On our sixth wedding anniversary, my husband disappeared with our son.

My mother and I searched everywhere anxiously. When we were about to call the police, I received a call from my husband's number.

"Kneel and imitate a barking dog, or don't think about seeing your son again."

I recognized the voice of my husband's secretary, Cynthia Leech, but my mother thought my son had an accident and was in such fright that she had a heart attack and died.

After I finished dealing with my mother's funeral, I sent my husband a soft copy of the divorce agreement.

His secretary explained in a choked voice, "Katherine, it's just the Truth or Dare game. That's how we young people play."

My husband patiently comforted his secretary with concern but only replied to my message with one word, "Whatever."

I left resignedly, and I only met him again half a month later.

***

"You have no idea how disgusting the stretch marks on her belly are. I just can't get interested in her whenever I see those marks."

Hearing Marcus Fanning's voice, I stopped outside the door with my suitcase in a daze.

Cynthia then chuckled, "Marc, I know you like firm abs. I've been working out to get a well-toned body specifically for you. Do you want to feel them?"

When I pushed the door open, I saw Marcus' hand on Cynthia's lower abdomen.

While his young secretary, Cynthia, was wearing my pajamas, sitting on the sofa in my place, nesting in my husband's arms.

They both sprang to their feet in a hurry as soon as they saw me come back.

"Katherine, I accidentally got my clothes wet while cooking."

At the sight of the suitcase in my hand, Marcus' intention to explain was replaced by a cold snort.

"Katherine Selby, how can you still have the nerve to come back? You're no longer a little girl. How could you throw a tantrum and run away from home? You failed to fulfill your responsibilities as a wife! You should thank Cindy for taking care of me during this period."

I had been busy with my mother's funeral, yet Marcus thought my absence from home was just a way I threw a tantrum.

For Marcus, a wife's responsibilities were to do all the domestic chores, bear him children, and sacrifice everything for him unconditionally.

Even though he never wanted to eat the food I cooked.

Even though I wasn't allowed custody of the child I had given birth to after ten months of pregnancy.

Without giving Marcus any reply, I turned around and walked into the bedroom to pack my things.

Cynthia followed and explained to me, "Katherine, don't get mad. I didn't know that day was your wedding anniversary. I just felt that Marc was under too much pressure lately, so I arranged a party to help him relax."

"Cindy, don't waste time talking to her. How can a housewife like her understand the pressure we face at work?"

Marcus threw a gift box over as he spoke.

"You just want money, don't you? Here you are. An anniversary gift for you."

I didn't reach out to catch the box. It fell to the ground, revealing a thin necklace inside.

What a coincidence. It was the freebie on offer for the promotion of the necklace on Cynthia's neck.

I couldn't hold back the grievances in my heart anymore. "Why did you take Howie away? Do you know how much my mother wanted to see him?"

Back then, Marcus had coaxed me to quit my job and have a baby, making me take all kinds of nourishing food.

As a result, the fetus was too big, tearing my privates when I gave birth and leaving me with stretch marks that would last a lifetime.

From then on, Marcus had become unwilling to sleep with me and stayed out all night.

While Howie, the baby I had given birth to with great effort, had been taken away by Old Mrs. Fanning when he was just one month old.

They said that as the heir of the Fanning family, the child must be trained well and must not be influenced by my cheapness.

They also said that according to the fortune teller's statement, my mother would be a hindrance to Howie and the Fanning family's fortune.

My mother and I rarely saw Howie throughout the year. She had missed her grandson so much and finally, Marcus had agreed to let her see Howie, so she had come over to celebrate the anniversary with us.

Unexpectedly...

"I've already said that not letting your mother see Howie is for the good of both of our families. If the Fanning family's fortune were affected, how could you still live the good life you have now? Don't forget that your whole family relies on my support."

Marcus felt a little guilty and snapped impatiently, for he didn't remember the promise he had made casually at all.

Seeing that Marcus and I were about to quarrel again, Cynthia tried to smooth things over, chuckling.

"It's normal for a grandma to miss her grandson. How about this? I won't go to the ancestor worship ritual. Just let Katherine and her mother attend."

For six years, my mother and I were banned from all public occasions related to the Fanning family, except for their ancestor worship ritual.

It was because the ancestor worship ceremony was a grind where one had to prepare offerings without eating, drinking, or even a breather.

No one in the Fanning family was willing to take this, so the responsibility for this grind naturally fell on my mother and me.

Each time, we would be sent away without even a chance to drink some water after working hard for a whole day.

The reason why my mother had been willing to endure such injustice was that she could see Howie at the ancestor worship ritual.

At the thought of this, my heart overflowed with sadness.

"No need," I said coldly, "My mother is dead."

My mother had heart disease and had been getting weaker and weaker in recent years.

I didn't have the guts to tell her about the changes in my marriage with Marcus and had just told her everything was fine, fearing that she couldn't bear to know it.

As my mother got older and didn't have much time left, she wanted to see her grandson more before she died.

A month ago, on Marcus' and my wedding anniversary, my mother struggled to prepare a hearty meal and happily waited for us to come home.

But by the time the food was cold, Marcus and Howie hadn't returned yet.

I made countless calls and looked for Marcus everywhere but couldn't contact him at all.

My mother was so anxious that she was sweating profusely, urging me to call the police.

Just then, I received a call from Marcus' phone, but it was Cynthia speaking.

Her order for me to imitate a barking dog took away my mother's life and also the last bit of my affection for Marcus.

I understood there was no need for me to be in this broken marriage any longer.

"Katherine Selby, I can't believe you even have the guts to tell such a lie to get my attention."

Marcus tugged at his hair in annoyance and continued, "I've already told you that I've been under a lot of pressure at work lately. Can you please stop bothering me?"

When I just got married, my career was rising.

At that time, I would still prepare breakfast for Marcus the next day even after working overtime until ten o'clock every night.

Sometimes, when he was already asleep, I would put sound insulation cotton under the cutting board so that I wouldn't disturb him.

Therefore, Marcus' excuse was indeed lame.

"Sign the divorce agreement, and I won't bother you anymore."

"Your unreasonable behavior will only make Marc dislike you even more."

There was no point in wasting time talking to them, so I just picked up my packed baggage and prepared to leave.

Marcus raged, "Never come back again if you leave today!"

I didn't even look back.

The moment I closed the door, I heard Marcus comfort Cynthia again.

"It has nothing to do with you even if her mother is really dead. Besides, it's better if her mother is dead. In this way, her mother won't affect the fortune of our Fanning family anymore. As for her, she's long since been homeless. When she calms down, she'll get back here with resignation."

Indeed, whenever we had a fight, I was the one who compromised and apologized, even though it was not my fault at all.

This time, however, he would never see me return to him.