Hearing this, everyone around exploded with anger, calling me worse than a loser, saying I had no responsibility and hadn’t even thought about living a proper life.
Amara lowered her head, wiping away tears, looking utterly pitiful. “Honey, I said I won’t work anymore. Please don’t divorce me, okay?”
She stepped forward, wrapped one delicate arm around me and whispered, “To make it up to you, I’ll cook for you every day and sleep with you.”
I felt a wave of disgust and pushed her away forcefully. “Can you stop pretending?”
Amara knelt down before me, holding our son, softly crying.
“Honey, I work overtime to earn money — it’s not a crime. I’ll change, just forgive me this once, please?”
“No!”
Amara cried uncontrollably. “Honey, I’ll change everything you don’t like. Please, just forgive me!”
Sensing the heavy atmosphere around him, my son puckered his little lips and started crying loudly.
“Amara, a man like that is narrow-minded and heartless—don’t waste your feelings on him!”
The crowd saw that I wouldn’t listen to reason and they all trembled with anger, fists clenched, as if they wanted to beat me to death right there.
Just then, my mother arrived after being notified. She spoke earnestly, “Zayden, Amara has done so much for this family. We were dirt poor and when your father broke his leg and was hospitalized, it was Amara who paid his medical bills.”
“She’s been so good to our family. If you dare to divorce her, I’ll disown you as my son!”
“Mom, don’t be fooled by her.”
I gave my mom a small smile, then turned to Amara. “Then tell me, why have you been working overtime for more than half a year without earning a single cent—and instead spent tens of thousands?”
At my words, a flicker of panic flashed in Amara’s eyes, but it quickly disappeared.
“I already told you, didn’t I? The project is still in the early stages. Once the product starts selling well, Sania will definitely pay me my salary.”
“If you don’t like me working overtime, then I’ll just stay home and take care of you and the child from now on.”
My mother looked relieved and continued to persuade me. “Amara is so understanding. Where could you ever find such a good wife?”
I shook my head. “Mom, stay out of it. No matter what, I’m getting a divorce.”
“Bastard!” My mother slapped me hard. Half my face was red and swollen from the pain.