Ashes in the Mirror

As Zhou Ya slid the last page of bank statements bearing evidence of betrayal into the file folder, the sharp edge of the paper nicked her fingertip. The instant a bead of blood welled up, memories from fifteen years ago came rushing back: Chen Zhiyuan, the poor student who had spent three months' living expenses on a silver ring for her, once held her hand and vowed, “One day, I’ll fill your fingers with diamonds.”

Now diamonds did indeed fill her jewelry box, but the marriage that had begun when they had nothing had shattered into irreparable pieces amid the cold figures on the bills. The vows still echoed in her ears, but his heart had long since moved on.

With resolute strokes, Zhou Ya signed the divorce papers, then set fire to every wedding photo that captured their once-happy days. As the flames blazed skyward, she thought she was burning away the past and stepping into freedom. But life’s cruelty went far beyond that. She fell from the comfortable life of Mrs. Chen to becoming a single mother struggling to survive. With her young son, Xuan'ang, she trudged through the thorny realities of life. Workplace discrimination, financial pressure, her child’s tears, and her ex-husband’s constant interference nearly broke her.

Just as she struggled to rise again from the ashes, her four-year-old son held up the faded silver ring and gazed at her with clear eyes, asking a childish question that pierced her heart: “Mom, can this fix Dad?”

That question was like a beam of light, suddenly shining into the desolation hidden in the deepest part of her heart.