Ever since I became pregnant, my husband hadn’t returned to our bedroom at night.
He never allowed me into his studio, but I knew it’s filled with beautiful dolls, each posed in different ways.
When our daughter turned two, she wandered inside by accident. The floor was littered with doll clothes and piles of tissues. Ethan Blackthorn exploded, shouting at her until she burst into tears.
Fury surged through me. I slapped him and demanded a divorce.
Family and friends stared in shock. My mother-in-law snapped at me, “My son works hard to support this family and you have the nerve to act crazy after giving birth to a child they see as worthless!”
I replied coldly, “He’s making beautiful silicone dolls.”
She frowned. “He works hard to earn money for all of you, what’s wrong with that?”
Before I could answer, Ethan shoved me down. “I haven’t cheated on you and I give you all the money I earn. Just because I’m busy with work and can’t meet your sexual needs, you make such a scene?”
With everyone’s accusations ringing in my ears, I flung open the studio door, revealing everything.
——
There they were sexy, provocative dolls, dressed in skimpy outfits with seductive expressions, made to tempt people into indulgence and depravity.
“Ethan, go to the Ciy Hall now. I’ll give you what you want.” I hurled the household registration book in his face.
His cheeks flushed crimson with shame. He slapped me. “Ariana Valehart, can’t you be reasonable?”
“This is my work, it’s confidential to the industry. You’re humiliating me in front of everyone. Fine, fine, it’s all my fault. From now on, I’ll satisfy you once a week. Is that enough?”
“What a disgrace to the family! You worthless woman, is what happens in bed more important than your husband earning money?” My mother-in-law dropped onto the floor, slapping her thigh and railing at me.
Other relatives chimed in.
“A woman should be proper. You already have a child, why are you still trying to seduce a man?”
“Exactly. A man’s energy should be spent earning money, not wasted on women’s desires.”
“You’re irresponsible. You haven’t even given birth to a son. You’re completely useless.”
Today was my daughter’s second birthday. I had decided to celebrate at home to save money and hoped Ethan would spend more time with her.
Instead, I received nothing but insults. I clutched my trembling daughter in my arms.
Then I caught Ethan’s gaze, fixed on his childhood friend. The way they looked at each other pierced straight through me.
“Since you all think I’m not good enough for Ethan, that I’m nothing but a slut, then convince him to divorce me.” My voice was steady. I would not back down.
I lifted my phone, ready to threaten Ethan. If he refused, I’d expose the truth about what he did to that body.
No one in the room dared speak, after all, destroying a marriage is considered a grave moral crime.
For years, I’d been the perfect image of a virtuous wife, a devoted mother and a dutiful daughter-in-law.
Ethan gripped my shoulders. “Ariana, that’s enough. Let’s talk about this behind closed doors. Don’t make a scene here.”
I shoved him away and slapped him across the face. “Get out. You disgust me.”
Seeing me strike her son, my mother-in-law lunged at me, clawing and shoving. “You worthless woman! Your husband is your whole world. Have you forgotten everything I taught you?”
Then Ethan’s so-called goddess, Selena Ashford, stepped forward, pretending to mediate. “Ariana, Ethan works day and night to give you and your daughter a good life.
“He just bought a new car and the interior is decorated with Doraemon, Emily’s favorite.”
“You can’t expect a man to earn money and still spend time with you. Wanting both is too greedy.”
Her tone was soft, but her words painted me as a selfish, grasping woman.
I laughed bitterly. “My daughter’s favorite is SpongeBob. The one who likes Doraemon is you.”
“And that new car? My daughter and I haven’t even ridden in it. You were the first.”
Selena flushed, her composure faltering. “Ethan is a man, it’s normal for him not to remember every detail. The fact that he thought of it at all makes him a good father.”
