Six months ago, my wife joined a hiking group and quickly became obsessed with traveling everywhere.

Not long after our baby girl Anna was born, I gently asked her several times to spend more time caring for the family.

But she refused, saying she had postpartum depression.

She claimed that only traveling could truly relax her and prevent her condition from worsening.

I had no choice but to let her continue.

Until two days ago, when I saw her stepping out of her best friend’s car, glowing with health and full of color.

Right then and there, in front of my father-in-law and mother-in-law, I told her I wanted a divorce.

She froze, stunned for a long time before responding:

“Daniel Carter, do you even know what you’re saying?”

“Of course I do,” I replied coldly. “But it’s clear your heart hasn’t been in this family for a long time.”

Emily Walker looked aggrieved, her eyes misty with unshed tears.

My mother-in-law immediately questioned me:

“Daniel, you know Emily has depression. Are you trying to push her into a corner by doing this?”

I sneered inwardly, not bothering to explain.

Once again, I reminded Emily that no matter what, this marriage had to end.

When she first gave birth, everything still seemed normal.

But two months later, she suddenly said she felt anxious all the time, withdrawn, and often too low to even speak.

Sometimes she confessed she had impulses of taking the baby with her to die.

I researched online and found out this was postpartum depression.

If untreated, it would only get worse.

Since I had to work, I asked her parents to come help.

I even went to her company to resign on her behalf.

I told her to buy whatever she wanted, to just focus on resting at home.

Whenever I had free time, I stayed by her side, trying to make her laugh.

But instead of improving, her condition only seemed to worsen.

Her best friend suggested a new approach:

“Maybe traveling more, changing her environment, might help.”

So I immediately proposed traveling with her.

But she refused, saying I needed to work hard to support the family, that I couldn’t just take time off.

“If that’s the case, let Sophia Lewis accompany me instead,” she said.

At first, I didn’t think much of it.

I simply reminded Sophia to take good care of Emily.

I told them, “If you need money, just ask. What matters most is that you enjoy yourselves.”

And so, half a year passed like this.

Her trips increased from once every three months to once every two weeks.

Even when Anna cried in hunger, she would ignore her, leaving me to prepare formula milk.

Each time she came back, she looked rejuvenated, glowing, full of energy.

She thought I didn’t notice—but I understood everything.

Emily sobbed softly, asking pitifully:

“Daniel, did I do something wrong?

I admit I haven’t taken care of Anna lately… but I can’t help it. Every time I see her, I just want to cry.”

My mother-in-law tried to mediate:

“Daniel, we can help take care of the baby. Don’t be so rash.”

I shook my head. I was long past disappointment with Emily.

“I don’t want to drag this on. Tomorrow we’re going to the county clerk’s office to file for divorce.”

“If you don’t want to raise Anna, fine. I’ll raise her myself.”

In half a year, Emily had nursed Anna fewer times than I could count on one hand.

She kept claiming she had insufficient milk supply, or that her postpartum depression made it impossible.

I tried to understand, even offering comfort again and again.

But my tolerance had only made her bolder.

“Is this something a normal person would say?”

My father-in-law glared at me furiously, coffee mug still in his hand.

“Emily’s been with you for five years, married you, gave birth to your child, and worked hard to care for this family. And now you want a divorce?”

“Did I hear that right, or have you lost your mind?”

Faced with his questioning, I shrugged.

“Then just take me for insane. All I want now is a divorce.”

As soon as the words left my mouth, my father-in-law smashed the coffee mug.

Glass shards scattered everywhere, and hot coffee splashed across me.

Emily cried out instantly:

“Dad, what are you doing?! That coffee was scalding hot—it could burn Daniel!”

She looked at me with concern, trying to pull me toward the bathroom to rinse the burns with cold water.

I shook her hand off.

“Enough. Stop pretending.”

Emily’s gaze faltered.

“Daniel, what’s wrong with you today? Did something happen? Are you in trouble?”

“If you are, tell me. I’m your wife—we’ll face it together, okay?”

Looking at Emily’s tearful, affectionate eyes, I almost wished it were true.

But her acting was so convincing, I could no longer tell reality from performance.

My father-in-law roared, unable to stand it anymore:

“What’s the use of a man like this? And you’re still defending him?”

Emily cried out:

“Marriage is about loyalty! He can abandon me, but I can’t abandon him!”

Her words only infuriated her father further.

He cursed, calling me a disgrace, while my mother-in-law tried to smooth things over.

She insisted I give a reason for the divorce.

I stared coldly at Emily.

“Don’t you know what you’ve done?”

I didn’t want to humiliate her in front of her parents, so I held back.

But Emily, confused, pressed on:

“What did I do? Is it just because I’ve been traveling so much lately?”

“If it’s about the money, I’ll pay for my own trips from now on.”

I told her it wasn’t about the money.

