9
391words
I didn't care—soon,we wouldn't be family.
She got right to the point."Lily,you want a divorce?A woman with a kid—life's tough out there."
I smiled calmly."You're mistaken.My salary's enough for me and my son.James,though,buried in debt and without a job—I won't let him anywhere near my child."
She said,"Oh,"and pressed on,"But won't your son miss having a father?"
I kept smiling."I'll give him the best education.He'll miss nothing.If there's nothing else you have to say,sign the papers.Or I'll see you in court."
James flinched,but his sister remained unfazed.
Of course—she'd never seen me as family.
I was just a cash cow they didn’t want to let go.
They couldn’t succeed, not this time, andJames would bear the consequences.
I nodded and left for work,eager to finish and join my son at my parents'.
As I left,I heard James and his sister arguing.
He shouted,"I'm broke!I've begged everyone I can.Why won't you pay a cent?"
Her reply was airy."No money?Get a job.Expect me to bail you out?I'm married—I belong to a different family now."
...
I shook my head,closing the door behind me,blocking their voices.
James didn't sign.
He turned to harassing me,promising me he'd change and work hard, and vowed that we won’t split costs ever again.
I rejected him every time.
So he targeted my parents.
Returning home,I saw him,teary,begging my mother."Mom,I know I treated Lily badly.I'll make it up.We have a son—he needs a dad!"
Furious he'd harass them,I was cut off by my mother's smile."I never liked you,but Lily did,so I accepted you."
"Now you've hurt her,you're no longer welcomed here.Leave."
"Our son will have all the love he needs."
Under her words and my father's glare,James fled.
Seeing this,tears welled up in my eyes.
My loved ones all stood by me.
With my friend's help,I sued James.
His cost-splitting proved there was no love loss in our marriage,and he'd failed to perform his duties.
He got only a small portion of our assets and had to pay me every month for child support.
The house and car were never his.
He had a week to move out.
He tried returning to his parents,only to be berated by his hospitalized mother."You're a grown man!I've got no room for you in my house.Go!"
