"Besides, Joshua is my adopted brother. He was just trying to help me out, so he acted aggressively. Don't take it to heart." As she finished speaking, she tried to grab my hand.
"Get out!" I spat out coldly.
Cindy froze in place, her beautiful eyes reddening once more.
"I'm so sorry, Cindy, this is all my fault. I tried to help, but I only made things worse."
Joshua then looked at me. "Noah, it was all my mistake. Please don't be angry with Cindy. If you need to hit me or yell at me, just aim it all at me."
His selfless attitude and concern for the greater good made my in-laws admire him.
It also distressed Cindy, who quickly spoke to her in comfort, "You were helping me. How can I blame you?"
I, however, still refused to back down. Instead, I retorted, "Hit you? I'd rather not dirty my hands! Yell at you? I'd rather not waste my spit!"
My father-in-law's face immediately darkened and the fingers gripping his wine glass turned a pale blue. He was clearly suppressing his anger.
Cindy couldn't hold back her tears anymore. She looked at me and said aggrievedly, "Honey, we've been together for ten years, barely ever arguing and our life has always been so sweet."
"Just because of the custard pie, today you've actually gotten to this point. Do you really want me to kneel and beg you before you'll let it go?"
Her tear-stained face would make anyone feel sorry for her.
Yet, my attitude remained cold. "Even if you kneel and crack your head open, I still want a divorce."
Bang!
Charlie finally lost his temper. He slammed his fist on the table and stood up, roaring, "Noah! Do you really think our family needs you as a son-in-law? Apologize now and I'll let bygones be bygones. Otherwise, get out!"
Lucy chimed in, "If word of this gets out, you'll be the laughingstock wherever you go. Our whole family will be disgraced."
With that, the conversation reached its climax.
Cindy assumed I'd finally back down, but I gritted my teeth and insisted, "Sign the divorce papers! Cindy Swanson, you will leave with nothing! And compensates me 3 million dollars for emotional damages!"
Charlie's face quickly turned ashen. He grabbed a wine glass and hurled it at me, screaming, "Get out! Get the hell out! I don't have a son-in-law like you!"