Yeah, Totally About the Reward Card

Monica froze. "Raelyn, divorce isn't a joke. If Adrian screwed up, just say so—we'll fix it. But tossing around the D-word? That's serious."

I set my fork down. "Not a joke. I'm done. No feelings left, no time to waste. Don't try to fix it—I'm out."

Adrian's voice cracked, eyes red. "Babe, what did I do? I know you still love me. Just tell me. If it's about money, I swear—I won't touch another cent."

At "money," his parents' faces went dark.

Then Sarah—his brother's widow—jumped in, all smiles. "Don't be upset, Donald, Monica. Some things are hard to say in front of everyone. Let me talk to her."

She pulled me into her room and locked the door.

"Raelyn, seriously—what's going on?" she asked, all soft eyes. "You wouldn't act like this for nothing. You okay?"

We'd always been chill. Surface-level nice. She never remarried after Derek died, just stayed with the in-laws. Whenever I hit the mall or needed spa company, I'd invite her.

I was still debating whether to tell her anything when something by the balcony caught my eye.

A love toy.

Too real. Condom still on. Slightly... glistening.

Her face turned tomato red as she noticed. She lunged to hide it in her nightstand—and dropped a half-full box of condoms right at my feet.

She scrambled to scoop them up. "Please don't get the wrong idea. Derek passed so young. I haven't moved on. Not seeing anyone, but I've still got needs."

Awkward laugh. "It's a hygiene thing. Better brand, you know? Please don't tell Donald and Monica—I don't want them thinking I'm sneaking around or being gross."

I just stared. Couldn't get a word out.

Then I said, "Cool. Let's go."

She grabbed my hand. "Wait—what's the real reason? You're really ending this?"

I looked her dead in the eye. "Yeah. I am."

Back in the living room, the guilt parade was in full swing.

Donald threw his hands up. "How'd our son marry someone this dramatic? All this over vitamin money? We treated you fine. You said career first—we didn't even nag you about kids for five years!"

Monica chimed in. "You're gone half the month on work trips. Adrian handles his job, the house, both families—never complains.

"Every paycheck goes into your joint account. You don't care about his health, and now you're leaving him over some vitamins?

"How can a wife be this heartless?"

Adrian broke. Lips trembling, he dropped to the floor, begging. "I'm sorry, babe. Is it the heart vitamins? Too pricey? You scared I'll get sicker, be a burden? Is that why?

"I'll do better. I'll take care of myself. I won't hold you back. Just... don't leave me."

Tears streamed as he clung to my hand.

Sarah blinked. "Seriously? You're dumping him over vitamins? Don't care about his health—fine. But now he's a burden?"