Chapter 2

When Melody and I first got married, my mother-in-law suffered a stroke and became paralyzed. Melody had to care for her and couldn't work, so I took on the responsibility of all our household expenses.

Later, when my mother-in-law recovered, Melody wanted to start her own studio. Once again, I invested my hard-earned savings to support her venture.

However, she never contributed a single penny of her earnings to our household expenses.

At this moment, Melody finally spoke up, furrowing her brow as she reminded me:

"Nolan, you're unemployed now!"

"As the breadwinner of this family, you must take on the responsibility."

"Also, William just returned from abroad and will be staying in your room temporarily. He'll pay rent, which will help ease our financial strain. You can sleep in the small storage room from now on."

Her words sounded reasonable, as if refusing would make me irresponsible.

I finally understood.

They were simply taking advantage of my unemployment and financial predicament, forcing me to accept William's presence.

In that moment, my last shred of attachment to this family vanished completely.

Thinking of the 200 million dollars I was about to receive, I no longer held back. I coldly said:

"No need to trouble yourselves. I'm moving out!"

"Without a job, are you going to beg on the streets? You shameless good-for-nothing!"

"Don't stop him, let him get the hell out of here!"

My mother-in-law couldn't resist mocking me.

Melody cast a disappointed glance at me, then ignored me, turning her face away to serve food to our daughter.

Our daughter rolled her eyes even more dramatically, clinging to William's arm and sweetly calling out:

"Uncle William, give Mommy some vegetables. Mommy loves her veggies."

This heartwarming scene only served to highlight how much I stood out like a sore thumb.

I decisively retreated to the bedroom, packed my things, and was about to leave with my suitcase in hand.

Suddenly, my mother-in-law approached, forcefully snatching the suitcase from me and eyeing me with a suspicious glare.

"You can go, but let me check if you've stolen anything from the house!"

She moved to open my suitcase.

I had hoped for an amicable parting, but I never expected my mother-in-law to be so overbearing!

I immediately grabbed the suitcase back, shouting angrily:

"You have no right to do that!"

Seeing this, my mother-in-law became even more convinced I was hiding something, and started hurling insults at me.

The commotion quickly drew Melody's attention.

After hearing what had happened, Melody furrowed her brow, staring at me for several seconds.

Suddenly, she dragged me into the room and closed the door.

She spoke to me earnestly: "Nolan, can you please stop this nonsense?"

"I know you're feeling down about losing your job, and I understand if you don't want to be a janitor. I'll have William arrange for you to be a driver, how's that?"

"You don't have a job right now, so just bear with it for a while. At the very least, you should show your value around the house, shouldn't you?"

My heart was heavy with disappointment as I listened to her self-righteous words.

"So your definition of my 'value' is unconditionally supporting you and your mother's family when I can make money?"

"And when I can't make money, I'm supposed to stay home like a servant and watch your first love play the man of the house, is that right?"

Melody's face turned ugly.

Flushed with anger and embarrassment, she snapped, "Nolan, what nonsense are you spouting?"

"What man in this world doesn't support his darling and children? Are you the only one who feels put upon? I'm trying to have a civil conversation with you, and you're being so ungrateful!"

"Don't forget, you're the one who's unemployed right now!"

I was thoroughly done with this argument and pushed open the door to leave.

Suddenly, our daughter rushed up and forcefully slapped a document against my chest, shouting:

"Useless dad, hurry up and divorce mom!"

"I want Uncle William to be my dad!"

I looked closely at the paper and realized it was a printed divorce agreement.

In the bottom right corner, Melody had already signed her name.

My mother-in-law chimed in from the side, beaming with pride:

"My clever granddaughter! That's right, you need to kick this freeloader out!"

She then pointed at me and barked:

"What are you waiting for? Sign it already!"

"Melody originally felt sorry for you and didn't want to bring up divorce. But now, it seems like the perfect time!"

I looked at Melody's cold, impassive face.

Without further hesitation, I snatched the pen, scribbled my signature, and threw it on the ground!

"Fine, let's divorce! Tomorrow at 9 AM, meet at the courthouse!"