Ending Our Marriage Over a Plush Toy

"A live-in son-in-law asking for a divorce? Doesn’t even know how lucky he is—he’s dumber than a pig."

"So what if President Campbell likes cuddling a teddy bear to sleep? That’s not weird. I do it too!"

"He probably got bored of her after she gave birth and her figure changed a little. Wouldn’t be surprised if he’s keeping a harem of mistresses on the side."

The way they looked at me was full of disgust as though I were some vile criminal.

I hadn’t even opened my mouth to respond when a familiar voice rang out from behind.

“Enough! Who gave you permission to speak like that? Get back to work!”

It was Veronica.

Only then did the employees reluctantly scatter.

She walked up to me with a warm smile. “Honey,” she said, “I bought you a new watch. Try it on.”

From her bag, she took out a pristine wristwatch.

Gasps erupted around us.

"A Patek Philippe limited edition! Only three were ever made—rumor is, they were all snatched up by mysterious collectors!"

"President Campbell must’ve gone to great lengths to get her hands on this. She’s so thoughtful..."

Everyone looked on with admiration and envy.

But my response remained cold.

“I came to collect my family heirloom,” I said, stepping back. “You can save the watch—for your teddy bear.”

The words hit like ice water.

Veronica froze, stunned.

The crowd erupted again, only now with outrage.

“What an ungrateful bastard!”

“He doesn’t deserve anything good!”

I ignored every word and headed upstairs.

When my parents passed, they left me with only one thing—a pendant they said would ward off evil. I’d worn it around my neck ever since.

A while ago, Veronica had complained that her office felt eerie, that strange noises kept happening.

So I’d taken off the pendant and hung it in her office. From that day on, everything went quiet.

But now? She didn’t deserve to keep it.

As I entered her office, I saw Dariel playing with a little girl.

“President Miguel,” he greeted with a grin. “You’re finally back. Nothing matters more than a happy family. Come, take a look at your daughter.”

“She’s adorable—how could you bear to walk away from her?”

He walked over with the child in his arms.

“Move,” I said with a frown of pure disgust.

“She’s your daughter,” Dariel insisted, his voice rising. “You won’t even spare her a glance?”

“Get out of my way!” I shoved him aside impatiently and walked straight in to retrieve the pendant.

I turned.

Dariel and the girl had both fallen to the floor.

At that exact moment, Veronica walked in with several senior executives and saw everything.

She rushed to the child, checking her from head to toe. Only when she confirmed there were no injuries did she breathe a sigh of relief.

“What happened?” she asked, eyes darting between me and Dariel.

Dariel hung his head. “I just wanted President Miguel to look at his daughter, but he refused. He pushed me... I wasn’t steady on my feet, and I fell.”

What?

Before I could react, Veronica slapped me hard across the face.