Chapter 5

Taking a deep breath of fresh air, I immediately started looking for a place to live.

My standards were low enough that I quickly found a rental for $280 a month.

Fortunately, I still had some savings. Lately, I'd been delivering food for an extra hour every day because Chloe's birthday was coming up, and I wanted to buy her a gift.

After a quick clean-up, I went out to buy necessities.

Lying on the bed in my small room, even with the faint smell of mildew, I could stretch my legs and didn't have to live in fear. That night, I slept exceptionally soundly.

The next morning, I left early.

From now on, I would live for myself.

Just as I was about to accept a delivery order, I was surrounded. At the head of the group was Scarlett's mother, Brenda.

"Alex, are you even human? Abusing my daughter, and then you dare to ask for a divorce!"

A group of angry women started hitting and kicking me.

Luckily, I followed traffic rules and wore a helmet, or I'd have lost at least a third of my hair.

I broke free from their encirclement. "Who are you all?"

The women chattered angrily, "We're Scarlett's fans! We finally caught this scumbag."

"You hurt Scarlett, she cries herself to sleep every night."

"You deranged monster, we're acting on behalf of justice!"

"You're the guilty party! How dare you leave Scarlett! You're getting too big for your britches!"

I slowly said, "You're Scarlett's fans, so you want Scarlett to live a better life."

"Of course!"

"Scarlett's products are the best!"

I immediately replied, "Then your logic is flawed. I'm an abuser. A divorce would be a great thing for Scarlett, freeing her from misery. Why are you all opposing it?"

That one sentence silenced them all.

Divorce meant liberation. Scarlett could start a new life; it was cause for celebration.

Brenda pointed at me. "Alex, don't try to twist things around here. We respect Scarlett's wishes; she decides whether to divorce or not. You're an abuser, what right do you have to suggest leaving? I command you, go home right now!"

I chuckled softly. "You really are a good mother, aren't you? You think your daughter isn't suffering enough, so you're forcing me back to abuse her?"

Some of Scarlett's fans looked thoughtful; they must have sensed something was off.

Brenda saw things were getting out of control. "Alex, just you wait."

After delivering her threat, she led the group away.

After completing a few gig deliveries, I went to a law firm to find a divorce lawyer.

The firm's most famous lawyer met with me. After I explained my situation, she apologized and said she couldn't help me.

I visited several more law firms, and they all rejected me.

I sensed something was wrong. One or two firms might refuse, but all of them? To turn down business?

I opened my phone, intending to research legal knowledge online, but I saw a video posted by the first lawyer who had met me.

"Scarlett's abusive husband came to me, begging me to take his case."

"I don't do anything that harms Scarlett. I refused him outright and even warned my colleagues about the risk."

"He left like a kicked dog. Sisters, don't you think I did the right thing?"

So that's it.

I never expected divorce to be this difficult.

Soon, I scrolled past Scarlett's live stream. Chloe sat beside her, her small face scrunched up in a tearful pout.

Scarlett tearfully claimed she still had feelings for me, and even though I abused her, she didn't want a divorce. She wanted to give me another chance.

Fans flooded the comments, comforting Scarlett, telling her she was doing great, not to put too much pressure on herself, and that they would support her no matter what she decided.

Scarlett wiped away her tears and started pushing product links.

Since Scarlett was so good at playing the victim, I saw no need to hold back.

I directly posted a comment.

"Scarlett, this is Alex. Do you dare to video call me live?"