Chapter 3

Thankfully, I arrived just in time. My parents had already been taken to the hospital by kind neighbors, avoiding a real tragedy.

My mom had accidentally fractured her leg, and my dad had fainted from stress and shock. To keep them from worrying, I only mentioned there'd been a small disagreement at Mark's house.

But the next morning, Mark showed up at my parents' hospital room with a whole group of relatives, barging in without hesitation.

"Sarah, you hit my mom and think you can just run off? Do you think our family has no backbone?!"

Tiffany shouted angrily, and Mark's relatives immediately joined in with their accusations.

"You wasteful gold-digger! Your mother-in-law says a few words, and you lay hands on her? Unbelievable!"

"Sarah, you shameless woman, assaulting someone in public! Dozens of people saw it!"

"Mark's too soft on you. If I had a disrespectful, wasteful wife like you, I would've taught you a lesson long ago."

"Sarah, you owe us an explanation today!"

My parents woke up, shocked and scared by the chaos.

I had to hold back my anger and told Mark, "My parents are still in the hospital. Don't make a scene here. If you have something to say, we'll go outside."

But Brenda started shrieking again.

"Oh no you don't! I need to let your parents see what a disrespectful daughter they raised!"

Brenda tried to get to my parents, but I stepped in front of her.

My voice shook as I spoke.

"What exactly do you people want?"

Mark had clearly been waiting for that question. He threw a document in front of me and said arrogantly,

"You bullied my mom, so you need to kneel and apologize to her. After that, sign this agreement."

I read through the agreement, barely able to believe what I was seeing.

The document stated I had to hand over all future income—salary, bonuses, everything—to Mark, and get his permission for every single purchase.

That's when the ugly truth about this family finally hit me.

When Mark and I first started dating, he seemed so caring that I willingly supported his family.

But I never imagined they'd try to completely control me over something as small as a manicure. They ate my food, spent my money, and now they wanted to bleed me dry? Not a chance.

I scoffed inwardly. Mark thought I was about to cave, but then he added another demand.

"Tiffany's seeing this rich guy now, and you need to buy her new clothes and jewelry to help her make a good impression."

Tiffany jumped in: "You also need to buy me a house. I found this villa downtown, only $10 million. That shouldn't be too hard for you, right?"

"Of course, I'll throw you a bone in return," Tiffany said condescendingly. "Once I marry into that rich family, you can stay home and take good care of my brother and mom. Maybe if I'm feeling generous, I'll have my husband help you out."

Looking at this family, still delusional that I'd bow down and妥协, I simply said coldly,

"Dream on."

"Mark, I want a divorce."

The word "divorce" made Mark, Brenda, and Tiffany freeze—like they never saw it coming.

The relatives behind them were the first to recover.

"Sarah, you won't apologize AND you have the nerve to ask for a divorce?"

"You think divorce will make this go away? Think again!"