Early the next morning, I knocked on my mother-in-law’s door empty-handed.
When she saw that my hands were empty, her face darkened at once. She did not explode, but she walked aside with a cold expression and looked down at her phone.
Rachel stood beside the couch with a hair dryer in her hand. She was gently drying Daniel’s hair.
Her pale fingers moved through his dark hair while she focused on him with a soft expression.
They chatted and laughed like an intimate couple.
Rachel glanced at me, then looked away as if she had not seen anything. She kept chatting with Daniel.
Daniel gave me a smug smile, as if he were showing off. It seemed as if he wanted to indicate that my cherished wife was tending to him without complaint.
I watched coldly until my mother-in-law suddenly asked, “Sam, what do you think you are doing? It is your father-in-law’s birthday. No gift, no wired money, and you’re here to apologize?
“At the very least, you could have brought food. You prepared nothing, so why did you even come?”
Her expression was dark. She seemed close to throwing me out.
I felt it was ridiculous.
“He celebrates his birthday seven times a year. I only skipped one gift. Now, you’re scolding me?
“Some of us have never once given a gift. Or is this not about gifts? Is it just another way to siphon from me?”
As soon as I finished speaking, Rachel rushed toward me in anger.
“What do you mean by that? You are his son-in-law. It’s only natural for you to take care of him!”
I could not help but wonder if staying with her brother-in-law twenty-four hours a day was supposed to be natural too.
“So, you are accusing us of coveting your money?”
My mother-in-law stepped forward without backing down.
“Daniel hasn’t been well since the car accident. He cannot work, so how can he support us? If you don’t want to take responsibility, then Rachel can find a husband who will!”
I almost laughed.
In this family, other than Rachel and her late sister, who had ever worked a day in their life? Who paid for this huge apartment they were living in? Did they really have no idea?
Before, I would have rushed to explain and apologize. Today, I only watched them with a dark expression.
“Then, let’s get divorced.”
I looked at Rachel, and my tone was strangely relaxed.
“I already sent the divorce agreement to your email. Check it and sign it.”
Rachel stared at me in shock.
My mother-in-law froze. She was staring at me as well.
Daniel suddenly stood up, walked to Rachel, and grabbed her hand tightly.
“Sam, do you think anyone will want you after the divorce?”
He sneered.
“You should be clinging to Rachel. Instead, you dare to talk about divorce?”
His words were full of contempt, and every sentence sounded sharp.
Rachel did not pull her hand away. Instead, she lightly patted the back of his hand and comforted him softly.
“Don’t worry. I’m here,” she said.
Only then did she turn to me. Her eyes were full of disgust and impatience.
“Sam, you’ve gone too far! Daniel has PTSD. I am his psychologist. Treating him is my responsibility.
“My sister is gone. Do you know how much pain we went through? Are you causing trouble here because you’re angry at me? Do you want everyone to suffer with you?”
She showed no regret at all. In her mind, the problem was always my temper.
However, the reason was simple. I just did not want to endure it anymore.
“Treatment? What kind of psychologist stays on call twenty-four hours a day?
“What kind of sister dries her brother-in-law’s hair?
“Rachel, do you really think I’m stupid?”
My questions made her face change instantly. She clearly did not expect me to talk back in front of everyone.
Almost at the same moment, she grabbed her phone and threw it at me.
I stepped aside and avoided it.
She picked up a glass next and shouted, “Sam, how dare you insult me? If you don’t kneel and apologize to Daniel and me today, you can get out and never come back!”
I looked at her twisted, furious face. Then, I looked at Daniel’s smug yet fake hurt expression and my mother-in-law’s arrogant gaze. In the end, I let out a cold laugh.
“Apologize? Not on your life.”
After saying that, I ignored their shocked and furious looks, turned around, and slammed the door behind me.
