Daxton looked at me with deep disappointment. "How expensive can heart supplements even be? We're all family. You and Catherine still have most of your lives ahead of you. When did you become so petty?"
Seeing their grief and shock, I let out a cold laugh. "Family? That's only you guys. What does any of this have to do with me? I'm just an outsider."
"Don't go, honey! Please don't go!" Catherine pleaded.
It was as if something suddenly dawned on her. She scrambled forward and grabbed my leg. "Is it because I didn't care enough for you, so now you want a divorce? I'll change. I swear from now on, you come first in everything. Please don't divorce me, okay? I really can't live without you!"
Aubrie clutched her chest, crying that she must have committed some great sin. And a heartless son-in-law like me was her retribution.
I kicked Catherine away without hesitation. "If you have time to beg me, you should hurry up and take your parents to the hospital. Don't let them get so worked up they can't get back up!"
Ignoring their pale faces, I walked out. On my way, I grabbed the health supplements and the trash bag by the door and tossed them all in the dumpster.
I had barely stepped out of the neighborhood when my friend called.
"The agreement's ready. Come by when you can."
He paused. "I'm not trying to pry, but I really don't get it. You two have been fine for years. How did this suddenly turn into a divorce?"
I rubbed my glabella, feeling drained. "It's nothing. I'm just exhausted living with her family. I want out."
He sighed but didn't push further.
I went straight to pick up the divorce papers and signed them on the spot.
That evening, I returned home, packed away traces of my life there, and waited for Catherine to come back so we could sign and be done.
However, I waited past 9:00 pm without any reply from her.
Since I had no other options, I decided to call her so we could talk and make things clear.
Just as I pulled out my phone, I got a call from one of Catherine's coworkers.
On the other end, the voice was urgent and drowned in background chaos. "Gabriel, can you come check on Catherine? She's been out of it all afternoon, completely pale. She fainted before she even got out of the building after work.
"The doctor said she was emotionally triggered. Her heart's acting up. She's at the hospital. Please hurry."
I drove straight there.
As soon as I walked into the hospital room, the place was packed.
Aside from Aubrie and Daxton, there was also a whole group of her coworkers I recognized but barely knew.
My parents were staring at me too, anger written all over their faces.
My mouth opened, but before I could say anything, Dad slapped me so hard I stumbled into the doorframe.
My ears rang.
On the bed, Catherine struggled to get up, her face twisted with worry.
"D-Dad, don't hit him. We can talk things out."
At her words, Dad's eyes reddened. "Look at her! She's hospitalized because of you, and she's still worried about you!
"You ungrateful brat! Catherine's such a good woman. How could you suddenly demand a divorce? Are you that desperate for money? Who's starving you? Why fixate on a bit of cash?
"You've been spoiled all these years, haven't you? Now you think being cared for is something you earned?"
Mom, who had always defended me growing up, looked at me with disappointment. She said, "I hate to say it, but you really crossed the line this time."
Dad snorted. "What are you waiting for? Apologize to Aubrie and Daxton. Do you know how badly you upset them yesterday?"
Swallowing my frustration, I met all their angry stares. "This is my decision. It has nothing to do with any of you. Stay out of it."
Then, I borrowed a pen from the doctor and handed it to Catherine along with the divorce agreement.
"I'm here only to get divorced."
The room fell silent. Her coworkers, who had assumed my parents' scolding would make me rethink everything, stared at me in shock.
