"Kyle, listen to me carefully. I, Sophie, have no intention of ever having children because no man is worth the pain of carrying a child for ten months!"
Sophie said this to me during a company dinner.
As I left the gathering amidst the complex gazes of others, I returned home only to receive a package—Sophie's pregnancy report.
She was already a month along, and I had just returned from a business trip two months prior.
Despite this profound betrayal, I felt an unexpected sense of relief.
I called Sophie calmly, saying, "Let's find a time to get divorced."
"Kyle, what are you talking about? Just because I won't have kids for you, you want to divorce me?"
Her voice dripped with disdain.
"Sophie, look at this little sock. Shouldn't we get it for our baby?"
A soft male voice chimed in—it was Ethan, her childhood friend.
——
The call ended abruptly.
I glanced at the villa I had considered home for seven years and exhaled deeply.
This house was purchased outright before our marriage, but now it felt tainted. I decided to move out and sell it.
As I packed my things, the door swung open.
Sophie entered with Ethan's arm around her.
"Kyle, where are the slippers?"
"Ethan's afraid of getting cold; could you grab him a pair?"
Sophie commanded me as usual.
Ethan wore a smug smile, his eyes taunting me as he spoke softly, "Kyle, could you help us out?"
I shoved my design sketches into my suitcase without responding or looking at them.
Their presence made me nauseous—like being drunk and then getting into a bumpy car while surrounded by sickly sweet perfume.
"Are you deaf?"
Sophie yelled, throwing off her high heels and aiming one at me.
I dodged it and shot her a cold glance but chose silence.
Noticing my suitcase for the first time, she frowned and asked, "What's going on?"
"I told you on the phone—divorce," I replied flatly.
Though I had loved her deeply once, disappointment had piled up until love vanished in an instant.
"Kyle, are you throwing a tantrum? I've told you before; I'm not into women! Sophie is just my best friend," Ethan added in a mocking tone.
"Let's make amends; please don't be upset. I'll try not to bother Sophie anymore."
"Ethan, what did you do wrong?"
"It's Kyle's jealousy that's causing all this trouble; it has nothing to do with you!"
"And he's upset just because I won't give him children!" Sophie shot me a loathing look.
Sophie glared at me and said, "If I had known you'd react this way, I wouldn't have married you!"
"It's not too late to leave," I said while securing my suitcase and checking my drawing equipment before heading for the door.
"I'll list the villa with an agent; you should hurry and move out."
"You're selling our home?" Sophie shrieked suddenly.
She grabbed my arm. "Kyle, I'm only refusing to have kids! Is that really worth a divorce? We agreed—you wouldn't pressure me about children! You brought it up in front of everyone today; I only spoke my mind!"
"Don't touch me; you're filthy," I retorted as I shook off her grip.
