Chapter 1

I was away on a business trip for a month. When I returned, I discovered the smart lock on my house had been changed.

I asked my husband David for the password. His response?

Call his physical therapist. Only when she arrived could I enter.

I couldn't accept this humiliation.

At the family gathering, I pulled out divorce papers.

Everyone thought I was just drunk and joking around.

David sat in his wheelchair, staring at me in disbelief:

"Just because of a password lock, you want to divorce me?"

I looked at him coldly and sneered:

"Yes. Just because of a password lock. Isn't that enough?"

"Shut up!"

"Katherine, if it weren't for that car accident leaving me unable to move properly and needing rehabilitation, I wouldn't have become so dependent on others!"

"You're so busy with work, you can't even take care of me. The therapist knowing the password makes it easier for her to look after me. What's wrong with that?"

"This ridiculous reason for divorce—I won't accept it!"

David pointed at my nose, his eyes reddening.

I didn't even bother looking at him. I closed my briefcase and said coldly:

"Sign it. Don't make me force you."

With that, I picked up my things and left.

The entire family stared at David trembling in his wheelchair and at me walking away with determination.

They whispered among themselves.

The Katherine who used to put David first in everything—why would she insist on divorce over such a trivial matter?

David froze for a moment, then tried to wheel himself forward to grab me.

Mr. Anderson struggled to stand up.

Just as I left my seat, David's physical therapist Sophia grabbed me and shoved me back down.

"Katherine, your husband needs long-term rehabilitation and companionship after his car accident. He's extremely dependent on others' care."

"He did this just to get timely help! How can you be so harsh as his wife?"

"It's because you keep picking fights that David's emotions have become increasingly unstable!"

The relatives all sided with Sophia.

"Sophia's right!"

"I think she's just upset and taking it out on her husband!"

"Everything she has comes from this family, and she's this ungrateful? Only our David would spoil her like this, otherwise where would she be today!"

David silenced his relatives with a glance, then looked at me with a vulnerable expression, softening his voice to coax me:

"Honey, I'm sorry."

"I know my limited mobility has made you feel wronged. You never used to raise your voice at me. For the sake of our ten years of loving marriage, please calm down."

"Is it your father's medical bills again? Don't be embarrassed to ask. Your dad is my family too."

Everyone watched David in his wheelchair humble himself to coax me, nodding repeatedly, but their gazes toward me grew sharper.

"Katherine, David has limited mobility. For him to treat you this way, you should be grateful."

"Your father's situation—when hasn't our family taken it to heart? However much is needed, just say it. There's always a solution."

Mr. Anderson tapped his cane and spoke deliberately.

I knew he thought I was too proud to ask the Anderson family for help again, so I'd resorted to this desperate measure.

I looked calmly at David as he prepared to take my hand, deftly dodged it, and said flatly:

"There are no feelings left. Let's divorce."

The entire room fell deathly silent.

David tried to get closer to me, shouting through tears:

"Katherine, don't lie to me..."

I stepped back two paces, avoiding his touch.

"The truth!"

"Let's end this here. Leave each other some dignity."

David froze in place, stunned.

I ignored everyone and got up to leave.

"Crash."

A glass smashed hard in front of me. Sophia had thrown it.

She rushed forward, slapped the divorce agreement back at me, and pointed at me furiously:

"Katherine, do you have any heart at all?"

"David gave up an excellent opportunity to develop his career overseas to marry you! He loves you so much! This is how you repay him?"

"Now that he needs care, you're abandoning him!"

"You're absolutely ungrateful!"

I looked calmly at the agitated Sophia, finding it laughable.

"Sophia, my divorce with my husband has nothing to do with you, does it?"

Sophia grabbed my collar, spittle flying as she shrieked:

"You still know he's your husband!"

"Do you have any conscience? For your seriously ill father, how much money has the Anderson family spent! Don't you know in your heart?"

"If David hadn't been softhearted and liked you, with someone like you, your father would have been finished long ago!"

I kicked Sophia. She stumbled backward.

"Get lost. A family gathering isn't the place for a physical therapist to boss people around."

David suddenly wheeled himself between me and Sophia.

"Katherine, why are you taking your anger out on her! She's innocent!"

"I'm hitting someone who can't keep her mouth shut!"

I glanced at the two people on the floor in their intimate position, my tone becoming even more resolute.

The relatives' cursing immediately grew louder.

The abuse contained a wholesale denial of my ten years of dedication.

They said I was ungrateful, that David had tolerated so much by marrying me.

Sophia patted David's hand: "It's okay, David. I was wrong."

"I'm an outsider. I shouldn't interfere so much with Katherine. Don't get upset, be careful of your health."

Her tone was aggrieved as she shook her head and sighed.

"How could this be your fault."

The heartache in David's eyes was practically overflowing. He looked up with a tearful voice:

"Honey, do we really have to make everyone uncomfortable?"

"You know I love you. All the relatives are here today. Can you give me some face? Let's go home and talk it through properly?"

His tears fell one by one onto Sophia's chest.

I just found it ridiculous.

He cried even harder.

The relatives all comforted David.

With him as a contrast, I became everyone's target.

"Katherine, you've taken care of David very well all these years."

"I've seen your capability and sense of responsibility with my own eyes."

"Tell us honestly, what really happened? If it's the Anderson family's fault, we absolutely won't shirk responsibility."

Mr. Anderson limped over with his cane, trying to persuade me kindly.

But I still kept a straight face, unwilling to accept this favor, saying coldly:

"This marriage must end."

Mr. Anderson coughed violently in anger, his face flushing red.

David anxiously wheeled closer, grabbing my hand and pleading, "Honey, don't leave."

Seeing I remained unmoved, he shouted:

"You must be having an affair!"

I looked at him calmly, saying nothing.

The cane slammed down hard as Mr. Anderson sternly rebuked:

"Katherine!"

"Everything you have, from head to toe—which part didn't come from Anderson family resources? Moreover, you still have a father to care for!"

"Live peacefully, or leave the divorce with nothing—you choose!"

"I advise you to think carefully. You have two days."

It sounded like a threat.

The onlookers' faces were filled with anticipation of my apology.

I shook off David's hand forcefully.

And strode out the door.

As soon as I got in the car, someone handed me a document.