Chapter 3

I guessed my mother-in-law left.

She wouldn’t be back before dinner.

I opened the door to see the living room, apart from the mess, only my father-in-law in his wheelchair.

I pretended not to see.

I went to the study and turned on the computer.

Started looking for a job.

My English is truly good. I studied Business Trade in community college and love English, never giving it up.

I wrote my resume and sent it to over a hundred companies.

After that, I went straight to the bedroom.

Laid on the bed and started sleeping.

I was too tired, didn’t want to think or care about anything.

“Where’s the food, why hasn’t anyone cooked?”

“Are you dead, lying at home not cooking, not cleaning the floor.”

“Ethan, look at the woman you found, lazy and useless. Lying at home not even cooking. Is she asking for a beating?”

My mother-in-law’s voice woke me, I impatiently pulled the covers over my head.

“Get up.” Ethan came in at some point.

I got angry, sprang up, “What’s wrong with you? Can’t you see I’m sleeping?”

Ethan snapped, “Sleep, sleep, sleep, it’s still early. Why haven’t you cooked dinner?”

“I’m not eating.”

“Not for you, mom wants you to cook, why haven’t you?”

I was surprised, “Are you deaf or dumb, I said I’m not eating. Whoever eats, cooks.”

“You’re doing this on purpose, what did my mom do to you? Nora, don’t push it!”

“I’m pushing, what will you do about it? Divorce me, leave! Go find your precious Grace! Let her serve your whole family.”

Ethan took deep breaths, “Fine, don’t cook, let the kids starve.”

I rolled my eyes, same old trick, nothing new.

While we argued, the two kids came home.

Lily and Logan are twins, nine years old this year.

Logan saw us arguing as soon as he entered, “Mom, why are you arguing with Dad again? Can’t you be quiet?”

Lily nodded, “Yeah, Mom, your voice is so loud. And you didn’t pick us up today.”

Ethan sternly said, “Look at your mom, what has she become? Don’t ever learn from her, like a shrew, uncivilized.”

I almost choked with anger.

I coldly looked at the two I gave birth to.

Genes are indeed powerful, Logan and Lily completely inherited the selfish traits of the Ethan family.

They always saw me shouting at home, and always stood by Ethan.

In the past life, when I was dying, they thought of throwing me out.

Not taking me to the doctor.

I’ve figured it out, husband and children mean nothing.

A husband and children like this, I’d rather not have.

I smiled coldly, “Fine, I won’t argue with your dad. Hurry and take him out, I have a headache today. You two don’t bother me.”

The two little ones looked at each other, not understanding why I stopped arguing just like that.

Every time they see me, it's during a loud argument at home, and they always take Ethan's side.

In the past, when I was seriously ill, all they thought about was how to get rid of me, instead of taking me to see a doctor.

I've finally figured it out; who needs a husband and children like this? I'd rather not have them.

I forced a smile and said, "Okay, I won't argue with your dad. Go ahead and take him away; I have a headache today. Don't come in and disturb me."

The two kids exchanged puzzled glances, not quite understanding why I suddenly stopped arguing.

Ethan snapped, "The kids are home, and you're still in bed? Go make dinner."

I ignored him completely.

Ethan shouted, "Nora, didn't you hear me?"

Seeing no reaction, he continued, "Are you deaf? I'm telling you to make dinner. How long are you going to keep this up? I told you, I was just having a normal conversation with a student. Aren't you being too controlling? What will others think of me?"

I got up and motioned for the two kids to come over.

When Lily and Logan came, I said, "I'm not arguing right now; it's your dad who's yelling. Can you ask him to quiet down? He's a professor but has no manners. Don't learn from him; he's acting like a madman."

The kids looked up at Ethan, "Dad, stop arguing."

My mother-in-law barged in, pushing the kids aside, "What do you two know? Your dad is disciplining his own wife."

Lily got pushed and immediately fell, crying loudly.

My mother-in-law sneered at me, "What are you crying for, you worthless girl? Did someone die in the family for you to cry like this?"

In the past, I would have rushed to hug Lily and argue with my mother-in-law.

But now, I'm not that naive! The kids used to be swayed by her words, forgetting everything from when they were small. They'd tell me to be forgiving. Now, I want to see if they remember her kindness without my protection.

Ethan frowned at his mom, "Alright, mom, enough. Go make dinner."

She widened her eyes, "Me? What about her?"

