Chapter 6
Back in the day, even her own son didn’t want her living with him, thinking she was nothing but trouble.
When I saw my father-in-law whipping her with a leather belt back in the village, I insisted on bringing her home to care for her. Never thought you couldn’t tame an ungrateful wolf.
She had countless chances to leave her abusive husband, but she chose to stay-preferring beatings over the shame of divorce.
Pathetic and laughable.
That afternoon, I hired movers. I’d kept my Washington studio apartment since before marriage-now it came in handy.
Halfway through loading, William showed up with Shirley.
He panicked seeing the moving truck downstairs, grabbing my arm desperately. “Diana, are you seriously leaving?”
“William, how did I never notice what a coward you were all these years?” I glanced at Shirley behind him. “Can’t you clean up your own mess? Don’t make me despise you.”
William clutched my wrist. “You’re being reckless! Who’ll support you in Washington besides me? Your father? He washed his hands of you years ago!”
I laughed. “Not your concern. Since you’re here, let’s head to the Civil Registry Office.”
“Diana! You-”
Shirley cut him off, tears welling. “William! What about your promise to me?”
William stifled his fury, turning to embrace her. “I remember… If she wants it, I’ll divorce her now.”
I watched the miserable pair with a smirk. Their act almost made me feel like the villain.
At the Civil Registry Office, my lawyer waited by the entrance.
I signed the papers cheerfully. “Meant to make you leave penniless, but I can’t be bothered. Just sign-we’ll split mar- ital assets fairly.”
He ignored the documents, staring me down. “Don’t regret this, Diana! You can still back out.”
I slid the papers forward. “I’ll regret it only if you refuse.”
“Fine! When you come begging later, I won’t look back.” William scrawled his signature.
I handed the forms to the clerk.
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“One-month Divorce Cooling-off Period. Return then for the certificate.”
First time I hated this rule-they’d squat in my house rent-free for another month.
Afterwards, William sped off in my car.
That car, the house-all pre-marital assets from my father.
The only things to split were his paltry salary and my nominal savings.
William buried himself in work for years, oblivious to household matters. Probably assumed he owned half my prop-
erty.
I laughed aloud, packed my bags, and boarded an international flight.
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