Chapter 3: Betrayal of Trust

"Mary, this isn't working anymore," Harold Miller stated, his voice low but forceful.

Clark froze at the edge of the study door, the words stopping him in his tracks. He had been walking past when he heard Harold's distinct tone.

"Dad, it's not that simple," Mary said, her voice sharp but weak.

Harold's remark came with a sigh. "Simple or not, your so call husband is dragging this family down. He has no employment, no prospects, and no pride. How much longer are you going to let him embarrass us?"

Clark's chest constricted. He leaned closer, trying not to make a sound.

"I'm handling it," Mary said, her voice defensive.

"Are you? Because from where I'm standing, you're doing nothing except babysitting him." Harold's tone got sharper. "A woman like you shouldn't be stuck with a failure like Clark. You have options, Mary. Better ones."

Clark's fingers tightened, his jaw set as he tried to comprehend the pain of those words.

"What do you mean?" Mary asked, her voice filled with strain.

"I'm saying divorce him," Harold remarked plainly. "Before he ruins your future."

"Divorce?" Mary echoed, her voice wavering. "That's not an effortless decision, Dad."

"It's the right decision," Harold argued. "Are you aware of how many men would seize the opportunity to be with someone like you?" Men who could truly support you. Men like David Preston."

Clark's breath seized in his throat. David Preston? Her ex-boyfriend?

"David and I are in the past," Mary continued, but her tone faltered.

"Are you sure about that?" Harold pressed. "Because from what I've heard, he's still very much interested in you. And let's be honest, Mary—he's everything Clark isn't. Successful, ambitious, powerful."

Mary didn't react quickly, and the quiet was deafening to Clark's ears.

"Think about it," Harold continued. "Do you plan spending your whole life with a man who can't meet his need?" "Or are you seeking a companion who can offer you the life you truly deserve?", "my dear, you should now wish to be with a man who will meet all your needs, not someone who is unsuccessful."

Clark was unable to continue listening. He walked away from the door, his heart pounding.

----

Later that evening, Clark spotted Mary in the living room, staring at her phone. He lingered at the entryway for some time, gathering his thoughts.

"Mary, can we have a conversation?" he inquired, his tone calm even with the turmoil racing within him.

She looked up, her countenance guarded. "About what?"

"About us," he replied, walking into the room.

Mary sighed, placing her phone aside. "Clark, if this is about Fred or Dad, just ignore them. They're always like that."

"It's not just about them," Clark replied, sitting across from her. "It's about you. About what you want."

"What I want?" she repeated, frowning.

"Yes," he answered firmly. "I need to know where we stand, Mary. Are we still a team, or have you already decided to move on without me?"

Mary stiffened. "What are you talking about?"

"I overheard your conversation with your dad," Clark said, his gaze riveted on hers. "I know he's pushing you to leave me. And I heard him mentioned David."

Her eyes opened slightly, but she swiftly recovered. "You were eavesdropping?"

"Don't deflect," Clark replied, his voice rising slightly. "Just answer me, Mary. Are you considering divorce?"

She looked aside, biting her lip. The silence stretched between them, heavy and stifling.

"Mary," Clark prompted, his voice lower now. "Please, just tell me the truth."

"I don't know, Clark," she finally answered, her voice barely above a whisper.

His stomach fell, but he forced himself to be cool. "You don't know?"

"I've been under so much pressure," she added, her tone defensive. "From Dad, from Fred, from everyone. They all keep thinking I deserve better, and… maybe they're right."

"Better?" Clark repeated, his voice filled with incredulity. "Do you even hear yourself? We took vows, Mary. For better or worse."

"Worse doesn't mean forever, Clark!" she screamed, getting up. "You've been trapped in this routine for months." To be truthful, I have no idea if you will ever leave it.

Her words stung him like a blow to the stomach, yet he would not give in. "Well, I understand you and how you feel. You know, I never plan for this", but are you really going up on me mm? "I mean us?"

"I won't give up," she replied, her voice trembling. "I'm simply… I'm aiming to be realistic."

"Realistic?" he asked, standing as well. "Or selfish?"

Her eyes blazed with rage. "You think I'm selfish? Do you have any clue what it's like to be married to someone who's continuously failing?"

"Failing?" Clark said, his voice breaking. "I lost my job, Mary. That doesn't make me a failure."

"But it's not just the job, Clark!" she cried. "It's everything! You've lost your drive, your confidence, and... your ambition. You're not the man I married anymore."

Clark stared at her, the weight of her words overwhelming him. "And whose fault is that?" he said gently. "Do you think it's easy living under this roof, being constantly belittled and judged? Do you think that doesn't affect me?"

She parted her lips to reply but paused, her expression gentle for a moment. "Clark…" 

"No," he interrupted, his tone resolute. "I won't allow you or anyone else to determine my value." I might be low, but I'm not defeated. And if you can't recognize it, then perhaps Dad was right about something—you truly deserve more. "However, not in the manner he believes."

Mary looked at him, her eyes large with a blend of anger, remorse, and another emotion he couldn't exactly identify.

"What does that mean?" She inquired, her voice trembling.

"It signifies you are worthy of someone who will not allow you to control them," he remarked, his voice icy. "And I merit a person who truly has faith in me."

Before she had a chance to respond, he pivoted and exited the room, his thoughts racing. He had no idea what the future held, but one thing was clear: he wouldn't let anyone, not even Mary, shatter him.

If this family thinks I'm worthless, I'll demonstrate exactly how mistaken they are.