Chapter 10
My wife is a dancer. After we got married, she feared it would affect her career and refused to have children. So, I took the initiative to undergo a sterilization procedure.
Ten years later, I received demolition compensation worth tens of millions. Suddenly, three children appeared, claiming a share of it.
After a thorough investigation, I discovered they were triplets–Mike, Mick, and Macky–born to my wife and her childhood sweetheart. She had named them after him: Mickey Field.
My mother–in–law had taken my financial support and used it to buy them a spacious apartment in her hometown. Meanwhile, Sabrina Roth frequently traveled between two cities under the pretense of performances and further studies.
Shocked and furious, I confronted her. “Why?“}
She met my gaze, unflinching. “For the childhood promise.“}
In a fit of rage, I smashed the marble coffee table. We argued, voices echoing through the house.
Relatives and friends urged me to reconsider.
“You married your first love straight out of school. So many people envy you! What’s the harm in acknowledging a few children?”
“You can’t have kids anyway. Isn’t this the perfect arrangement?”
“For all these years, Sabrina never looked down on you for not being a real man. Now that you’re wealthy, having children to inherit your fortune is a blessing.“”
Swallowing the pain, I looked at Sabrina–still youthful and beautiful in her thirties.
“Give them some money and send them away. That’s my final compromise.”
She stood tall, her expression resolute.
“They are my children, and they have the right to inherit my assets. If you don’t agree, we’ll settle this in court.“}
Coldly, I wiped the blood from my hand, my heart devoid of any desire to salvage our marriage.”
“Sabrina, let’s divorce.”
—
My mother–in–law sprang to her feet and hurled a teacup at my head.”
“You worthless man! How dare you ask for a divorce? If anyone should be filing, it’s our Sabrina! What right do you have?“}
Relatives restrained her, taking turns to talk me out of it.
Sabrina’s face darkened as she glared at me. “Zach Ward, you want a divorce? And then what?”
Surrounded by chaos–relatives arguing, my mother–in–law hurling accusations–I felt suffocated.
This was the woman I had cherished, the elder I had respected like a mother. And yet, somehow, my wife’s betrayal was being twisted into my fault.”
Sensing my shift in demeanor, Sabrina softened her voice.
“Zach, I know I’ve wronged you, but I had my reasons.”
“Mickey and I were betrothed as children. Breaking that promise to marry you was already a betrayal. He’s been alone all these years–having children was my way of making it up to him.”
“We’ve been married for twelve years. I thought you would understand me, and support me. How could you humiliate me like this in front of everyone?”
She spoke as if she had no choice, making me out to be heartless, unwilling to see the bigger picture.
Her words stirred something within me.”
I closed my eyes, remembering how, ten years ago, she had danced like an ethereal peacock in my heart.”
But my mother–in–law had already accepted a dowry from Mickey’s family and demanded double the amount to break the engagement. She claimed Mickey had promised to buy her a house and marry into their family.”
When I brought it up to my parents, my father kicked me to the ground.”
“You ungrateful son! Do you want to marry into a rural family? If you walk out that door, I’ll burn down the furniture factory and disown you!”
Through relentless efforts, I convinced him to provide the dowry and even promised my mother–in–law a down payment for a small house.
I worked tirelessly–taking side jobs, working overtime–until I secretly saved enough to buy her a house in full and move her to the city.
After we got married, Sabrina insisted on focusing on her career and refused to have children. So, I had a vasectomy and
infantil B