I Divorced My Husband After Prison Release

On her father’s birthday, Mina Long waited on pins and needles for a call from Hunter Perry and Vincenzo. When it never came, she dialed—only for the call to be declined before it could ring twice. She stared at her phone until the screen blurred, then finally grabbed the gift and flagged down a cab to her parents’ house.

The moment she stepped inside, her mother’s voice sliced through the air, dripping with sarcasm. “Oh, look who finally decided to join us! We invite you, but you’re too busy to come—like we’re nobody?”

Her mother’s gaze snagged on the injuries on Mina’s hand and legs, and for a split second, something in her face softened.

“Malani says you’re practically healed. Who exactly are you trying to fool?” Her tone was dismissive, and the words landed like a slap. Mina’s heart ached.

Her mother had once been kind to her. Then Malani Castillo came back, and everything changed. Her parents were bitter over the life their biological daughter had missed, but they couldn’t simply cast Mina out—not without bruising the family’s reputation.

So Mina had spent years tiptoeing around that house, until Hunter Perry’s arrival felt like salvation. But the rescue she’d prayed for only dragged her deeper into despair.

“The truth is, I can’t hold a scalpel anymore. I can’t dance either. Those are the consequences.” Mina’s voice trembled as she watched her mother’s face.

Her mother’s discomfort flickered, but she pressed on. “You were never as good a dancer as Malani, anyway. One accomplished dancer in the family is plenty.”

Something in Mina went colder. How much did her parents know about the crime she’d been blamed for? How deeply were they involved?

She stood there quietly, pale and fragile.

“Cat got your tongue?” her mother snapped, temper rising. “We raised you all these years, and this is the thanks we get?”

“Enough!” Her father’s voice cut through the room as he came down the stairs, brow furrowed. “What is this? Bickering like children?”

He lowered himself onto the sofa. When he saw Mina alone, his expression turned to stone. “Hunter and Vincenzo aren’t here?”

The shift in him was impossible to miss. Mina’s smile went stiff.

“Something came up. They couldn’t make it.”

Her father’s face soured as he looked her up and down. “Then what good are you? Married all these years and you’ve brought this family nothing.”

“We raised an ungrateful daughter,” her mother added, voice dripping acid.

Their words sliced through Mina, leaving her hollow. She sat still, hands clenched tight in her lap, letting every criticism land. Once, she’d been foolish enough to ache for their affection. Now she understood: to them, she was just a tool.

“Mom! Dad! I’m here!” Malani’s bright voice rang through the room. Mina turned just in time to see her throw herself into their mother’s arms.

Their mother’s face lit up. She ran a hand affectionately over Malani’s hair. “My sweet girl. Did you miss me? Why are you late today?”

Watching them, something bitter surged up Mina’s throat. Once, her mother had looked at her like that. Then Malani returned, and that version of her mother disappeared.

For reasons Mina still didn’t understand, she had once fought tooth and nail for their affection. She’d sold nearly every piece of jewelry she owned to buy her mother an emerald set. Her mother had looked at it with disdain. “No matter how expensive, it still isn’t what Malani gives me.” Then she’d broken the emeralds, piece by piece.

Now, Mina felt nothing at all.

Malani giggled and pointed toward the door. “I brought someone with me!”

Vincenzo and Hunter walked in. Vincenzo bounded straight to his grandfather, beaming. “Happy birthday, Grandpa!”

“Good, good.” Her father’s sour mood vanished. His face lit up as he fussed over Vincenzo, practically glowing with pride.

From the sofa, Mina watched them fall into easy laughter. Her son. Her husband. And yet she sat there like an outsider looking in.

Something twisted inside her. She’d thought Hunter wasn’t coming today. The truth was simpler: he just hadn’t wanted to arrive with her.

Vincenzo handed his grandfather a gift, grinning. “This is for you. Malani and I picked it out together.”

Her father’s sternness melted. He patted Vincenzo’s head with a smile. “Our Vincenzo is quite the charmer. Thank goodness he didn’t take after your mother.”

Vincenzo tilted his head, thinking it over. “Mom’s so clumsy. I don’t want to inherit that. I got my smarts from Dad.”

He paused, then added, “Malani’s taught me a lot too.”

Malani stuck out her tongue and glanced at Mina. “Kids say whatever comes to mind. Don’t take it to heart, Mina, okay?”

Mina smiled, all sarcasm. “None taken. I am indeed foolish.”

Foolish enough to believe the lies of that father-son duo. Foolish enough to trust their deceit.

Her mother’s irritation bubbled over. “All right, let’s go to the dining room.”

She turned to Malani, warmth flooding back into her face, and playfully tapped her nose. “Your favorite pulled pork is waiting.”

Then, with a dismissive glance at Mina, she added in a condescending tone, “You might as well come too.”

Mina kept her face blank. At first, she’d tried to keep the peace—surface-level, at least. But if this was how they wanted to play it, she was done enduring. Before she left, she would cut ties with them for good.

Hunter Perry took in the family’s coldness, then glanced at Mina. His frown deepened. She stood there, untouched by their indifference, her eyes meeting his without a flicker.

Her cold stare hit him like a wall. Something hollow opened in his chest, and his brow knit. Why was she being so stubborn? Didn’t she understand she needed to make amends?

“If you weren’t so headstrong…” Hunter began, his voice low and distant, reaching for her hand. “This is why they’re upset.”

Mina met his eyes, irony glinting in hers. “Is that what you think?”

All these years, he’d watched her family treat her like a stranger. He knew every grievance she carried, and still he urged her to tolerate it. To endure. Maybe her pain had never mattered to him. Maybe he just liked bringing her home so he could see Malani.

She brushed his hand away and limped toward the dining room. “Save your concern for Malani.”

The family gathered around the table, every eye on Malani. Then a voice cut in from behind them. “What? No one waited for me?”