Chapter 1

My wife, Sarah, suffered from severe postpartum depression.

Every night, she had to hide in the closet to fall asleep.

Once, I gently carried my sleeping wife out of the closet and put her back on the bed.

She woke up and cried non-stop.

The next day, her depression flared, and she ended up in the hospital.

After that, I just let her sleep in the closet.

Until our son's first birthday. Sarah stretched lazily and walked out of the closet.

I looked at her full, rosy face and immediately told her I wanted a divorce!

Sarah's eyes welled up with tears as she questioned me:

"If it weren't for having your baby, why would I have postpartum depression? And now, just because I sleep in the closet, you want a divorce?"

"Tomorrow, 10 AM. We're filing for divorce."

As soon as I said it, I turned my wheelchair, ready to leave the banquet, but Mark, Sarah's older brother, grabbed me.

"Luke, you better explain yourself!"

He glared at me, his grip tight, almost cutting off my breath.

"We're both men, I know exactly why you're doing this!"

Mark gritted his teeth, his eyes practically spitting fire, looking like he wanted to rip me apart.

"Isn't it all about sex?"

"My sister nearly died giving you a child. Have you even looked at her stomach?"

"It used to be so perfect, and now it's covered in stretch marks, like centipedes crawling all over. She gained thirty pounds having your baby, her body completely changed. And now you're disgusted with her, aren't you? Where were you before?"

Mark's words were too blunt.

Everyone present.

They all stared at me with cold, angry eyes.

I knew a distant relative who divorced his wife after she lost her figure post-childbirth. That guy's reputation was ruined in our circle; everyone talked about him like he was scum.

Seeing them about to crucify me, I was about to speak.

Mr. Henderson, Sarah's father, slammed his wine glass hard on the table.

"Luke, a man who truly loves his wife finds prosperity."

"Whose wife doesn't go through this after childbirth? If you divorce my daughter for that reason, I'll truly look down on you."

Mrs. Henderson, Sarah's mother, snorted impatiently.

"You men, your minds are always in your pants!"

"My daughter gave birth over a year ago, and she's still not fully recovered. Can't you be more understanding?"

"She's your wife, not some ancient concubine, and certainly not just for your pleasure!"

I remained silent.

Sarah's tears fell in heavy drops, her face crumpled in hurt.

"Luke, you heartless man, is that really why you're divorcing me?"

"Just because I've slept in the closet every night for the past year, and haven't slept with you?"

"Luke, is that all you ever think about? Our son is a year old now. How many diapers have you changed? How many times a day does he drink formula? Have you even cared?"

Sarah's voice was choked with sobs, but her questions rang out loud and clear.

Everyone looked at me, outraged.

"He looks decent, but turns out he has no sense of responsibility. Doesn't deserve to be a man."

"I thought he wanted a son so badly, like he had some royal lineage to continue. Turns out he can't even bother to raise his own kid."

"Now I finally get why Sarah is depressed. If I had a husband like that, I'd want to die."

I lifted my head, expressionless, and scanned the room, then sneered:

"Say whatever you want."

"Sarah, first thing tomorrow morning, we're going to the courthouse to file for divorce."

"You admit it, don't you?"

Mark clenched his fist and swung it at me.

"I'll kill you, you animal! My sister was blind to marry a monster like you!"

As his fist came flying towards my face.

Sarah's eyes widened, and she let out a horrified scream.

"Mark, don't hit him!"

My wife rushed over without a second thought, shielding me.

"He was just in a car accident, he can't fight back! If you hurt him, I'll be heartbroken!"

Mark's fist froze in mid-air.

He laughed bitterly.

"Luke, do you see? How much my sister loves you? She saw you about to get hit and didn't even think, just rushed to protect you. It's like a reflex."

"You're in a wheelchair now, practically a cripple, and she hasn't abandoned you. What right do you have to complain about her?"

"Luke, I'll ask you one more time—

Are you absolutely sure you want to divorce her?"

"Yes."

I turned to Sarah, my face blank.

Her eyes were filled with tears, shaking her head at me.

"Luke,"

She gripped my arm, pleading softly.

"I know I neglected you this past year, and I was wrong. I'll make it up to you, slowly. I'll change."

I sneered, disgusted, and shook her off.

"Stop acting. Get away from me!"

"No matter what, this divorce is happening today."

I turned my wheelchair decisively and left.

Thud.

Someone fell to their knees.