George froze for a moment. He clearly hadn't expected me to be so direct.

"She... she said that you and your husband don't get along and are planning to divorce. She said you're very lonely, and that maybe you and I could get to know each other."

He pushed his glasses up awkwardly, looking a little embarrassed.

Just as I thought.

I sneered inwardly, but my face remained calm as I continued.

"Didn't she tell you that I'm still married, and that my husband is only away on a business trip?"

George's expression turned strange for a moment, but he still nodded.

"She did mention it. If you're willing, I could help you get out of this unhappy marriage as soon as possible."

He looked at me with a trace of sincerity in his eyes.

But to me, his words felt deeply insulting.

I picked up the steaming cup of tea in front of me and hurled it onto the floor at his feet.

George jumped up, staring at me in shock.

"I don't care what Melody told you. But you need to understand something. This is my home. I have a husband. As long as you stand here, every second is an insult to me and my family."

I stood up and pointed at the door.

"Get out of my house. Right now."

George was completely stunned. He opened his mouth as if he wanted to explain something, but the cold look in my eyes stopped him.

In the end, he slunk out of my house, looking completely defeated.

By the time Melody dawdled back, it was already evening.

The moment she stepped inside and saw me sitting on the couch watching TV as if nothing had happened, her face darkened.

"Mom! Where's George?"

I didn't even bother looking up. My voice was calm and measured.

"I kicked him out."

"What?!" Melody's voice shot up instantly. "How can you do that! George is a guest I worked so hard to invite. Even if you don't like him, you can't just throw him out! You're being completely unreasonable!"

I finally turned to her and said, "I'll say it one last time. I am not getting a divorce. Both you and your brother better stop scheming, or don't expect me to go easy on you just because we're family."

Caught in the act, Melody's last shred of pretense vanished. She stormed back to her room, her expression dark.

When she couldn't get anywhere with me, she and Clark turned their attention to their father.

A few days later, Timothy returned from his business trip.

That night, I got up for a glass of water. When I passed by the study, I heard low voices inside.

I froze instinctively and pressed myself against the door.

Clark's voice came first, heavy and tense.

"Dad, there's something... Melody and I don't know if we should tell you..."

"What is it now? Why are you being so mysterious?" Timothy replied impatiently.

"Dad... Mom... Mom seems to be seeing someone."

Melody's voice cracked with emotion, full of hurt.

There was a pause in the study.

"Nonsense!" Timothy's tone hardened instantly. "Your mother isn't that kind of person!"

"Dad, we don't want to believe it either!" Clark quickly added, his voice full of distress. "But we saw it with our own eyes! While you were on your trip, a man came to our house! If you don't divorce her, and she brings that man home, what will happen to your reputation?"

Melody started to sob. "Even though she's our mom, she's done something wrong. We can't just ignore right and wrong! Think about it. If she dares to do this now, what will she do in the future? If you ask me, we should go straight to court and make her leave with nothing!

"Dad, all the money you worked so hard to save for retirement... do you really want to watch her spend it with that man?!"