Over the past half year, she’d spent tens of thousands of dollars on those trips, and I never complained.

I never even asked where all that money went.

To me, her recovery was more important than anything.

But it turned out her so-called postpartum depression was a complete lie.

“Daniel, please don’t be angry, okay? I know you’re under a lot of pressure. I’ll be more careful from now on.”

Her pitiful display only made her father’s anger boil over.

He grabbed a baseball bat and swung it at me.

Emily rushed to block him.

“Dad, don’t hit Daniel! He doesn’t really want to divorce me—he’s just saying it out of anger!”

“Is this what you call a husband? I never should have let you marry him!”

The blows came down hard. Sweat poured down my face.

But I didn’t dodge, didn’t resist—I just stood there.

Emily sobbed uncontrollably, while my mother-in-law stood frozen, watching me get beaten.

When my father-in-law finally tired, he still threatened me:

“This is just a warning. Next time, I’ll break your legs!”

“There won’t be a next time,” I said flatly.

“Tomorrow we’re getting divorced.”

“You—!” He raised the bat again.

Emily wailed:

“As long as we don’t divorce, I’ll do anything you want!”

I sneered.

“You want to travel? Fine. But why do you always bring your best friend?”

Emily froze, stunned by my words.

“What’s wrong with traveling with Sophia? At least we can look after each other.”

My in-laws exchanged odd glances.

Emily suddenly realized, gasping:

“Wait—you’re jealous of Sophia?”

Hearing that, my father-in-law nearly exploded again.

He jabbed his finger at me, shouting:

“Jealous of Sophia? She’s just a girl! What’s wrong with her keeping Emily company?”

My mother-in-law chimed in:

“Daniel, isn’t this reason a bit too far-fetched?”

They couldn’t understand me at all.

So I asked Emily:

“Do you dare call your best friend here and confront her with me?”

For the past six months, the two of them had been glued together twenty-four hours a day.

They were inseparable—even going to the restroom together. It disgusted me.

Emily immediately called Sophia on speakerphone.

She told her:

“Daniel is asking for a divorce because he’s jealous of you.”

On the other end, Sophia sounded shocked.

“Jealous of me? Is he insane?”

Emily sighed.

“I can’t help it anymore. Please come explain it to him.”

“Fine, I’ll be right there.”

Hanging up, Emily said firmly:

“Sophia will be here soon. I hope you think carefully before saying anything else.”

To anyone else, being jealous of your wife’s best friend would sound ridiculous.

What woman doesn’t have a close friend?

Even staying overnight together wasn’t unusual.

Like Sophia had said, even my in-laws thought I was crazy.

Out of nowhere, my father-in-law muttered:

“Jealousy, my ass. I think he has another woman out there!”

“If I find out, I’ll break your legs!”

I shrugged.

“Don’t get worked up. Once Sophia gets here, the truth will come out.”

At that moment, my parents suddenly showed up.

My father immediately confronted me:

“What the hell, Daniel? Why are you divorcing Emily? What did she ever do to you?”

My mother looked at me reproachfully, as if everything were my fault.

My mother-in-law explained quickly:

“We didn’t want to bother you, but we had no choice. Don’t worry—we won’t let Daniel divorce her.”

Hearing my mom promise that, I sighed helplessly.

My father snapped:

“You still have the nerve to sigh? A woman as good as Emily—you won’t find another even with a lantern search. And you’re still ungrateful?”

“Dad, Mom, this is my business. Stay out of it.”

I didn’t want them dragged into this mess.

But my father refused to back off, nearly slapping me on the spot.

He cursed me, demanded I apologize to Emily immediately.

My mother tried to calm things down, telling me to let it go, that couples shouldn’t hold grudges overnight.

They all tried to persuade me not to divorce.

“You don’t understand me?” I asked bitterly. “Of all people, don’t you understand me?”

If I weren’t pushed to the edge, why would I want a divorce so badly?

“Then tell us the reason!” my parents demanded.

They’d always liked Emily, so of course they defended her.

I told them to wait.

“Once Sophia arrives, you’ll see for yourselves.”

The waiting was heavy and silent.

My parents sat awkwardly, ashamed and speechless.

My in-laws glowered in anger.

Finally, a knock at the door broke the tension.

Sophia arrived—but she wasn’t alone.

Behind her stood a broad-shouldered young man with a square face, introduced as her new boyfriend.

He was big enough to block the doorway.

Sophia stormed in, glaring at me.

“Daniel Carter, have you lost your damn mind?

I take Emily traveling to help her relax, and you get jealous?”

I didn’t argue. I just glanced at the big man behind her.

Then, out of nowhere, Sophia slapped me hard across the face.

“You’re the worst! Emily sacrificed so much for you, and you’re nothing but a worthless jerk!”

The slap was fierce, her sharp nails leaving scratches across my cheek.

Blood welled up in red streaks, making my mother gasp in distress.