This leverage might bend Cathrine to my will for now, but it wouldn't last forever.

I swayed once more. Perhaps the notion of avoiding divorce was a mistake. If I lingered too long in the fire pit, I would surely get burned if not consumed entirely.

I was already midway through my life, yet Xavier was just beginning his. He couldn't endure this hell alongside me.

"I want a divorce," I declared.

Predictably, Jeremy resisted.

"Yvonne, what nonsense is this? There's no way I'd agree to a divorce. There's no issue between us. Why the talk of divorce? Have you fallen for someone else?"

He even attempted to pin infidelity on me. I was astounded by his twisted logic.

"Don't you see who your mother truly is? If I remain with her any longer, I fear my life will be cut short. Especially now that she's brought home that mysterious child."

I was on the verge of breaking down. I couldn't allow Xavier and me to be dragged down by them.

"Do you honestly believe that child's origins are simple? I discovered your mother's affair. Did you know? That child is likely her illegitimate son, your half-brother. Do you believe this child won't become a burden to us? She can drag you down, but why should she drag me down, too?"

My words seemed to stun Jeremy into silence.

"Come back and sign the divorce papers," I demanded.

"Yvonne, do you really want a divorce? Do you think you'll get custody of Xavier?"

"Are you threatening me?"

I couldn't help but curse under my breath at his despicable tactics. He knew I would never relinquish custody of my son.

"Yvonne, can't we just make do with our lives like this?"

No, I refused to sit idly by, waiting for my demise.