If it wasn’t for the strong belief that family disgrace shouldn’t be aired in public, I would’ve wanted to turn the world upside down. In the end, Miranda did something. She tore up the divorce agreement, stormed over, grabbed my wrist and stared at me with bloodshot eyes.
"Anthony, you must explain yourself today! Why are you seeking a divorce? Are you seeing someone else?"
She actually had the nerve to ask if I was cheating.
The strength of her grip made me wince, so I couldn’t help but gasp.
I yanked my arm free and replied coldly, "It’s because just looking at you disgusts me! And your smell is even worse!"
That one sentence was enough to cause even more chaos. My mother-in-law quickly burst into tears, calling me an ungrateful son-in-law. Meanwhile, my sister-in-law pointed at me and called me a troublemaker. Even my usually quiet uncle shook his head and sighed.
"Anthony, you’re really going to ruin your relationship like this!"
Unfortunately for my family, they had no idea that my marriage to Miranda had been dead in name only ever since she got addicted to night fishing. The room was filled with voices, each accusation buzzing in my ears like a swarm of mosquitoes.
Nevertheless, I took out another copy of the divorce agreement and handed it to Miranda.
"If you want to separate peacefully, I’ll see you at the City Hall on Wednesday at 9:00 AM."
My firm stance eventually brought Miranda to tears.
She then stepped forward and clung to me tightly.
"Babe, please … just stop this, okay? It’s all my fault. I should’ve never gotten addicted to night fishing! If you really hate it, I can stop it. I’ll go back to being the loving wife you married, okay?"
Her tearful plea sparked another round of judgmental looks from everyone present. My friend, Ralph Anderson, who had appeared out of nowhere, also chimed in.
"Anthony, a man shouldn’t be so harsh. Miranda’s willing to give up her hobby for you. Can’t you just let it go? If you really go through with a divorce, how are you, a man with nothing left, going to find another woman who’ll be this devoted to you?"
Let them talk. I was done with this marriage. I turned to leave but saw Olive standing at the door, her face turning pale.
I didn’t know how much Olive had overheard or understood, but I reached for her hand and said, "Baby, come home with Daddy."
She suddenly refused, shaking her head with all her strength.