When Love Turns to Ash

Peter looked surprised. "What's wrong, Kate? Did you argue with Tobias?"

"No. He just mentioned divorce," Kate said resentfully, "All because of that bracelet you gave me."

Peter turned his gaze to me, his eyes full of meaning.

"I'm sorry, Tobias. I originally bought that bracelet for my girlfriend.

"But she broke up with me the day before yesterday. Since I had already bought it, I didn't want to waste it, so I gave it to Kate.

"I didn't expect it to cause trouble for you. I'm really sorry."

Looking at his "sincere" face, I showed no expression and turned to leave.

"Hey, Tobias, I'm telling the truth. Don't misunderstand!"

"Enough, Peter. Tobias won't listen right now. Let him be."

...

In the following days, Kate ignored me.

She didn't speak to me proactively. Every time I brought up divorce, she only responded with rolled eyes and indifference.

Over the years of our marriage, we had cold wars a few times due to conflicts.

Under my mother's persuasion, I always chose to compromise, thinking of various ways to please Kate, and then we would reconcile.

This time, my mother is no longer around.

And I have no intention of going back to my old ways of being a pushover. I'm determined to divorce her.

One afternoon, while I was working, the female supervisor came over and asked me to help move some things in Peter's office.

Peter got promoted to general manager after his business trip. His new office happens to be next to Kate's.

The female supervisor was recruited by Peter and was a real sycophant, often giving me a hard time over trivial matters.

I refused, saying I had a back injury and couldn't do heavy lifting.

Her face immediately darkened. "Tobias, I'm ordering you, not asking you.

"A grown man can't even move a few things? Who are you fooling?

"I think you're just being lazy!"

Her voice was loud, drawing the attention of everyone in the office, and whispers began to fill the air.

"What's wrong with Tobias? He's usually so compliant, but now he's standing up to the supervisor?"

"Maybe he's just in a bad mood today."

"It's hard to find a job these days, isn't he afraid of getting fired?"

"He's been with the company for years, he's a seasoned hand and doesn't fear anything."

The female supervisor slammed the table. "Tobias, I see your stubbornness. You're even daring to defy your superior, huh? Do you believe I can deduct all your bonuses this month?"

"Go ahead and deduct them, or, better yet, fire me."

"You think I don't dare?"

I pushed the keyboard away, stood up, and grabbed my bag to leave.

The female supervisor was stunned for two seconds before chasing after me in a rage.

"Tobias, stop right there!"

She grabbed my bag forcefully, and off guard, I stumbled, hitting my back hard against the corner of the table.

A sharp pain shot through me, and my vision darkened. I almost passed out.

Just then, Kate and Peter happened to pass by.

"What's going on here? Why is there such a commotion? Don't you all have work to do?"

As she spoke, Kate didn't even glance at me.

The female supervisor immediately bowed and scraped, explaining. "Ms. Walsh, Tobias was disobeying work orders, causing a disturbance.

"Don't worry, I will discipline him properly."

Peter pretended to ask, "Ms. Lewis, what task did you assign to him?"

"Just to help move some things, but he refused. I said a few words to him, and he started throwing a fit."

Kate finally looked at me, coldly asking, "Tobias, you're making a scene over such a small matter?"