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.

When Catherine saw the signed divorce papers, her whole body began to shake. The monitor beside her started blaring alarms as her vitals spiked.

The doctor tried to examine her, but she pushed him away.

Her eyes were bloodshot as she clutched her chest. "Honey, I promise I won't use your money anymore. I'll hand over everything I earn, okay?"

I didn't show even the slightest reaction. "No. I just want a divorce!"

Aubrie, who had been holding herself back, finally exploded. She stepped forward and slapped me hard.

"How can you be so heartless? Catherine ended up in the hospital because of you, and since you walked in, you didn't even ask about her condition. All you want is a divorce. Is your heart made of stone?"

I touched the fresh handprint on my cheek. "I have no obligation to take care of her."

Daxton, seeing that I was unmoved, hurried to support the staggering Aubrie. "Gabriel, what is wrong with you? At least make it clear—why are you divorcing Catherine? I refuse to believe you're this cold."

He stared at me, searching for answers.

I let out a mocking breath and punched him square in the face. "Whether I'm cold or not has nothing to do with you. Mind your own business before talking to me."

Daxton stared at me in shock.

Furious, Aubrie tried to hit me again, but I pushed her back lightly, and she stumbled several steps.

At that moment, even the coworkers who had stayed silent couldn't take it anymore.

"Gabriel, how could you disrespect Aubrie and Daxton like that? Catherine has treated you so well and given you everything, yet you want to divorce her over some supplements? Are you even human?"

I glanced at them and asked, "What business is it of yours? Are you done with your work? If you're done, go home and pay attention to your husbands and kids. Don't stick your nose in my family."

A few of the women who were close to Catherine immediately bristled.

"Catherine is one of the kindest people we know. How did she end up marrying a cold, selfish jerk like you? Do you even know she's about to get a promotion? Her salary will be even higher!"

"Don't bother with him, Catherine. Divorce him. Let him regret it!"

I laughed coldly. "Don't worry. I will never regret it."

Hearing this, my father-in-law, Jordan Francis, couldn't stand it. He glared at me and said, "Fine! We're done tiptoeing around this man like he's some untouchable VIP!"

He lunged forward, trying to grab the papers from my hand.

Dad blocked him quickly and forced a polite smile. "Jordan, please don't be upset. Gabriel is being impulsive. Let's all calm down.

"You can rest assured. As long as I'm here today, I won't let them get a divorce. I'll take Gabriel home and straighten him out!"

At that, he pulled me by the arm, trying to drag me away.

However, I tore myself free with all my strength.

"I told you I'm not going anywhere. I'm divorcing today. None of you can stop me."

Dad, who had never faced defiance like this before, finally lost his temper. He slapped me, causing me to fall to the ground.

"Do you think I can't control you? Let me make it clear! If you dare go through with this divorce, I'll cut ties with you. From today on, you're no son of mine!"

The papers slipped out of my hands and scattered across the floor.

My eyes burned as I clenched my teeth. "Fine. If none of you are on my side, there's nothing more to say then."

I leaned down to gather the divorce documents.

In the next second, Dad shoved me aside and picked them up first.

He glared at me. "I'm ripping this up right now. You can forget about getting divorced, you ungrateful brat!"

Panicked, I lunged toward him. "No! Don't! Dad, let me explain later. Just don't—"

Before I could finish, his hand froze mid-tear.

His eyes landed on a few papers mixed into the divorce agreement. Those were papers that didn't belong there.

In that instant, his face went ashen. His broad shoulders trembled, and he stumbled back several steps.

His shocked eyes bounced back and forth between Catherine and me.