My neighbor abandoned her cat, so I took it in.

It never warmed up to me, but never stopped meowing at my husband.

I grew suspicious. One night, my husband claimed to be working late. I knocked on the neighbor’s door.

She stroked her slightly rounded belly. “Ms. Hill, what brings you here so late?”

Her eyes gleamed with defiance and smugness. Something clicked. I understood everything.

When my husband crept home at dawn, he found both sets of parents waiting.

A divorce agreement lay on the coffee table.

“Divorce?

“Clara Hill, are you telling me our seven-year relationship is over just like that? Over a darn cat?”

Julian Shane did not even glance at it. He grabbed the divorce papers and flung them at the Ragdoll cat rubbing against him.

“If you won’t sign, we’ll take this to court.”

After saying this calmly, I turned and walked back to my room.

Both our sets of parents looked utterly bewildered.

They could not understand how a couple who had been as affectionate as newlyweds just last month could have reached the point of divorce.

Julian lowered his head to hide the panic in his eyes. His fists clenched so tightly they trembled.

His parents rushed over to stop me. “Clara, you can’t suspect Julian of cheating just because of a cat! Some cats are naturally more affectionate toward men. What does that prove?

“We’ve all seen how good Julian is to you. When you had that high fever from the flu, he stayed by your hospital bedside for 48 hours straight. When you fell off that mountain, he sold off shares and spent a fortune to get you the best medical team.

“Does a cat really outweigh all that in your heart?”

My parents pleaded with me earnestly too.

“If you leave Julian, where will you find a husband this good?

“You’re physically impaired and unable to bear children. It’s already a blessing that Julian stayed with you in spite of that. Don’t you realize how fortunate you are?”

Julian suddenly clasped my hand. His red eyes filled with a dazed look. He looked like he was utterly devoted to loving me.

“Honey, we dated for two years and have been married for five. Even death will not do us part! How could you misunderstand me over a cat?

“Are you unhappy about being neglected because I’ve been busy dealing with my company’s troubles lately?

“I swear, no matter how busy I get from now on, I’ll leave work on time and come home to be with you...”

In front of a room full of people, he expressed his devotion to the utmost.

My in-laws were well-educated and kind. They had always treated me with nothing but kindness.

My parents were more calculating, believing that being with Julian meant I would have a good life.

But the apathy and resolve in my eyes did not waver. I pushed Julian’s hand away coldly. “I’ll only say this once again. If you don’t sign this tonight, we’re taking this to court.

“This is the last shred of dignity I’m giving you.”

Julian’s eyes flashed crimson. “Clara, how can you be so heartless?”

“That’s simple. Because I don’t care about you anymore.”

With that, I was not bothered to argue further. I opened the door and walked straight out.

The disappointed sighs of both sets of parents echoed behind me, but I did not pause. I quickened my pace.

The Ragdoll cat slipped out as well.

As I sat blankly on a park bench in the neighborhood, I saw the Ragdoll cat chasing after its former owner, who was heading downstairs to throw out the trash.

Ivy Summers kicked its head in disgust, but the Ragdoll cat refused to leave.

I could not bear to watch and stepped in to stop it, but the Ragdoll arched its back, hissing and baring its teeth at me.

Ivy laughed.

“Ms. Hill, sometimes people are just like cats.

“If they don’t like you, they just don’t like you. You can’t force them to get along.”

I saw the challenge and haughtiness in Ivy’s eyes, then glanced at her noticeably rounded belly. I instantly understood what she meant.

“You’re right.

“Neither clingy cats nor clingy people are worth keeping.”

Julian arrived just then, his face tense and flustered.

But he had not come to take my side.

“Clara, can you act normal? I told you the cat’s clinginess was just a misunderstanding. It has nothing to do with the neighbors! You can make a scene at home, but how could you be crazy enough to harass others? Can’t you see she’s pregnant?”

Julian had no idea what was happening.

He had simply seen me interacting with Ivy. Without seeking clarity he had rushed in to defend her while labeling me a jealous troublemaker.

I let out a bitter laugh, realizing that even if Julian still loved me, that love paled to his feelings for Ivy.

Fearing I might cause trouble for Ivy again, Julian forcibly dragged me home.

Julian’s parents looked utterly displeased. They had already read through the divorce papers, then tossed them straight into the trash.

“Clara, what do you think you’re doing? We haven’t mistreated you, have we? If you want a divorce over a stupid cat, so be it, but on top of that, you want Julian to leave with nothing?

“Did we spoil you so much that you think we’re pushovers?”

My parents’ faces were red from being ashamed of me. “You’ve gone too far. We can’t support such unreasonable actions.”

I offered no further explanation and repeated myself. “If you refuse, we’ll settle this in court.”

The unfaithful party deserved to walk away with nothing.

Julian’s voice trembled with panic.

“Clara, are you divorcing me just for the assets? You know the passwords to all my cards. They’re all free for you to spend. Isn’t that enough?”

Not all of them.

Or rather, I used to. Julian had since acquired several new cards, secretly spending who knows how much on Ivy behind my back.

