But just before stepping out, he reached up and took down our wedding photo from the entryway.
"Eleanor went through the agony of carrying my child for ten months. It wasn't easy for her. I won't abandon her to fend for herself."
His gaze met mine, cold, indifferent, stripped of the love I once knew.
"If you can't accept them, then from now on, I'll spend odd-numbered days with her and even-numbered days with you."
My fingers curled into fists. Any lingering hope that we could mend what was broken crumbled instantly.
"In that case, let's get a divorce!"
——
The room fell into a suffocating silence. Even Charles, who was about to shut the door, stopped in his tracks.
He turned back slowly, his expression unreadable, lips pressed into a thin line.
"Natalie… don't be ridiculous."
Tears burned my eyes, but I wiped them away, refusing to let them fall.
"I'm not being ridiculous. Charles, let's divorce."
His face darkened, his gaze sharpening as it settled on me with a mix of disbelief and reproach.
"Natalie, it's been twenty years. Why are you still so stubborn?"