For two years of marriage, we felt more like strangers living under the same roof.
Jen got a punishment for losing a game at the team building event. She had to kiss the man sitting to her left for one minute.
That man was Wesley.
Without the slightest hesitation, she leaned in and kissed him.
I turned off my phone in frustration.
Jen was not being anti-social. She was just avoiding me.
She did not come home that night. By morning, her mother stormed into my house, yelling the moment she walked in.
"Where's Jen? Why isn't she answering my calls? Can't you get anything done? You don't even have a job anymore. You're just a freeloader—"
Bang!
I slammed my glass down on the table to cut her off.
"You want me to get things done? Fine. Start by giving me 1.5 million dollars. I'll need money for favors and connections. Since you've made it clear I'm living off your daughter, I obviously don't have any myself."
Her face twisted with anger as she scowled, "You can't come up with that kind of money? Just say so if you don't want to help. Honestly, your family was already declining when we agreed to this marriage. The Wagners don't have much left, do they?
"Also, keep your idiot son locked up! I've been cleaning up his messes countless times. He's in his twenties and still acts like a child!"
She stood up, fuming with her hands on her hips and her face red with rage.
I retorted, "Be thankful that I never get rid of you. Jen and I are getting divorced. Either you leave now, or I'll get someone to make you."
Her confidence faltered for a moment, perhaps shocked by how different I was acting.
Previously, I had tried to please her family. After all, they were Jen's family members.
However, there was no need for that anymore.
I called security to escort her out.
I had saved her family business from ruin when Jen and I first got married, so they treated me with respect.
However, after all the crisis had passed, their true colors showed. They felt that I was not good enough for Jen.
To them, marrying Jen was a win for me—a man who did not deserve her.
I could feel their disdain growing over time.
Not even five minutes passed before Jen called, screaming at me through the phone.
"Ryan, could you stop causing problems for me? Do you even know how busy I am? Just do whatever my mom asks, okay?"
I laughed bitterly and asked, "Busy with Wesley in bed?"
There was a pause on the other end before the line went dead.
I could not help but feel bewildered. I never thought her mother would show up at my house.
Not long after, my mom called.
"Did you have an argument with Jen recently? It's normal for couples to have disagreements. Divorce is not a solution."
A lump formed in my throat. I had invested so much money into Jen's company, focusing all my attention on her.
It had taken a toll on my own business, which my parents had spent their lives building.
I took a deep breath and said, "Mom, I really want a divorce."
There was a pause, and my dad took the phone. "Ryan, it's good you've finally come to your senses. The Wagners aren't meant to be humiliated."
He raised his voice deliberately, but soon, I heard Jen's mom screaming in the background.
Then, the call ended.
I rushed home, worried my parents would not be able to handle Jen's mom's outburst.
By the time I arrived, Jen's mom was already gone. My parents were sitting on the couch, chatting calmly.
They saw me and walked over.
My dad frowned. "Why didn't you bring your luggage back?"
My mom rolled her eyes at him and said, "Don't worry, Ryan. Leela Walter won't be causing any more trouble in this house."
