I know you meant well for Charlie and me and my brother, being a man, just didn't understand our girl talk and overreacted."

My mother-in-law chimed in, "Exactly, my dear Whitney, everyone in the Perry Family knows your good intentions. It's just that silly boy who doesn't appreciate you. Listen to me, Bryan is too young to be without a mother!"

My son, who had been sulking in the corner, suddenly rushed over and hugged my leg, crying, "I don't want to be a kid without a mom! I'll get bullied by other kids!"

What a touching scene, full of loyalty and affection. If I hadn't overheard my mother-in-law's words before I entered, I might have believed it.

Just as I reached the door, I received a message on my phone. I stood at the corner to reply before going in, but I heard my mother-in-law's voice through the partially opened door, "Everyone, hold your tempers and put on a good act later. This divorce cannot happen!"

Brenda continued, "Since she hasn't been home, doing the cooking and cleaning has given me back pain. Ten years without doing chores and now it's killing me. Plus, her parents' shop, if they divorce and her parents die, she'll have sole ownership and Bryan won't get a penny!"

They were putting on this show of reluctance to lose me, but really, they didn't want to lose a free laborer and access to my parents' assets.

I sneered, "Don't think I don't know what you're up to. I have no money and you can't expect to take advantage of my parents either. You all know how much I've sacrificed for this family and how you've treated me. I'm determined to get this divorce."

Seeing my firm stance, they dropped the pretense. My son stood up first, hands on his hips and shouted at me, "You heartless woman, you're not fit to be my mom!"

My mother-in-law echoed, "Yes, I've never seen a woman who abandons her own child in my life. You're truly wicked!"

"What did our Perry Family do in a past life to deserve marrying someone like you? Fine, you can get a divorce, but give back the dowry our family gave you."

I've heard of people demanding back the dowry after an engagement breaks off, but never after ten years of marriage and a child. What a scheme to get something for nothing.

I looked at Brandon, who had remained silent throughout. Since I walked in, he sat on the armchair next to the sofa, his eyes closed, listening to music as if none of this concerned him.