After My Husband Left for a Rich Woman

"Clara... let me explain, it's not what you think!"

Ford reached out to grab me, and I felt a wave of goosebumps; I didn't want him to touch me at all.

"Get away from me! Don't touch me! You disgusting jerk!"

I lost control and stood up, smashing the vase on the floor.

The glass shattered, just like my remaining sanity and dignity.

"Do you think I wanted this?"

My outburst only fueled Ford's own rising anger.

In over ten years of knowing him, I had never seen him like this.

"Clara Shaw, do you think I wanted this? I'm being forced into it; I'm practically being driven to my death!"

He kicked a chair, overturned a table, and then crouched down, holding his head.

"I'm being driven to my death! You have no idea what my family situation is! To afford the down payment on this house, I sold my parents' home and the land back in my hometown. My mother is almost seventy, living alone in a cramped apartment. I have nearly twenty thousand in mortgage and car loans every month. I work during the day, drive for rideshare at night, and take side jobs on weekends. I can't even afford the three-dollar meat dish in the cafeteria! Do you think this is easy for me?"

I was shaking with anger at Ford. I had imagined countless scenarios, even if he had said he was tired of me or just wanted something new. Even if he had said that any woman who cared for him a little more than I did would suffice.

"So you feel wronged? So you cheat? You sleep with an older woman to relieve stress, don't you? Ford, you're the most shameless person!"

"Me shameless? Clara, who's really shameless here? Look at your mother and brother; they would chew my bones if they could! They want to add your name to the house, and for the first three months, the car was for your brother. He crashed it and fled the scene; the insurance won't cover it, and I have to pay out of pocket for thousands! Plus, that huge dowry you expect? Where do you expect me to get that? Steal? Rob? Sell my kidney? You want to know why I'm with Sophia? I'll tell you straight up, Clara. Because she has money, and she pays me for my time! What about you?"

"What did you say?"

Tears streamed down my face, but my vision was becoming clearer. My heart stopped, yet my mind sharpened.

"You're with that woman..."

"I'm being kept, Clara. Yes, just like you think. Sophia pays me; I'm at her beck and call. Whatever she wants, I have to do. If she wants company, I'm there; if she wants to sleep, I'm there; if she wants to take pictures, I'm there; if she wants to play, I'm there. I had to marry you, and I needed the money; I've been with Sophia for three years! Are you satisfied now?"

With a loud slap, I struck Ford across the face.

"You're utterly shameless! If you were short on money, why didn't you tell me? You never said a word but chose to disgust me and get back at me this way. Are you even a man?"

"I'm not a man, okay?"

Ford wiped his cheek and then pushed me hard, making me stumble.

My palm was cut by the glass, but I didn't feel the pain.

Realizing what he'd done, Ford rushed toward me, "Clara! Clara, are you okay? Let me see where you're hurt!"

"Get away! Don't touch me!"

I pushed him away, gritting my teeth as I struggled to stand up. "I think you're filthy."

"I think I'm filthy too..."

Ford said with red eyes, "Clara, if you want a divorce, I agree. But for the sake of our marriage, you can't just ignore what I'm owed."

"Don't worry, Ford. We'll sort out how much you're owed today!"

I used to think my mother and brother were being unreasonable, but now I see that a man like him is simply not worth it!

I fell ill and had a fever for three days.

When I woke up in a daze, Ford was sitting by my bed.

His eyes were bloodshot, and his expression was numb and stiff. His unshaven beard looked like it hadn't been trimmed for days.

Thinking of the care and tenderness he once showed me made my nose tingle.

"Have you packed your things?"

I asked, my voice choked.

He nodded, "I made a list."

Saying this, Ford handed me an A4 sheet of paper.

I glanced at it; it clearly listed all our assets before and after marriage.

"Clara."

Ford ran his fingers through his hair, "Actually, if you could forgive me, I could tell Sophia not to contact me anymore..."

I scoffed, but tears rolled down my cheeks, "Ford, if you were a man, you wouldn't say such nonsense. At this point, do you really think we can be together again?"

"Clara..."

"Divorce."

I swallowed my sobs, speaking firmly.

I pointed at the list Ford made for me, item by item. "The house was your down payment, and we both pay for it. If you want to sell it, list it, and we'll split it proportionally. The car is yours; it's depreciated, and I won't drive it, so take it. The savings are under twenty thousand; we'll split that too. As for the dowry of eighty-eight thousand, that was for wedding expenses. You wouldn't dare ask me for that, would you?"

However, Ford countered, "That's not a dowry; it's a loan. Before we got married, your mom suddenly borrowed three hundred thousand from me. I couldn't come up with it, and she threatened to hide your household registration. Later, that money was given to me by Sophia..."

"My mom borrowed three hundred thousand from you?"

I was utterly shocked.

Ford insisted, "Yes. All these years, she never mentioned it, and I didn't have the heart to ask. So if you insist on divorcing, you need to help me get that money back first."