After sending the cosmetic surgery card, when my sister-in-law was in confinement, I gave her a private cosmetic surgery card in front of the whole family. I said, "This is a good thing, it will help with a harmonious married life later on."

My husband lost face and immediately threw the card away.

Not long after, my sister-in-law got divorced. My husband blamed me for giving the inappropriate gift, "Whitney, what were you thinking when you gave her that thing?!"

I had already warned him that not listening to his wife would bring trouble and now karma had come around.

***

My husband, Brandon Perry and I had the most serious argument in our ten years of marriage. Before this, he didn't even bother to argue with me, a housewife.

Brandon said, "Whitney, what were you thinking back then? Giving my sister that kind of thing—aren't you embarrassed? I am!"

I retorted, "What's there for you to be embarrassed about? Don't all men like these things? Your phone is full of suggestive photos of female streamers. Isn't your mind filled with dirty thoughts?"

Brandon didn't expect me to look at his phone and felt a bit guilty, so he changed the subject, "You deliberately drove a wedge between my sister and her husband. Now that they're divorced, are you happy?"

I replied, "I was just thinking of your sister's best interest. After all, I speak from experience."

When I gave birth, I had a difficult delivery that turned into a cesarean section, leaving a long, ugly scar on my stomach.

My mother-in-law, Brenda Doherty, doted on her grandson and insisted I keep breastfeeding, so I lost my job and spent all day juggling housework and childcare.

Just as I managed to find some balance, Brandon used my scar as an excuse, saying it scared him and my smell disgusted him and he wanted to sleep in separate rooms. I almost suffered from postpartum depression. From that point on, our marital life completely disappeared.

Brandon didn't believe a word I said, "Come on, you just can't stand the Perry Family doing well. You're still hung up on those past issues."

I admitted, "Yes, I hold grudges. But it's all because of your inaction!"

Brandon wanted to continue arguing when my mother-in-law returned with my son, Bryan, who had just come home from school.

"What are you arguing about again? You don't even cook at home, all you do is argue with Dad and stir up trouble between Aunt and Uncle. It's so annoying!" Bryan complained with a frown, while my mother-in-law had a cryptic smile on her face. It seemed like she was behind this again.

My son was eight years old this year and just started third grade. When he criticized me alongside his father, he didn't sound like a third grader at all.

I couldn't remember when the child I had raised started looking at me without a word of gratitude, only complaints.

"When you play at home every day, you're wasting my dad's money."

"My dad works so hard to make money. Can't you make things easier for him?"

"What right do you have to tell me what to do? You're the one in this family who does nothing but play."

When my son spoke to me, I felt dazed for a moment. His expression overlapped with Brandon's in my mind. Perhaps I really didn't know how to raise a child, which was why the child I risked my life to give birth to knew how to hurt me the most.

Previously, when I was sick and resting at home, I was bedridden with a high fever. My husband, Brandon, my son, Bryan and my mother-in-law, Brenda, each came to my bedside one after the other.

"Mom, I'm hungry. Get up and make me some food."

"Where's the soy sauce in the kitchen? Mom can't find it, so why don't you get up and cook?"

"My grandson is too much to handle and Brandon can't manage. Hurry and get up to take care of your son."

They weren't concerned about me, they just wanted to see if I was pretending to be sick so they could make me get up and do housework. In the end, I couldn't get up and heard complaints all around the house as my mother-in-law cooked and everyone ate together.

In that family gathering, I was not included. I was starving and was left with nothing but a bowl of cold porridge.

"Aren't you running a fever? Eat something cold to bring it down."

I washed the dishes from that meal the next day after my fever broke. They only needed me when there was a problem. Otherwise, I was invisible. No one in this family ever listened to me, nor did anyone care about my feelings.

I looked at my son, who was impatient and said, "There's no need to argue anymore. Your dad and I are getting a divorce. You won't have a mother anymore."

This marriage should have ended long ago and it was better to leave this son behind too.

Upon hearing about the divorce, the three of them didn't seem surprised, instead, they found it laughable. "Divorce? Do you think you'll find another fool to take care of you after leaving me? Whitney, stop dreaming!" Brandon said arrogantly.

My son also mocked me, "With you looking like that, Dad's the only one who would want you."

Ignoring their ridicule, I went to pack some essentials and left. I didn't dare go home because I knew my parents would try to persuade me to return.

Over the years, I had resisted many times, but whenever I resolved to leave this life, my parents would intervene, "How old are you? You're making a fuss over such a small matter. Bryan is already so grown up, what are you doing causing trouble? You're in your thirties. Be more mature."

I had heard such words countless times and countless times my resistance proved futile. Without family to support me, I decided to be strong on my own.

