Divorce: The Beginning of a New Life

Oliver told me to split all expenses equally before we got married.

I agreed because I was in love.

Later, the love faded. But he still wanted me to have a child.

I smiled and agreed.

Then, I calculated with him the expenses from pregnancy to postpartum recovery, including my lost wages.

These also need to be split equally.

Oh, and the child might not take his last name, Kensington.

That's another price.

***

When I dragged my exhausted body home, I smelled food coming from the kitchen.

But I knew it wasn't made for me.

A week ago, Mrs. Chloe Kensington came to stay with us. The first day she arrived, she accused me with a sarcastic tone, saying,

"Why don't you cook for Oliver? I've never seen a wife like you!"

I ignored her and put the food I made for her in the fridge for the next day's breakfast.

She cursed and tried to follow me into the bedroom.

I slammed the door and slammed her out.

The world is finally at peace.

When Oliver came home and explained to his mom that we split all expenses, she stopped criticizing me.

Then she started watching me the next day, afraid I might take advantage of her son.

Today, I worked late at the office, and Oliver and his mom had already eaten.

Honestly, I was so tired and hungry that I almost wanted to join them.

But I didn't. All I'd get were cold stares and a snide remark, "If you want to eat, pay up."

I didn't want to squeeze into the kitchen with them.

After throwing myself onto the bed in the bedroom, tears rolled down my face.

It didn't feel like a family.

Growing up in a family that favored boys, I never felt warmth, and I didn't expect to feel it after marriage, either.

At that moment, my stomach growled with hunger, and I knew I'd feel sick if I didn't eat.

I had no choice but to get up from the bed, exhausted.

As I drank a glass of water in the living room, I tried to ignore Chloe's stare.

I walked to the fridge to see what was left.

I discovered that half of the eggs I bought yesterday were gone.

Turning to the dining table, I saw Chloe still staring at me, and when I looked at her, she quickly looked away, pretending to be flustered.

There was only one bite of scrambled eggs with tomatoes left on the table.

I sighed.

I thought, "It happened again."

Oliver usually ate out in the evenings, but since his mom arrived, she cooked for him.

However, she never bought groceries, always using the ones I purchased.

The first time I mentioned it, Oliver got upset.

"Mom just came from the countryside. How could she buy groceries? She just used what you bought. I'll transfer you the money."

He looked at me like I was some mercenary woman, full of disappointment.

But until today, Oliver has not transferred a penny to me.

For the past few days, I tolerated it, thinking Chloe wouldn't stay long. I didn't mention it again.

But today, I couldn't hold back anymore.

"Oliver, can you transfer me the grocery money for the past few days?"

Oliver glanced at his mom, then impatiently took out his phone and transferred me ten dollars.

Ten dollars? Today's eggs alone cost more than that.

"Amelia, when did you become so stingy? Other women cook for their husband's mother. You not only don't cook but also keep asking for a few bucks for groceries. Your mind is set on money!"

Oliver threw down his forks, his tone sharp and piercing.

Looking at Oliver yelling at me, I couldn't recall what he was like when we first dated.

"Back then, Oliver was willing to take on a part-time job just to buy me a birthday gift.

In the hot summer, he wore a thick mascot costume to hand out flyers on the street.

I felt sorry for him and told him I didn't need a birthday gift. Just having him with me made me happy.

But he refused and insisted on finishing his part-time job.

When he handed me the gift, his eyes were bright, saying he couldn't let his little princess feel wronged.

He must have loved me then.

I loved him, too, so after three years of dating, I was thrilled when he proposed marriage, even though there was no formal proposal, just an ordinary dinner.

So when he suggested splitting expenses equally, I felt a bit uncomfortable but agreed immediately.

At that time, just thinking about getting married and having my own family made me so happy I couldn't sleep, overlooking Oliver's somewhat indifferent reaction.

Now, as I watched this scene, the more I saw, the more numb I felt.

It was as if another person inside me was coldly observing this scene.

There was no more disappointment because all my expectations had long since been worn away." I thought.