Ethan was speechless, "She's not feeling well today. This time, you do it."

I looked at her coldly.

See, if you're determined enough, you can make anything happen.

After she left, Ethan took the kids out.

I called after him, "Don't forget to go to City Hall tomorrow to get the papers."

Ethan turned sharply, "Fine, we'll go. Just don't regret it."

That night, I didn't bother with anything. My mother-in-law clattered around in the kitchen, complaining not just about me but about the kids too.

I didn't help the kids with their homework either, leaving Ethan no choice but to do it himself.

Through the walls, I could hear Ethan's frustrated voice.

I found it amusing. Before, when I helped, everyone said I had a bad temper and couldn't teach well.

With Ethan helping, my mother-in-law didn't dare say a word.

Finally, after the kids were bathed, my father-in-law tapped the floor with a bamboo stick.

My mother-in-law made it for him; whenever something happened, he'd tap the floor, and I'd go over.

Tonight, I certainly wouldn't.

"Nora, hurry up. Your dad made a mess, come clean it up."

"Didn't you hear me? Are you deaf?"

She banged on the door loudly.

I stepped out and said coldly, "I'm about to divorce Ethan. I have no obligation to take care of him. Ethan's the filial one, ask him."

"You heartless woman, Ethan was unlucky to marry you."

I calmly replied, "Regret it? Good, hurry up and divorce. There are plenty of women out there waiting to marry your son."

It felt so satisfying!

She couldn't bear for Ethan to take care of his dad, so she cursed while cleaning up after him, dealing with his mess multiple times.

The next morning, I got up and started packing.

I heard her complaining in the kitchen, "Son, are you really going to divorce? My old arms and legs were exhausted last night. Who'll do the chores in the future?"

"Mom, don't worry. I'm just using divorce to scare her. Even after signing, there's a three-month cooling-off period! She'll definitely regret it by then. In the meantime, endure a bit, let her know the house runs the same with or without her."

"Once she's quieted down, she'll take over these tasks again."

She laughed, "You're smart. Don't spoil her, give her face, and she dares to confront me."

Ethan smugly said, "I know. She’s most afraid when I’m angry. Once I get mad, she’s like a quail. This time, we'll teach her a lesson."

"Listen to you, son."

I sneered, remembering they did this in my past too.

They agreed to the divorce, but before reaching City Hall, I feared Ethan taking the kids. I backed out before even getting there.

From then on, I was always beneath Ethan.

Whenever Ethan cheated, he'd talk about divorce, but by then, I no longer had the courage for it.

Ethan saw me sitting on the couch with disgust, "Aren't we going to divorce? Let's go!"

The kids hadn't gone to school yet. Hearing about the divorce, they looked shocked, "Mom, are you really divorcing?"

I nodded, "Your dad said he'll take you two with him. So pack up. After the divorce, you'll move out with him. He has money and will buy you a big house."

Logan eagerly nodded, "I want Grace to be my mom. She’s so gentle, helps with my homework, and always smiles at me, not like mom who's always strict."

Lily added, "I want Grace too. She's so pretty, mom's not pretty. Will I have a pretty mom picking me up from school soon?"

I laughed, "Then you should help mom convince dad to marry Grace. You'll soon have a happy life."

My mother-in-law rushed out, "What? Move out? This is my son's house; I'm not moving."

Ethan looked annoyed, "Nora, are you really pushing me like this?"

"Ethan, how is this pushing you? We're divorcing. You can't live in my parents' house with Grace, right? She won’t be happy seeing traces of me everywhere. You're a professor; surely you don't want to take your ex-wife’s pre-marital property, do you? What would people say?"

Ethan, with a grim face, came to City Hall with me.

I was smiling, standing out among the divorcing crowd.

The staff quickly handed me the papers, "Check this agreement. The kids go with the husband; the wife leaves with nothing. No savings, see if there are any issues."

I said, "No problem."

Ethan nodded reluctantly.

"What kind of man lets his wife leave with nothing? Disgusting!"

Ethan turned and glared at the person.

I left City Hall. In 30 days, I'd be completely separated from that family.

"You better pack up and move out soon. I'll pay child support on time."

Ethan said nothing and turned away.

Back home, I saw my mother-in-law with a sour face feeding my father-in-law.

Seeing me, she put down the bowl, "You still know how to come back? It's so late. Lazy all day, not even making a meal."

"Auntie, you have hands and feet, can't you cook yourself?"