The next morning, after clearing my mind, I went to my friend's law firm and asked her to draft a divorce agreement for me while also filing for divorce in court.

My friend analyzed my situation, "In my experience, you won't get much in the way of assets. Although Brandon is at fault, they're mostly ethical and moral issues, not substantial enough for the court to favor you.

However, I might be able to help you fight for custody of the child. If you can find a stable job during this time and have a good talk with Bryan, getting him to express in court his wish to be with you, it will increase your chances."

I said, "I don't want the child, just try to get me more money."

Anyone who wanted to take care of such a child could have him. Men and children would betray me, but money wouldn't.

The day after Brandon received the court summons, he contacted me, wanting to talk.

I had been staying at my friend's place for over a month without a single call from him, but now that he realized I was serious, he started to panic.

He threatened to drag out the divorce if I didn't talk to him, forcing me to go back home. As soon as I walked in, I noticed the whole family was sitting on the sofa waiting for me, even his sister was there.

My sister-in-law enthusiastically came over to welcome me and led me to sit down, "Whitney, don't be mad at my brother. I scolded him as soon as I heard about this.

I know you meant well for Charlie and me and my brother, being a man, just didn't understand our girl talk and overreacted."

My mother-in-law chimed in, "Exactly, my dear Whitney, everyone in the Perry Family knows your good intentions. It's just that silly boy who doesn't appreciate you. Listen to me, Bryan is too young to be without a mother!"

My son, who had been sulking in the corner, suddenly rushed over and hugged my leg, crying, "I don't want to be a kid without a mom! I'll get bullied by other kids!"

What a touching scene, full of loyalty and affection. If I hadn't overheard my mother-in-law's words before I entered, I might have believed it.

Just as I reached the door, I received a message on my phone. I stood at the corner to reply before going in, but I heard my mother-in-law's voice through the partially opened door, "Everyone, hold your tempers and put on a good act later. This divorce cannot happen!"

Brenda continued, "Since she hasn't been home, doing the cooking and cleaning has given me back pain. Ten years without doing chores and now it's killing me. Plus, her parents' shop, if they divorce and her parents die, she'll have sole ownership and Bryan won't get a penny!"

They were putting on this show of reluctance to lose me, but really, they didn't want to lose a free laborer and access to my parents' assets.

I sneered, "Don't think I don't know what you're up to. I have no money and you can't expect to take advantage of my parents either. You all know how much I've sacrificed for this family and how you've treated me. I'm determined to get this divorce."

Seeing my firm stance, they dropped the pretense. My son stood up first, hands on his hips and shouted at me, "You heartless woman, you're not fit to be my mom!"

My mother-in-law echoed, "Yes, I've never seen a woman who abandons her own child in my life. You're truly wicked!"

"What did our Perry Family do in a past life to deserve marrying someone like you? Fine, you can get a divorce, but give back the dowry our family gave you."

I've heard of people demanding back the dowry after an engagement breaks off, but never after ten years of marriage and a child. What a scheme to get something for nothing.

I looked at Brandon, who had remained silent throughout. Since I walked in, he sat on the armchair next to the sofa, his eyes closed, listening to music as if none of this concerned him.

But I noticed his gaze occasionally flicked toward the door, as if waiting for someone. Sure enough, soon there was a noise at the door.

When I saw who it was, I knew this wasn't going to be easy to resolve today. My parents had arrived.

My dad saw me and immediately started scolding, "Whitney, how dare you? Filing for divorce without telling us, you are going straight to court. You're really doing this! You might not feel ashamed, but we, the Carey family, do!"

Only then did Brandon lazily stand up and walk to my parents.

My dad, seeing him, apologized, "Brandon, my daughter is immature. Please forgive her."

No wonder Brandon was so indifferent earlier. He had already planned to use my parents to pressure me to drop the divorce.

He took out the card I had given his sister and acted aggrieved, "Dad, this is the card Whitney gave to my sister. I was too embarrassed to show it. I only mentioned her divorce in passing and didn't expect Whitney to react so drastically."

"I wanted to wait until she calmed down before bringing her back, but then I received the court summon letter. Look at what this has come to. I don't want Bryan to grow up without a mom," he continued.

I've seen plenty of manipulative women online, but this was my first encounter with a manipulative man in real life.

My dad took the card and angrily snapped it in half. He raised his hand as if to hit me, forcing me to withdraw the divorce application.

I realized I had fallen into Brandon's trap today and I didn't want to argue further, "This marriage is ending."

With that, I picked up my bag to leave. Seeing me about to go, my dad grabbed a fruit knife from the table and slashed at his own hand, "Are you really going to divorce?"