I return home from my business trip that night.

The pharmacy I always go to calls to say that my membership card was used that afternoon, but the payment failed, and the account needs to be topped up.

I look over at my wife, Catherine Francis, who's focused on making dinner. I ask her what she bought.

She smiles and pulls out a box of supplements. "I've been staying up late working these past few days. My heart's been acting up a little, so I bought some heart supplements."

Seeing my expression go flat, she lets out a helpless sigh and takes a card out of her bag.

"I know you're particular about money. Since I accidentally used your membership card, I'll pay you back ten times. Okay?"

However, I don't take the card like I used to. I just look at her calmly and say, "Let's get a divorce."

A flash of confusion crossed Catherine Francis's face.

Then, she took my hand and gave a helpless smile. "What's wrong? Is this some punishment for losing a truth-or-dare game with your friends?

"I've never stopped you from hanging out with them, but this kind of over-the-top punishment is a little hurtful, honey."

Her pitiful, teary eyes met mine.

I pulled my hand back. "There's no dare. I'm serious."

A small crack appeared in Catherine's gentle expression, her brows drawing together.

She asked, "Not a truth-or-dare this time? What is it then? Did your best friend tell you I don't love you anymore because I was busy today and couldn't pick you up from the airport?

"Or is it because I didn't video-call you to say goodnight these past few days? I told you I was busy. Stop making a fuss, okay? I'll make it up to you tonight."

As she spoke, she leaned her head against my neck, rubbing lightly. Her warm breath stirred an intimate ripple in the air.

I shoved her away hard, fighting the nausea rising in my chest. "I said I want a divorce. Don't you get it?"

That shattered whatever flirtatious mood Catherine thought we had. Anger flashed in her eyes, then quickly softened as she tried to appease me.

"If those are not the reasons, what is it then? You can't seriously be divorcing me because I used your membership card and made you top it up? That's insane."

I stared at her expressionlessly and replied, "Yes, that's exactly why. Is that a problem? Spending even one cent on you makes me sick."

Catherine stared at me in disbelief. "Do you hear yourself? Over money? You came home and didn't even bother asking why I needed supplements, and I didn't hold that against you.

"Besides, I told you I would pay you back ten times, but you refused. Now you're—"

I didn't bother listening anymore. I headed to the bedroom to pack my luggage. "Cut the nonsense. See you at the courthouse tomorrow."

She chased after me, refusing to give up. Her hand got caught in the door when I closed it.

"Gabriel, explain yourself. What's going on? Why are you divorcing me?"

Catherine's eyes were red and watery from the pain, but I didn't hesitate. I slammed the door shut.

"There's nothing to explain. Just show up on time."

After a long while, I heard dull pounding outside the door.

She shouted, "I'm not agreeing to a divorce! Don't even think about it!"

Then the footsteps grew distant, followed by the sound of a door slamming hard.

Once she was gone, I forced down the surge of emotions and called a lawyer friend. "Draft a divorce agreement for me. The car and the house will go to me, and the remaining assets will be split 50-50."

Catherine didn't come home that night, and I slept fine.

The next morning at work, I received a message from my mother-in-law, Aubrie Becker. She asked me to come over for dinner after I got off work.

Whenever we argued, and Catherine couldn't win, she would retreat to her parents' home.

Then Aubrie and Catherine's late sister's husband, Daxton Yates, would cook a big meal, invite me over, and talk us down until we reconciled.

It always worked. By the end of dinner, we would make up.

However, this time was different. I was set on divorce.

So when they asked when we planned on having a child, I didn't blush or laugh it off like before.

Instead, I pushed away the dish Catherine had just placed on my plate. "Mom, Dad, we probably can't give you that wish. We're getting a divorce."

Aubrie stared at me in shock. "Gabriel, divorce isn't something you joke about. If Catherine did something wrong, tell me. We'll talk some sense into her. Asking for a divorce out of the blue is hurtful. You can't toss that word around."

I frowned and set down my cutlery. "It's nothing dramatic. I just don't love her anymore, and I don't want to waste time. Don't bother trying to talk me out of it. I'm done with this marriage. I can't stand even a minute more of this."

Catherine's throat tightened. Her eyes were red as she looked at me. "Honey, what did I do wrong? Tell me. I don't believe you don't love me. Just tell me, and I'll change. If you don't want me spending your money, I swear… I swear I won't touch a single cent of yours again."

The moment Aubrie heard it was about money, her expression soured.

Daxton hurried over and pulled me aside. He said, "Aubrie, Jordan, don't get upset. There are some things he can't say in front of you. Let me talk to him."

Once we entered his bedroom, he locked the door and looked at me with concern. "Alright, Gabriel, what's going on? Tell me whatever's hard to say. I know you're not the type to act out like this. Something must be wrong."

My relationship with Daxton was typical. It was nothing more than the usual, perfectly normal dynamic between brothers-in-law.

I knew he had lost his wife early in life, never remarried, and had been living with Aubrie and Jordan ever since. So whenever I traveled, worked out, or needed company, I would invite him along to unwind.

I was debating whether to tell him the truth, but then I accidentally noticed something on the chair next to the balcony. A small device that looked like a cup.

Inside it was a used condom, still smeared with cloudy residue.

Daxton followed my gaze, and his face instantly flushed. He rushed to hide the thing in the nightstand.

