As I spoke, I took out the divorce agreement I had just prepared. Its terms offered a fair and reasonable division for Dwayne.
Only then did he realize I was serious. His temper flared as he glared at me, saying, "Didn’t I just spend some money on you? I’ve already paid it back! I’ve already explained why I didn’t go to the hospital. What are you still fussing about?"
"Annie is just a girl—she couldn’t handle those things on her own. I only went to help! If you insist on holding on to this, then I don’t know what else to do!"
Annie appeared again, looking fragile and innocent, as if I were the one who had caused all the problems.
I repeated firmly, my tone resolute, "Dwayne, I want to divorce you."
Dwayne’s face darkened further, and finally, resorting to his usual tactic, he stormed out of the house.
Whenever Dwayne faces a situation he can’t resolve, he isolates himself—and me—even knowing I’m still pregnant. This time was no different.
Before leaving the house, he fixed me with a cold, piercing stare and warned:
"Don’t even think about doing anything to harm the child. Let me tell you, even if we divorce, the child must be raised by me!"
The sound of the door slamming shut echoed dully.
With my frail body, I forced myself to stand, walked over to the trash can, retrieved the crumpled report sheet, and carefully smoothed it out, as though trying to piece together my shattered heart.
From the moment Dwayne returned to the moment he left, he never once asked about my abdominal pain or the condition of our unborn child. Not a word about the dozens of missed calls I had made.
All he cared about was whether I was taking the medicine as he demanded.
I sat alone in the vast, empty living room, my eyes reddened once more.
Dwayne, you’ve lost the chance to be a father.
And with it, you’ve lost me, too.
The next day, Dwayne called again, urging me to take the anti-fetal medicine on time.
After a sleepless night, I steadied my emotions and replied calmly, "I’ll be waiting for you when you come back—for the divorce."
On the other end of the phone came Dwayne's almost roaring rebuke, "How long are you going to make trouble? I’m exhausted and don’t have time for your nonsense!"