Just as I was about to point this out, someone knocked on the door.

Ivy greeted us sweetly. “Everyone, sorry to disturb you so late.

“Earlier downstairs, Mr. Shane and Ms. Hill had a misunderstanding because of me. I felt bad about it and came to check.

“Truthfully, Ms. Hill didn’t cause me any trouble. She was taking out her frustration on the cat. I couldn’t stand by and do nothing, so I tried to intervene. It was my fault. It was only right that Ms. Hill hit and scolded me.”

Julian’s parents’ faces darkened. “Clara, you would actually abuse cats and assault people?”

My parents lamented my lack of decorum. “Clara, how did you end up like this?”

None of them noticed the crucial issue.

“Mr. Shane?

“Ivy, so you know my husband after all. It must have been tough holding back all those times we passed without a word, huh?”

Like a deer caught in headlights, Ivy immediately lowered her head in panic. She stole a glance at Julian. Her expression was innocent and pleading, as if she was begging for mercy.

Her right hand, adorned with a sparkling diamond ring, drifted toward her rounded belly.

A flicker of alarm and tenderness passed through Julian’s eyes before he composed himself. “I do know Ivy. She’s a junior employee at my company. We’ve crossed paths a few times.

“I didn’t think she was important enough to mention, and I didn’t want you to overthink things. So I just treated her like a neighbor I barely knew. Clara, be good. Don’t jump to conclusions.”

I could not help but chuckle.

If he had nothing to hide, why was he afraid I would overthink things?

Also, how could an entry-level employee afford a spacious apartment in a high-end downtown neighborhood?

When I remained silent, Julian’s father rose angrily. “Clara Hill, if you have evidence, I won’t say another word about the divorce and property division! But if you’re trying to strip Julian of everything based on mere speculation, I’m giving you a warning. You’re delusional!”

Just as I was about to respond, Ivy blinked and interjected, “Divorce and leave him with nothing? Ms. Hill, isn’t that a bit too much?

“Even though you’ve never visited the company, every employee knows how doting Mr. Shane is to his wife. Everyone knows how deeply he loves you! Ms. Hill, could you have found another man? Are you deliberately using me as a pawn to seize Mr. Shane’s assets?”

I raised my hand and slapped her across the face.

“Watch your mouth.

“Julian may indulge you, but I certainly won’t.”

In that instant, Julian clenched his fists uncontrollably. He glared at me with seething rage.

After a moment, he regained his composure and turned to Ivy with concern.

“Are you okay?”

Ivy’s eyes were red from crying. “I’m fine. I accidentally misspoke. Ms. Hill was right to hit me. Mr. Shane, please don’t be angry with me.”

After seven years together, Julian clenched his teeth at me for the first time. “Get down and apologize to Ivy now!”

I sneered coldly.

“Why should I?

“She brought it on herself. She deserved the strike.”

Julian suddenly raised his hand and struck himself across the face with all his strength. His cheek instantly swelled and turned red.

“I’m taking this retaliatory slap on your behalf.

“Clara, I’m begging you. Please stop this madness.

“Did staying cooped up at home after your injury drive you mad? I promise never to abandon you, no matter what happens to you.

“I’ll give you anything you want. Just drop the divorce talk, okay?”

Without hesitation, I replied, “Impossible.

“Julian, every second I spend with you makes me feel sick and suffocated.”

He was backing off, while I remained stubborn.

Both our parents were utterly disappointed with me.

Julian’s parents rose angrily, leaving behind a cold warning before departing. “If you insist on divorce, we’ll see it through! But don’t even think about taking a single penny from our family. No matter the cost, I’ll make sure you leave with nothing!”

My parents shook their heads at me and sighed. “Clara, you’re the one causing all this trouble. When you end up with nothing, you’ll regret it.”

Was I the one at fault?

No.

The person I bribed at Julian’s company promptly sent me a surveillance video clip.

I was watching it in the spare bedroom when Julian knocked and walked in.

To prevent him from discovering my actions and destroying the evidence, I quickly slipped on my Bluetooth earbuds. I listened to the audio while stashing my phone away.

“Clara, what purpose does divorcing me serve?

“You can’t have children. Another family like mine would never agree to marry someone like you.”

I looked at him with a cold smile. “Julian, why can’t I have children?”

During our marriage’s second year, I was injured.

Julian loved thrills. He would constantly pursue extreme sports and demand that I accompany him.

During a rock-climbing incident, he slipped and fell. I had risked my life and grabbed onto him to save him. He managed to steady himself on a protruding rock while I plummeted to the ground from exhaustion.

Everyone said Julian loved me. They said that he had traded his life for mine.

Before me, Julian hung his head in guilty silence.

Through my headphones came the clear, suggestive laughter of him and Ivy.

“Julian, skydiving was so thrilling! I had a great time. But honestly, just taking me out occasionally would already make me perfectly happy. Isn’t that a bit too risky to move me in next door to you?”

After a series of muffled kissing sounds, Julian replied, “That’s what makes it thrilling.

“These past years, Clara has become increasingly dull. Only you make me feel alive again...”