“Jackson, is this all you ever think about?”
Yessenia’s voice cracked, raw with frustration.
“Our son has been with us for a year. How many times have you changed his diaper? Do you even know how often he drinks formula? Do you care at all?”
The room went quiet, then the judgment came, swift and sharp.
“You walk around acting like some respectable man, but you can’t even handle basic fatherhood. Pathetic.”
“He made such a fuss about wanting a son, like he had some kingdom to pass down. Now look, he won’t even lift a finger for his own kid.”
“No wonder Yessenia is depressed. If I had a husband like that, I’d lose the will to live too.”
I raised my head slowly, eyes scanning each of them before letting out a cold laugh. “Say whatever you want. Yessenia, tomorrow morning, we're getting a divorce.”
“So you admit it?” Yestin lunged forward, fist pulled back. “You bastard. You don’t deserve her. I should beat the crap out of you!”
I didn’t move. Just stared at him.
“Stop!” Yessenia’s scream cut through the tension.
She rushed forward, shielding me with her arms. “He was in a car accident not long ago. He can’t fight back. If you hurt him… it would break my heart!”
The fist froze in mid-air.
Then, Yestin's smile turned bleak. "Jackson, did you see how much Yessenia loves you? The moment she saw someone about to hit you, she rushed over without thinking. It was instinct.
"You're in a wheelchair now and still, she never once looked down on you. So what right do you have to complain?
"I'm asking you one last time, are you really sure you want a divorce?"
“Divorce.” I turned to Yessenia, my expression flat.
Tears welled in her eyes as she grabbed my arm and whispered, “Jackson… I know I’ve neglected you this past year. It’s my fault. I’ll make it right. I’ll change, I promise.”
I sneered and shoved her hand away. “Save the act. Just get out of my sight. Divorce is happening, whether you like it or not.”
I turned my wheelchair, ready to leave. Then suddenly, someone dropped to their knees in front of me.
Yessenia, sobbing, shoved her hand into the spokes of my wheelchair. If I rolled forward, she’d be hurt.
I frowned. “Move your hand.”
She shook her head through her tears. “Jackson, I’m begging you. Please, can’t we just talk? Don’t do this here, in front of everyone... My family will worry.”
"You’re upset about me sleeping in the closet every night?" Yessenia cried, her voice trembling with emotion. "Fine, if you don’t like it, I’ll sleep with you! I’ll sleep in your bed from now on, even if I can’t fall asleep..."
After her tearful promise, the crowd around us began pointing and whispering.
"Such a coward."
"He’s making a fuss over something so small. Whoever marries him is doomed."
"Poor Yessenia. Look at what she puts up with. If the kid wasn’t so young, they’d be divorced by now."
To them, I was already the villain. Judging by their eyes, they looked ready to skin me alive.
I sneered. “Then why don’t you tell them, tell everyone, why you’re really sleeping in the closet?”
