Mom Died Alone, and My Husband Knows How It Happened

"You can hate me all you want, but I've always treated your mom like my own," Brianna blabbered. "Please, no matter how upset you are, don't joke about her health like that!"

Noel came rushing in, immediately pulling her into his arms while glaring at me with frustration. "Cornelia, Rian cares so much about your mom. Why do you always make things difficult for her?"

"Care?!" I let out a bitter laugh, my hands shaking as I unlocked my phone. "This is what you call care?"

I shoved the phone at him, playing the security cam footage I'd found. Though the camera hadn't captured the scene, her words came through loud and clear.

"You useless old hag! Why don't you just die?! Your daughter is shameless just like you!"

The video continued, her voice sharp and unforgiving. "Eat! Go ahead! If you don't, I'll beat you to death!"

In the background, Mom's faint sobs begged for mercy.

But Brianna just mocked my mom even more and threatened her. "Don't you dare tell anyone unless you want Noel to hate your daughter even more? You see, your son-in-law loves me. Do you think he'll believe an old cripple like you over me?"

Each word cut deeper than the last, and my body shook with rage and despair.

If I hadn't stumbled upon this evidence, I might never have known what my mom endured in the past few months.

But Noel? He didn't even flinch as the footage ended. His expression darkened as he sighed, his disappointment directed squarely at me.

"Rian warned me this might happen. The moment we left for our trip, she said your jealousy would make you accuse her of hurting your mom. I didn't believe her then, but now? Cornelia, do you have no shame? Faking a video like this? Have you no conscience?"

Behind him, Brianna clung to him, peeking out to smirk at me. Her lips moved as she mouthed each word: Pathetic old hag.

My vision blurred with rage. Before I knew it, I'd slapped her across the face. "Say that again! I dare you!"

"Cornelia!" Noel immediately stepped in, shielding Brianna from me. His icy glare pierced through me. "Haven't you learned your lesson?! Do you want me to throw you and your mom out?! Apologize to Rian! Now!"

"I'm done with your threats!" My voice cracked, but I refused to back down. "Noel, I want a divorce!"

His expression froze, and the air in the room got thick with tension. For a moment, he looked like he couldn't believe my words. "What… did you just say?"

"I said I want a divorce," I repeated, my tone steady. "From now on, whoever you're with has nothing to do with me."

His face darkened. He stared at me, his disbelief quickly replaced by anger. "You're ending our marriage over something so trivial?!"

Trivial? Wow, Mom's suffering was really nothing but "trivial" to him.

I stared at the man I had shared my life with for three years, and suddenly, I felt like a fool.

Before I could respond, Cong Yuan started sobbing, clutching her cheek dramatically. "Nellie, it's all my fault! Please don't divorce Noel because of me—I don't need an apology. Just... just don't leave him, Nellie, please!"

"Rian, stop blaming yourself," Noel said, softening as he turned to comfort her. Then his gaze snapped back to me, hard and unforgiving. "What, you think you can scare me with divorce? Fine. Let's see how you and your mom survive without me!"

I didn't say another word. I grabbed my suitcase and headed for the door.

Behind me, a glass shattered at my feet as Noel's voice thundered after me. "If you walk out that door, don't think you can come crawling back! I won't forgive you!"

Brianna chimed in, her tone soft and pleading. "Nellie, think of Auntie. You and her wouldn't have survived these past two years without Noel. Don't be so stubborn—apologize, and we'll forget this ever happened."

Blood trickled down my leg where a shard of glass had cut me, but I barely felt it. I just kept walking straight out of that door.

Behind me, Noel's cold laugh echoed. "You really have the nerve, huh? Go ahead. Leave. But don't bother coming back once you walk out of that door. Even if you kneel and apologize, I won't give you another chance!"