The Artpiece that Destroyed My Marriage

“Charles, have you already forgotten the vows you made at our wedding? You said no matter what happened, you’d always be by my side. It’s only been a few years—how could you change so fast?”

“Our daughter is just a few months old. How can you walk away now and let her grow up without a father? How can your heart be this cold, Charles?”

Tiana’s eyes were bloodshot and fat tears rolled down her cheeks. “If we get divorced, what am I supposed to do? What about our daughter?”

I let out a cold laugh, staring at her with no interest. “Not my problem.”

Her expression collapsed in heartbreak. She bit her lip and hissed through her teeth, “Fine. If you’re really this heartless… Maybe I’ll just take our daughter and end it all.”

Then, right in front of me, she picked up the baby and ran toward the balcony.

I didn’t move.

I knew she was bluffing. She wasn’t going to jump. She’d once told someone else—she and the baby couldn’t live without someone.

And that someone was never me.

Sure enough, she just stood there on the balcony, frozen and awkward, holding the baby while the rain poured down.

“Charles, why are you so cruel?!” she yelled. “You want a divorce? Fine! Let’s get it over with!”

Soaked by the storm, she stormed back inside, clutching the baby to her chest.

Moments later, the door was kicked open.

Eddie barged in while shouting from the moment he entered. “Charles, you’re a real piece of work. Have you forgotten what she did for you after your car accident?

"You were in a coma for weeks. It was Tia who stayed by your side every single day, taking care of you like a saint.”

“And now you’re divorcing her? Do you even have shame?”

Eddie knew I had a reputation for loyalty and integrity. He thought my silence meant I was second-guessing myself—remembering the past.

He thought I’d back down, but I stared at him instead.

“If she were the one in a coma, I’d have taken care of her, too,” I said. “But that doesn’t change the fact—I still want a divorce.”

***

Three days later, Tiana finally signed the divorce papers—furious, but she signed them.

She gave me a condition: I leave the marriage with nothing.

At that, I laughed dryly. “On what grounds? You’re the one who crossed the line. If anyone should be walking away with nothing, it’s you.”

My mother-in-law’s chest heaved with rage. She stormed up and jabbed a finger in my face.

“You’ve got some nerve saying that. What the hell did my daughter even do? All she did was paint! You’re a greedy, disgusting man. What’s next—gonna ask for the bride price back too?”

My father-in-law’s face turned red with fury. “You ungrateful bastard. Don’t forget who gave you everything you have today. You were a nobody when we met you—flat broke!”

“And now look at you—sitting pretty, turning your back on my daughter, cheating on her and then daring to demand she leaves with nothing? You want the press to come see how ridiculous this is?!”

That’s when my best buddy Alex finally spoke up from behind me. “You’re all missing something. Chaz isn’t that kind of guy. There’s more to this than you know.”

But I couldn’t be bothered to explain anymore. “If Tiana won’t leave the marriage empty-handed, fine. Then we’ll see each other in court.”

I walked away. Upon reaching the door, the nanny hurried after me, holding my daughter in her arms.

“Mr. Owen,” she pleaded, “she’s still your own flesh and blood. Please, don't be so heartless... You’re not even paying child support—are you really going to leave them with nothing?”

I didn’t say a word. Didn’t even glance back.

Just walked past her and out the door.