Chapter 2

Seraphina's face was drenched in tears, her eyes wide with a mix of shock and utter betrayal.

"Liam, have you wanted to say these things for a long time?"

"Did you want to divorce me two months ago? Have you always thought I was… dirty?"

I watched Seraphina, who was practically sobbing, and felt absolutely nothing inside.

"I don't care what you think. This divorce is happening, today."

A flicker of dismay crossed Seraphina's eyes, as if she hadn't expected my attitude to be so firm.

Brenda's face instantly morphed into a thundercloud.

She was about to say something, but Arthur, my father-in-law, grabbed her wrist.

"Liam, I know this is hard for you to get over, but Seraphina is a victim here."

"She didn't want this to happen. She's suffering enough. You two are married. This is where your commitment to each other truly gets tested."

Brenda quickly chimed in.

"That's right, Liam! Seraphina has been a good wife, hasn't she? Look at her! She's so beautiful, so successful at her job. You were lucky to marry her!"

"Alright, stop being ridiculous! You're a man, aren't you? Running out on your wife now? Think about what people will say! Come on, apologize to Seraphina!"

Seraphina had composed herself by then. Following her parents' lead, she gently took my hand.

"It's okay, Liam, this isn't your fault. I know you've been hurting too these past few months."

"I don't need your apology. Let's just put this behind us and start fresh, okay?"

The other relatives from Seraphina's side, seated in the living room, also began to speak up.

"Liam, this is really not like you. No one wanted this to happen to Seraphina. You're a man; you should be more understanding."

"Actually, you're partly to blame. Tell me, Seraphina was working so late, why didn't you go pick her up? If you had, this wouldn't have happened, would it?"

"Alright, don't say things you'll regret. Divorce? You two are still young. This is nothing. You have your whole lives ahead of you."

Hope flickered back into Seraphina's eyes.

"Liam, I know you've had a tough two months too."

"I'll adjust, I promise. Let's just pretend this never happened, okay?"

As Seraphina spoke, her voice caught, and she started to choke up again.

Anyone listening would think she was making some grand sacrifice.

I took a step back, ignoring the murmurs of the relatives, and spoke in a cold voice.

"Seraphina."

"This divorce, I'm going through with it."