The moment he said that, everyone thought it was reasonable.
“That’s enough. This young man is sincere and responsible. He works hard for his family. Where else would you find a man like this?”
“Exactly, girl. He’s promised to come home two hours earlier. Even if you have needs, that should be enough.”
“Honestly, even the wildest woman would be satisfied with that.”
But I still shook my head. “No. Either you stop delivering food, or we get divorced!”
Everyone gasped, thinking I was unreasonable.
“She’s crazy! Does she need her husband by her side all night?”
“Never seen such a woman.”
“Her husband works so hard, and she despises him? My man wouldn’t even feed the dog after work.”
“Right! Mine too. All he does is eat and sleep, both ends of the day.”
“How can she complain when her husband is this hardworking? I’d envy her if it were me.”
“She won’t accept him unless he quits his job? Ridiculous.”
The neighbors’ chatter nearly drowned me in insults.
But I stood my ground.
“No. I want a divorce! Tomorrow morning, meet me at the County Clerk’s Office. If you don’t show, bear the consequences!”
I stared at Jason with eyes that saw through him.
His eyes turned red as he knelt, begging:
“Rachel, at least tell me what I did wrong. Why do you want a divorce? You can’t just ask for it out of nowhere!”
“I deliver food for you and our child, for this family. Why must you divorce me?”
He wrapped himself around my legs, refusing to let me leave, crying desperately.
“Let go. It’s disgusting! I’m done with you, can’t you see?”
He clung to me like a pathetic dog, but I still wanted a divorce.
I yanked my leg free, disgusted as his tears and snot smeared my pants. I wiped it off with a tissue and tossed it to the ground.
A young college girl nearby couldn’t stand it any longer. She shoved me down and pulled Jason up.
“We’re all neighbors. I can’t watch you treat a loving, responsible man like this.”
“Jason works food delivery until 2 a.m., then gets up at 8 a.m. for his day job. We’ve all seen his hard work. Meanwhile, you stay home with the kid and do nothing else.”
“If you can’t appreciate his effort, fine. But to pour cold water on him and demand divorce? Do you even have a heart?”
The college student was furious, standing up for Jason.
I sneered at her. “What, are you sleeping with my husband? Is that why you’re defending him?”
“If you feel sorry for him, then after I divorce him, you can have him. Isn’t that the perfect solution?”
My words struck her deeply. She shook her head and slapped me hard.
“Insult me again, and it won’t just be one slap.”
The neighbors murmured disapprovingly.
“This woman is insane, accusing everyone she sees.”
“She slanders her husband, demands divorce, and now bullies a kindhearted college girl? We’d better stay away.”
“Exactly. She’s trouble. Whoever gets involved will regret it.”
But Jason stood up quickly and grabbed the girl’s wrist, saying:
