Goodbye, Toxic Love

Chapter 4

Ethan couldn’t help but burst into laughter, though it was the kind that carried more frustration than humor.

"Lauren, you’re just a housewife. How exactly do you plan on surviving after a divorce?"

"That’s none of your business." I glared at him, my resolve to go through with the divorce growing stronger.

"And what about Chris? You just going to abandon him too?"

"I don’t care anymore."

Cece couldn’t hide the smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth. Chris, now fuming like an angry little lion, shot back, "If you don’t care, then who would? You’re so evil, who needs you around?"

Cece quickly grabbed Chris’s arm, trying to calm him down, her face painted with fake concern. "Mrs. Beaufort, you really shouldn’t say things like that. Chrissy’s still a child; hearing stuff like that will only upset him."

"Ethy, please talk some sense into her. How did we go from having a perfectly fine family to talking about divorce?"

She bit her lip and pulled at Ethan’s sleeve.

Ethan’s face twisted with anger. "Fine, let’s divorce. Whoever doesn’t want it can just go to hell."

With that, he grabbed Chris and Cece, heading toward the door.

I called out to them, steadying my voice. "I’ll have the divorce papers drawn up and sent to your office. Don’t forget to sign them."

Ethan’s step faltered for a moment, but then he quickened his pace.

Cece glanced back, flashing me a victorious smile.

I knew it. She was savoring the fact that with just a simple needle, she had managed to tear apart fourteen years of marriage between Ethan and me.

I swallowed the lump in my throat.

I exhaled slowly, forcing myself to breathe through the tightness in my chest.

At this point, what was there to regret about a divorce? A husband and son like these weren’t worth holding onto.

I stood in line to pay, but my mind couldn’t stop replaying the last fourteen years of my life.

The first year after graduation, I gave birth to Chris.

After I had recovered, I thought about finding a job, but everyone told me that Ethan made enough money for us both, so there was no need for me to work.

The baby was still young and needed his mom.

So, I became a stay-at-home wife.

By the time Chris turned five, I realized how disconnected I had become from society.

My old friends had built careers and were making their mark. When we talked, all I could contribute was talk about the kids and my husband.

I remember one of my best friends telling me, "This isn’t good, Lauren. No matter what, every woman needs her own career, or she loses her value in society."

Her words stuck with me.

That very day, I started searching for jobs.

But as soon as employers looked at my resume, the only thing they saw was a decent degree and no work experience.

Very few even bothered to call me for interviews.

One day, a children’s education center finally agreed to give me a shot.

But on the first day I was scheduled for an interview, Chris got into a fight at school.

When I didn’t answer my phone, the teacher called Ethan.

By the time I finished the interview and came home, I was met with Ethan’s angry face and Chris with a bleeding head.

"Is it that I’m not giving you enough money? Why do you insist on causing trouble?"

"Do you have to wait until something serious happens with Chris before you settle down?"

Guilt washed over me, and I abandoned all thoughts of working outside the home.

I spent my days at the stove, turning my life around to care for Ethan and Chris.

But when had it all changed?

The son who used to run to me for hugs, the one who would kiss me and say "I love you, Mom," now barely looked at me without hostility.

The husband who used to surprise me with thoughtful gifts and care for my every emotion now couldn’t even be bothered to check if I was alive when I was dying.