“The neighbor is a single mother. Martin’s just helping her because he feels sorry for her. Are you really that petty?”
“He didn’t want kids because he didn’t want to mess up your career. How come you don’t understand that he’s being considerate for your sake?”
The people around me accused me of being heartless. Still, I said nothing. I still handed the divorce papers back to Martin.
“This marriage needs to be over. I will not stand it anymore.”
My father arrived after hearing the news. He quickly slapped me hard across the face, which burned instantly. Holding my swollen cheek, I heard him yell furiously, “You ungrateful girl! How dare you divorce a man as good as Martin? I’ll beat some sense into you!”
“Martin has supported you for years so you could focus on your career. And now you want to leave him? Do you even know shame?”
My mother instantly put herself between her and my father, grabbing my hand and speaking softly but firmly, “Sophia, talk it out if you have problems. Don’t get a divorce. You’ll never find a husband this good again. If you’re divorcing because you’ve fallen for someone else, I won’t forgive you.”
I slowly raised my head. Not long after, I could taste blood in my mouth, while the crowd whispered all around me. Martin then stepped forward. He held me as if he cared deeply, tending to my injuries like the perfect husband everyone believed he was.
But only the two of us knew the truth behind our marriage.
He gently said, “Sophia, I know you might have feelings for someone else … but I’m the only one who truly cares about you.”
“We’ve been together since childhood, Sophia. We’ve been married for ten years! So, how could we get a divorce over something so small?”
“I never take even a second glance at other women out there. As long as you’re willing to come home, I won’t mind.”
With just a few words, Martin turned everyone’s attention to my supposed new lover. The situation turned to his favor again. All eyes glared at me like sharp knives. Again, my father slapped me hard.
“So that’s why you want a divorce? Because you’re having an affair? How could I have raised such a shameless daughter!”
“Sophia, you’re an ungrateful woman! Stop causing trouble. You’re going to make your father sick. Go home and live properly with Martin!”