Chapter 3

Now I feel frustrated and aggrieved.

Evelina suddenly shouted at me without rhyme or reason: "Dashiell, you're forcing me to divorce you!"

For all these years, Evelina has rarely ever lost her temper with me.

Yet now, for the sake of another man and children that aren't mine, she wants to divorce me.

I laughed, though my smile seemed rather bleak.

"If you want a divorce, then let's get one."

I said the most heartbreaking words with the most nonchalant attitude.

Eight years of knowing each other, dating, and marriage - I never once thought about separating from the woman before me.

I often felt we were a match made in heaven, even soulmates blessed by fate.

I thought nothing and no one could ever tear us apart.

But I never expected that in the end, we'd be no match for pure love.

When I made my decision, Evelina exploded!

She loudly questioned me in front of everyone, "Dashiell, do you really have to be so selfish? Have you considered my feelings at all?"

"Your feelings are feelings, but what about mine?" I retorted.

I don't know when it started, but I've become so insignificant.

In this family, it's hard to even seek a little care and affection.

Except for work, it seems like everything else I do is wrong and subject to criticism from their entire family.

If it weren't for Evelina, I probably would have broken down long ago.

Now that even she is unwilling to take my side, what meaning does this marriage have anymore?

"Has my Everhart family ever left you hungry or cold?"

My father-in-law suddenly snapped angrily: "When we initially allowed you to marry into the Everhart family, you should have been eternally grateful. Do you really think you're all that important now?"

Just as I was about to speak, Damien interjected from the side: "Uncle Everhart, the doctor said you shouldn't get angry. Be careful not to harm your health!"

"At least Damien knows how to care for me, unlike certain ungrateful youngsters."

Watching my father-in-law praise Damien with such admiration, I felt truly disheartened.

Eight years. During this time, I've racked my brains to send them gifts for every holiday and special occasion.

What I sent may not have been the most expensive, but it was always the most thoughtful.

I've constantly put their needs first, even single-handedly organizing all their banquets and gatherings.

This includes taking time off work to care for them when they were hospitalized or ill.

Even so, I still can't earn their sincere affection.

Damien, who they hadn't seen in a decade, suddenly burst back into their lives for over two weeks and caught their attention.

Was there anything more pathetic than that?

Even Evelina couldn't help but complain to me, "Look at Damien, then look at yourself. Where did all your usual refinement go?"

"You're talking to me about refinement at a time like this?"

I looked at Evelina in disbelief, suddenly realizing she seemed different.

She had become unfamiliar, even distant.

The tenderness she once showed me had vanished without a trace.

She began subtly defending Damien.

Perhaps she didn't realize it yet, but seeing this left me feeling utterly helpless.

Forget about reconciliation, I might not even have the right to try and keep her.

Evelina seemed to sense something.

She slightly changed her tone and tried to comfort me: "Dashiell, I was a bit impulsive just now, but I have my reasons for acting this way."