In his panic, he knocked over the contents of the drawer. A nearly full box of brand-new condoms rolled to my feet.

He snatched it up quickly. "Please don't misunderstand. You know… Mildred passed early. All these years, I still can't forget her. I don't plan on finding someone new, but physically… a man still has needs.

"I just worry about hygiene and getting sick, so I bought some better-quality ones. Please don't tell Aubrie and Jordan. I don't want them thinking I'm being improper."

I glanced at his embarrassed expression, and the words I meant to say caught in my throat.

"I get it. Go on."

He patted my shoulder. "No, you haven't told me anything yet. Why bring up a divorce? What can't be fixed?"

I gave him a brief look. "There's nothing to fix. I just can't do this anymore."

Outside the door, we could hear Aubrie sobbing. "How did our family end up with someone this selfish? He wants a divorce over the cost of some supplements."

She tearfully said, "We've treated you well all these years. You said you wanted to focus on your career, and we didn't complain once about having no grandchildren after five years of marriage.

"You're gone on business trips for half a month at a time, and everything in the house and everything involving both families has always fallen on Catherine's shoulders. She's handled it all for years, and not once has she complained.

"Every month, she gives you her whole paycheck and bonus. And instead of caring about her health, you want to divorce her over some supplements? What kind of heartless husband are you?"

Beside her, Catherine couldn't hold back her tears. She bit her lip and suddenly dropped to her knees in front of me. "I'm sorry, honey. Is it because the heart supplements were expensive? Are you worried my health will get worse and burden you later, so you want a divorce?

"Please don't. I'll take care of myself, I'll work hard. I won't drag you down. Please, I'm begging you. Don't divorce me."

Tears streamed down her face as she held my hand tightly, bowing her head in a desperate plea.

Daxton looked shocked. "Gabriel, you're divorcing her because of that? She's your wife. You don't care about her health, and now you even see her as a burden?"

Daxton looked at me with deep disappointment. "How expensive can heart supplements even be? We're all family. You and Catherine still have most of your lives ahead of you. When did you become so petty?"

Seeing their grief and shock, I let out a cold laugh. "Family? That's only you guys. What does any of this have to do with me? I'm just an outsider."

"Don't go, honey! Please don't go!" Catherine pleaded.

It was as if something suddenly dawned on her. She scrambled forward and grabbed my leg. "Is it because I didn't care enough for you, so now you want a divorce? I'll change. I swear from now on, you come first in everything. Please don't divorce me, okay? I really can't live without you!"

Aubrie clutched her chest, crying that she must have committed some great sin. And a heartless son-in-law like me was her retribution.

I kicked Catherine away without hesitation. "If you have time to beg me, you should hurry up and take your parents to the hospital. Don't let them get so worked up they can't get back up!"

Ignoring their pale faces, I walked out. On my way, I grabbed the health supplements and the trash bag by the door and tossed them all in the dumpster.

I had barely stepped out of the neighborhood when my friend called.

"The agreement's ready. Come by when you can."

He paused. "I'm not trying to pry, but I really don't get it. You two have been fine for years. How did this suddenly turn into a divorce?"

I rubbed my glabella, feeling drained. "It's nothing. I'm just exhausted living with her family. I want out."

He sighed but didn't push further.

I went straight to pick up the divorce papers and signed them on the spot.

That evening, I returned home, packed away traces of my life there, and waited for Catherine to come back so we could sign and be done.

However, I waited past 9:00 pm without any reply from her.

Since I had no other options, I decided to call her so we could talk and make things clear.

Just as I pulled out my phone, I got a call from one of Catherine's coworkers.

On the other end, the voice was urgent and drowned in background chaos. "Gabriel, can you come check on Catherine? She's been out of it all afternoon, completely pale. She fainted before she even got out of the building after work.

"The doctor said she was emotionally triggered. Her heart's acting up. She's at the hospital. Please hurry."

I drove straight there.

As soon as I walked into the hospital room, the place was packed.

Aside from Aubrie and Daxton, there was also a whole group of her coworkers I recognized but barely knew.

My parents were staring at me too, anger written all over their faces.

My mouth opened, but before I could say anything, Dad slapped me so hard I stumbled into the doorframe.

My ears rang.

On the bed, Catherine struggled to get up, her face twisted with worry.

"D-Dad, don't hit him. We can talk things out."

At her words, Dad's eyes reddened. "Look at her! She's hospitalized because of you, and she's still worried about you!

"You ungrateful brat! Catherine's such a good woman. How could you suddenly demand a divorce? Are you that desperate for money? Who's starving you? Why fixate on a bit of cash?

"You've been spoiled all these years, haven't you? Now you think being cared for is something you earned?"

Mom, who had always defended me growing up, looked at me with disappointment. She said, "I hate to say it, but you really crossed the line this time."

Dad snorted. "What are you waiting for? Apologize to Aubrie and Daxton. Do you know how badly you upset them yesterday?"

Swallowing my frustration, I met all their angry stares. "This is my decision. It has nothing to do with any of you. Stay out of it."

Then, I borrowed a pen from the doctor and handed it to Catherine along with the divorce agreement.

"I'm here only to get divorced."

The room fell silent. Her coworkers, who had assumed my parents' scolding would make me rethink everything, stared at me in shock.