Nevertheless, the cabinet that was full of gifts, like this table full of seafood platter, had become a mark of shame for me.
"It was my dad who could tolerate it. That was his problem. But I couldn’t."
If it wasn’t for the strong belief that family disgrace shouldn’t be aired in public, I would’ve wanted to turn the world upside down. In the end, Miranda did something. She tore up the divorce agreement, stormed over, grabbed my wrist and stared at me with bloodshot eyes.
"Anthony, you must explain yourself today! Why are you seeking a divorce? Are you seeing someone else?"
She actually had the nerve to ask if I was cheating.
The strength of her grip made me wince, so I couldn’t help but gasp.
I yanked my arm free and replied coldly, "It’s because just looking at you disgusts me! And your smell is even worse!"
That one sentence was enough to cause even more chaos. My mother-in-law quickly burst into tears, calling me an ungrateful son-in-law. Meanwhile, my sister-in-law pointed at me and called me a troublemaker. Even my usually quiet uncle shook his head and sighed.
"Anthony, you’re really going to ruin your relationship like this!"
Unfortunately for my family, they had no idea that my marriage to Miranda had been dead in name only ever since she got addicted to night fishing. The room was filled with voices, each accusation buzzing in my ears like a swarm of mosquitoes.
Nevertheless, I took out another copy of the divorce agreement and handed it to Miranda.
"If you want to separate peacefully, I’ll see you at the City Hall on Wednesday at 9:00 AM."
My firm stance eventually brought Miranda to tears.
She then stepped forward and clung to me tightly.
"Babe, please … just stop this, okay? It’s all my fault. I should’ve never gotten addicted to night fishing! If you really hate it, I can stop it. I’ll go back to being the loving wife you married, okay?"
Her tearful plea sparked another round of judgmental looks from everyone present. My friend, Ralph Anderson, who had appeared out of nowhere, also chimed in.
"Anthony, a man shouldn’t be so harsh. Miranda’s willing to give up her hobby for you. Can’t you just let it go? If you really go through with a divorce, how are you, a man with nothing left, going to find another woman who’ll be this devoted to you?"
Let them talk. I was done with this marriage. I turned to leave but saw Olive standing at the door, her face turning pale.
I didn’t know how much Olive had overheard or understood, but I reached for her hand and said, "Baby, come home with Daddy."
She suddenly refused, shaking her head with all her strength.
"No! I don’t want Mom and Dad to get divorced! I don’t want to be laughed at for being that kid!"
She turned to look at my dad for help, realizing that he must’ve slipped out earlier just to brainwash her and bring her in at the right time.
"Anthony, you’re a father now. You have to think about your child. Don’t be so selfish."
My father’s words hit me like a hammer, piercing straight into my already shattered heart. He could choose to live blindfolded and play the cuckold. But I wasn’t going to keep lying to myself. That was my freedom, too.
I squatted down and tried to lift Olive, but she scratched and bit me like a panicked little animal.
"You’re a bad dad! The worst dad!"
"Anthony, that’s enough."
Ralph suddenly cut in, grabbing my arm with fake concern.
"So many people are jealous of you for having a wife like Miranda. How can you be so ungrateful? Is some other woman really worth throwing all this away?"
His words were like oil in a frying pan, setting off an instant explosion in the room. Just like that, the conversation spiraled. And somehow, I was now a cheater. How shameless!
