Chapter 3 of Divorced by Three My Daughters-in-Laws Betrayal

"If you don't want to put in the effort, that's fine. You can pay instead." Bella examined her manicure as if this conversation bored her. "That's how it works with mothers-in-law. You either contribute labor or cash. Pick one."

She spoke with absolute entitlement. Like she was doing me a favor by offering an alternative.

Ian nodded immediately. "Right, Mom. Just pay up. Five thousand dollars a month for nutrition and expenses should be enough."

Their voices carried through the house. Sean and Julian appeared in the doorway with their wives in tow, drawn by the scent of money like sharks to blood.

Olivia shoved past her husband, eyes bright with greed. "I'm planning to get pregnant too! Since you have three sons, you have to be fair. Give me five thousand a month for nutrition as well."

Sarah wasn't far behind. "We're also planning for a baby. As the saying goes, inequality is worse than scarcity. Five thousand a month. Same as everyone else."

I sat there, popping imported cherries into my mouth. Two hundred dollars a box. In my past life, I wouldn't have dared spend money on such luxury—every penny went to these ingrates.

Now, the sweetness of the fruit was enhanced by the bitter comedy unfolding before me.

I watched them like a circus performance. Clowns tripping over each other, scrambling for imaginary money.

Sebastian stood by the door, jaw clenched so tight a vein pulsed in his temple. Finally, he spoke, his voice tight enough to snap. "Your mother's pension is only nine thousand a month. She doesn't have that kind of money to give you."

Olivia waved him off, smug. "Mom used to run a supermarket on top of her job. She made plenty of money." Her eyes glittered. "If she doesn't spend it on her sons, who is she going to spend it on? Taking it to the grave?"

Sebastian's face turned a dangerous shade of crimson. His hands curled into fists at his sides.

It was one thing for parents to give willingly.

It was another thing entirely for children to demand it like a debt owed.

"I've already divorced your mother." Sebastian's voice dropped to a low growl. "Didn't you see I'm packing? I'm getting the hell out of here!"

Dead silence.

They looked at me. Then at Sebastian. Then at the suitcase behind him.

Disbelief painted every face. Old couples didn't actually divorce. This had to be a bluff.

Sarah recovered first, anger flooding her features. "You say you're divorced? How? A divorce means dividing property! We're part of this family. We have a right to know how the assets were split!"

Bella and Olivia flanked her, crossing their arms in unison. Stern. Demanding. Like auditors descending on a fraudulent business.

"Exactly! What kind of divorce is this? Explain it clearly!"

"Divorcing at this age? Aren't you afraid of dying alone?"

Sebastian's face went dark as a thundercloud. "Our business is not your concern. You focus on your own lives." His voice hardened. "The divorce is simple. I'm leaving with nothing. Your mother followed me for a lifetime, and now she wants out. I respect that. And you will not make things difficult for her."

*Leaving with nothing.*

The words detonated like a bomb.

The room exploded into chaos.

"Dad, why are you leaving with nothing?"

"Mom is the one who wants the divorce! If anyone leaves with nothing, it should be her!"

"I don't care about your divorce papers! She's my husband's mother—she's my mother-in-law! She has to support our family!"

"Dad! Mom! What is this? You're just dropping the burden and running away?"

"Have you considered our feelings? We have expenses!"

"I must be cursed! Why are you two going crazy?"

The noise battered against my skull like fists.

My patience snapped.

*SMACK!*