My mother was the happiest person in the world when our son was born.
But the Hensons were too overbearing. They told my mother straight to her face that the boy would have no future in our family, so he would carry the Henson name, not Gilbert. Their Henson, not ours.
They took full control of his upbringing and education. My mother, his grandmother, was allowed to visit him once a month.
At first, even though she was hurt, she counted down the days until each visit. She lit up every time.
But as the boy grew older, the Hensons molded him into one of their own. He learned to worship wealth and look down on his grandmother for being poor.
I lost it over that. I slapped my son hard across the face.
And the entire Henson family closed ranks against me. They called me every name in the book, tore me apart from every angle.
Even Serena said to me：“You're blowing this way out of proportion. He didn't grow up with his grandmother. It's normal for him to be a little distant.”
My son had already been shaped beyond recognition by that family.
You become what surrounds you. Day after day of their influence, and he started pulling away from me too.
Maybe in his mind, it wasn't just his poor grandmother who embarrassed him. It was his poor father.
My mother had once been so proud that I'd married a beautiful, accomplished woman from a wealthy family. She bragged about it to everyone she knew.
But after our son was born, when she should have been happier than ever, the light in her went out.
Maybe it was the years of quiet misery that wore her down. Her illness didn't drag on long. She left this world far too soon……
One in the morning.
Serena called when she realized I hadn't come home：“Where are you? Why aren't you home?”
I kept my voice steady：“I went to a lawyer today. Had them draft the divorce papers.”
Silence on her end. Then, quietly：“Can we not do this? Please?”
Her words cut deeper than I expected.
I'd convinced myself I didn't care anymore.
But years of love don't just vanish because you decide they should.
People are messy like that. Full of contradictions.
I didn't answer her. I hung up.
A few days passed.
She called again, said her mother was having a birthday dinner and wanted me there.
I wasn't going to go.
But I looked at the divorce papers in my hand and changed my mind. One way or another, this needed to end.
I pulled up to the Henson residence again.
Every other time I'd stood in front of that mansion, a weight had settled over me.
Not this time.
Maybe it was the papers in my hand. They felt like a key. No more chains. No more bowing.
I arrived late.
The house was already packed with guests, all buzzing around Mrs. Henson, showering her with birthday wishes and gifts. The younger ones knelt to collect cash envelopes.
The moment I walked in,
the crowd parted.
I carried the divorce papers straight to Mrs. Henson.
Serena and her sister stood behind their mother. Finn was there too.
Mrs. Henson's expression soured the second she saw how late I was.
Same as always, she looked down at me and snapped：“Why are you so late? Do I even exist in your eyes?”
Serena stepped in from behind her mother, smoothing things over with a smile：“Mom, calm down. I'm sure Clark was out getting you a gift. He probably wanted to surprise you. That's why he's late.”
Mrs. Henson's face relaxed a fraction. She said coolly：“What gift?”
I smiled faintly and held out the divorce papers：“This might be the best gift I've given you in all these years. I think you'll finally be satisfied.”
The moment Mrs. Henson saw the words DIVORCE AGREEMENT printed across the cover, the color drained from her face.
Every guest and relative in the room went dead silent, staring at me and Serena in open disbelief.
Serena's face turned white……
