Perhaps Leon never loved me at all. From the start, he only wanted my kindness and my money.
To him and his best friend Derek, my looks were painfully ordinary. In their eyes, being allowed to stand beside Leon was a heavenly blessing—a privilege I should've been grateful for.
It didn't matter that I treated him with unwavering devotion.
It didn't matter that I agreed to remain childless, sacrificing my own desires for his freedom.
None of it mattered.
My mother-in-law shattered the silence, slapping her thigh. "Why are you standing there like a statue? Admit your mistake and beg him to stay! Buy him that luxury watch. Get him those expensive collectibles. You know my son loves those things."
She glared at me, face twisted with accusation. "You must have done something terrible to anger Leon! Otherwise, he wouldn't be saying such outrageous things!"
A bitter taste rose in my throat.
Leon had made his intentions clear. He wanted out. Yet his parents still pinned the blame on me, demanding I grovel for forgiveness. They didn't leave me a shred of dignity.
Seeing me motionless, my father-in-law nudged my leg with his knee—a subtle hint to kneel.
"Evelyn," he said, tone dripping with condescension. "You're a woman. Swallowing grievances is part of life. Keeping the marriage intact is what matters."
He leaned back, crossing his arms. "A husband like my son—gentle, handsome, successful—is one in a million. You won't find another man like him. If you don't win him back today, you'll have nowhere to cry when regret hits."
The relatives joined the chorus.
"Hurry up! Apologize before my cousin gets serious!"
"Marrying into the Farley family was a blessing cultivated over three lifetimes. Your ancestors must have been watching over you—yet here you are, too proud to coax him back."
"Stop being dramatic. Even if it's not your fault, admit it. That's how marriage works!"
Not a single person spoke in my defense. Every voice demanded my submission.
And for what? Because of Leon's face? His inflated ego? Because he was bored with the stability I provided?
The questions swirled, then clarified into cold resolve. I stood slowly, smoothing my skirt. I met Leon's eyes, my gaze steady.
"I agree to the divorce," I said, enunciating each word. "From this moment, the bond between us is severed. We have nothing to do with each other."
My voice wasn't loud, but it cut through the noise like a blade. The room fell silent. Even Leon froze, surprise flickering across his face—as if he hadn't expected me to let go so easily.
Before anyone recovered, I picked up the divorce agreement and signed my name with a flourish.
"Are you crazy?"
My in-laws surged to their feet, faces flushing red.
"Evelyn Henson!" my mother-in-law shrieked. "Are you out of your mind? Leon mentions divorce in a fit of anger, and you actually sign? Do you have no sense?"
"Tear it up!" my father-in-law commanded. "Kneel down, apologize, and list your mistakes until he forgives you!"
Absurd. Leon demanded the divorce, yet they didn't dare question him. The fault could only ever lie with me.
Like father, like son. Arrogance was woven into their DNA.
Leon, seemingly afraid I might listen and tear up the papers, lunged forward and snatched the document from my hands.
"Let's go," he said coldly, checking his watch. "City Hall. If we're late, the clerks will be off work."
He was so impatient to be rid of me.
A chill settled over my heart. My sincerity, my five years of youth and devotion—I had fed it all to wolves.
I turned and followed Leon toward the door.
My father-in-law grabbed my arm in a vice grip. "Evelyn Henson! Don't say I didn't warn you!"
His mask of wisdom slipped, revealing the greed underneath. "You're a woman in your thirties. Divorce my son, and you're damaged goods. Even stray dogs won't want you!"
He tightened his grip. "Kneel down, and I'll put in a good word. And if that's not enough—hand over your parents' pension cards. That might make my son feel more at ease."
He paused, adding the final insult. "Oh, and that old house your parents live in? The deed should be transferred to Leon's name. As compensation."
