazed at me with concern and said, "I initially thought that if I were around, you wouldn''t have to work so hard."


    Surprised, I gazed back at Zane.


    Zane gently caressed my cheek and said, "But when I think about it, I know that doing these things will make you feel more aplished. So, I decided to respect your decision. Anna, what do you think about it?"


    I decided to share my true thoughts with him, seeing how genuine Zane was. I said, "Actually, I quite enjoy my current situation. I may be busy, but it also means I am rewarded for my hard work. That gives me satisfaction and joy. But above all, I''m d you''re willing to respect me."


    Zane chuckled and said, "If I were to force you to be a housewife, doing nothing but living a carefree life, you might just break up with me."


    Not denying his concern, I said,


    "That''s about right. Ever since I met


    you, I''ve gotten used to being independent. I feel like a free bird earning a living for myself. Because of that, I don''t want to return to


    I


    where I have to ask for things."


    a life


    Promises made before actually getting into a rtionship-like "I''ll take care of you"-eventually became meaningless over time. Before a rtionship became sour over money, and eventually leading to mutual resentment and separation... It would be better to earn some money like what I am doing now. Even if we were to break up, I would still have a means of survival.


    Zane chuckled and said, "You''re right."


    I stole nces at Zane as I leaned on his shoulder. He wasn''t angered by my words. That got me thinking about when I was with Steven.


    In the beginning, Steven didn''t have much money, and I developed the habit of being frugal. Later, he gradually became richer, and we had a child of our own. With the child, our living expenses increased, and I requested more allowance. Yet, Steven would yell at me, using me of spendingvishly as soon as our family''s financial situation improved.


    At that time, I realized how difficult it


    was to survive on having to request


    ??


    money from my husband. And so, k suggested to work part-time and earn my own money. Yet, Steven became even angrier. He used me of using that to force him topromise. Then, he would m the door and leave.


    In the end, I had to figure out ways to earn money on my own.


    I lowered my gaze.