The Watch That Ended Us

On Valentine's Day, my wife gave her late sister's widower a fifty-two-thousand-dollar Rolex.

"Marcus, my sister may be gone, but that does not mean you should go without the things other men have."

Marcus took the watch with barely hidden excitement.

"From now on, my son and I will depend on you."

My wife thumped her chest and promised she would be his and his son's support from now on.

I watched the two of them cling to each other and said calmly, "Ines Sutherland, I want a divorce."

She frowned at me.

"It is just a watch. What are you jealous about this time?"

I smiled faintly and handed over the divorce agreement.

"Sign it. Then you can take care of Marcus with a clear conscience."

Ines Sutherland's gaze moved from the divorce agreement on the table to me. Her voice was full of impatience.

"Arthur Weber, stop being unreasonable. My sister is gone. Taking care of Marcus is the proper thing to do."

Marcus Pierce panicked and pushed the gold watch back toward Ines.

"Ines, take the watch back. Do not let me cause trouble between you and Arthur."

As he spoke, he covered his face and began to cry.

"I just have a miserable life. Your sister died too early. I deserve to be alone forever..."

Ines raised a hand and wrapped it around Marcus's shoulder, comforting him.

"Marcus, do not say that. We are family. From now on, I will be the person you can rely on.

"If I have to, I will accept Mom's suggestion. I can split my time between both homes. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays with you. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays with Arthur."

My heart jolted. I stared at Ines in disbelief.

Marcus leaned smoothly against her shoulder, a flash of triumph passing through his eyes.

"Is that really all right? What if Arthur is not willing?"

Ines deliberately looked at me.

"Then he can blame himself for not knowing how good he has it.

"A month ago, I gave him a six-figure gold bar. Now I have only given you one watch, and he dares to threaten me with divorce. If I indulge him any longer, he will think he owns the sky."

Marcus put on a gentle, reasonable expression and tried to advise me.

"Arthur, this is where you are wrong. We are both men who married into stronger families. What our wives say is what matters most.

"If your sister were still alive, I would obey every word she said."

Ines lifted her chin, speaking as if she were granting me mercy.

"Did you hear that, Arthur? Learn to be grateful. Apologize to me and Marcus right now, and I will consider withdrawing the suggestion about splitting my time between both homes. Otherwise..."

Her hand slid down and settled around Marcus's waist. Their bodies pressed tightly together.

It felt as if a hole had opened in my chest. My voice came out numb.

"Sign this divorce agreement. After that, whether you want to split your time with him or marry him outright is none of my business."

Ines's expression froze. She tore the divorce agreement in half and threw it on the floor.

"If I really signed this, you would come crying and begging me to take you back.

"Today is Valentine's Day. I am taking Marcus out to celebrate. Stay here and calm down."

With that, she wrapped her arm around Marcus and walked out.

I listened as the sound of the car faded downstairs.

Then I crouched down, picked up the two torn halves of the divorce agreement, and let the tears fall from my eyes.

I had cut ties with my parents for her. I had left my home and moved to her city. The love I once believed in now felt ridiculous.

After a long while, when my grief and anger finally drained out, I wiped my face and called my parents.

"Dad, Mom, I regret it.

"You were right. Ines Sutherland was never the right person for me. I want to come home."