"Leave. There's nothing for you here. You're just making everyone miserable."
I froze. He was actually throwing me out.
My throat burned. I tilted my head back and laughed. "And if I don't?"
"This is my home too. Your parents are my parents too. You're my husband. What gives you the right to kick me out?"
Ray's jaw tightened. He raked a hand through his hair, as if steeling himself.
"Everything you said is true. But you make people uncomfortable. So you have to go."
His tone was iron. Absolute. No room for argument.
It felt like a nightmare—but the ache in my chest told me it was all too real.
I couldn't stop my voice from shaking. "You mean it?"
I rose to my feet, my eyes locked on his.
Ray hesitated for three seconds. Then his resolve hardened. "I mean it. Every word."
A tear slipped down my cheek before I could stop it. I swiped it away.
My hands clenched into fists at my sides. I gave myself a moment to breathe.
Then I spoke, my voice steady. "Fine. If you've already chosen someone else, I won't stay where I'm not wanted."
"But we're settling this today. A verbal agreement, recorded. Marital assets split fifty-fifty."
"Ray, you agree to that, and I'll walk out that door."