Beyond the Break: Healing and Moving On

Emma and Fiona stepped in quickly to diffuse the tension.

William sneered, pulling Diana closer as he remarked sarcastically, “Only the most useless men use divorce as a threat.”

Diana, embarrassed, turned to me with a stern look. “Grady, have I spoiled you too much? You’re just a live-in son-in-law, living off me. Have you forgotten those days when you begged me in tears not to leave you?”

I grabbed my phone and left without a word.

I wasn’t going to beg her anymore.

When William first returned from abroad, I had many arguments with Diana about their overly close “sibling-like” relationship.

Each time, Diana would say, “If you can’t handle it, then let’s divorce!”

Back then, I was still caught up in the illusion of love, apologizing to Diana again and again, begging for her forgiveness.

I had knelt at our doorstep, cried in the dead of night when no one was around, but Diana had turned my patience and love into reasons to trample all over me.

This time, I wasn’t going to back down.

I went home, packed my things, and moved into a small apartment I had bought before our marriage.

I had used my own money to buy it, and I remembered how Diana had argued with me when she found out about the purchase.

“Only an idiot would buy an apartment that small and out of the way. It’s embarrassing. You should’ve used that money to buy a car instead. It’d give me way more face.”

Later, my parents bought a top-of-the-line luxury car for her, and she was finally satisfied.

I was grateful that I didn’t listen to her back then.

This small apartment was my sanctuary, while the luxury car had become William’s exclusive ride.

By the time I finished moving, the sun had already risen.

Unable to sleep, I decided to get the divorce papers.

When I returned home, I was surprised to see Diana standing at the door. It was the first time she had ever come to find me on her own.

“Last night, I might have said some things that were too harsh, but you shouldn’t have treated my friends like that. Just go and apologize to William, and we can forget about this.”

As I was leaving last night, I heard William say, “A spoiled rich kid with more attitude than skill. Marrying a guy like that must be the worst luck ever.”

To outsiders, Diana painted me as a paranoid, jealous husband, but the truth was that she was the only one throwing tantrums in our marriage.

She would only show a polite and gentle side to others, but at home, she was impossible to please.

Adding a sprinkle of garlic to a dish could set her off, leading to a full-blown tirade about how useless I was, followed by her storming out.

“The one who needs to apologize is not me,” I said, handing Diana the divorce papers before opening the door to head inside.

Diana followed, hugging me tightly from behind. “Don’t be like this. I’ll apologize, alright?”

Her hands began to roam over my body. “I know I’ve neglected you lately, and you’re upset. Let’s have a baby, okay?”

I pushed her away and slapped her hard. “Don’t touch me! You disgust me!”

Her face turned red instantly, anger flashing in her eyes.

But before she could respond, I passed out.