The Woman He Didn't Value

Chapter 5 The Breaking Point

"Simon, have you completely lost your sanity?" Chloe's voice trembled with fury, her eyes blazing.

For a fleeting moment, it seemed as if Simon had truly lost touch with reality. How could he demand something as preposterous as making her father kneel and apologize to Mia?

"He's not just my dad. He's also your father-in-law!" Chloe exclaimed, disbelief dripping from every word.

Simon's eyes were steely with contempt. "It doesn't matter whose father he is. If he's wrong, he must apologize."

Chloe was at a loss for words, her fists clenching in frustration. She never excelled in confrontations.

"Dad, let's leave. We don't owe him a second of our time," she urged. Yet, Mark remained rooted, a profound sadness shadowing his features as he faced Simon.

"Simon, think of me what you will, but don't let this poison your relationship with..."

Before Mark could finish, Simon's arm lashed out, sending Chloe's father to the ground. He dusted his sleeve as if Mark's proximity sullied him.

The sight cut Chloe to the core. Perhaps once, Simon had truly cherished her. But now, he was just a privileged heir whose affection was as fleeting as a passing breeze.

Simon's voice sliced through the air, cold and unforgiving. "At your age, harassing my friends. What's so hard about kneeling and admitting fault? Stand by your choices."

Watching Mark's hesitation, Mia emitted a derisive snort. "Old man, you don't need to kneel, but how might Simon regard your daughter after today?"

"Consider this, Simon. How repulsed must you be, knowing Chloe has a father like him?"

Chloe struggled to silence them. "Dad, let's go. Let Simon stew in his own thoughts."

Unexpectedly, Mark released Chloe's grip. "Dad?" Stunned, Chloe witnessed him slowly sinking to his knees before Mia, inch by inch, until the thud echoed. "I'm sorry..."

"Dad!!" Chloe's world crumbled. She rushed to lift him, yet he remained defiant on his knees.

"Dad, this isn't necessary!"

Tears cascaded down Chloe's cheeks as she joined him, her lips quivering in despair.

Mia's grin widened, her earlier discomfort forgotten. "Look at you, pathetic! You actually knelt when commanded."

"Chloe, how can you bear such a father? It's embarrassing," Mia jeered.

Simon glanced at the broken pair, his eyes cold. "You accused me of wronging your dad. How laughable! If he was guiltless, why did he kneel and apologize?"

Without waiting for Chloe's retort, Simon departed, Mia smugly at his side.

Mark attempted to console his inconsolable daughter. "Chloe, don't cry. As long as you're okay, nothing else is important."

He tenderly wiped her tears, while guilt and resentment clawed at Chloe's heart.

"Dad, this is all my doing. Had I not married Simon, you would never suffer like this."

As they rose, Chloe steadied herself with a deep breath. They returned upstairs, masks of normalcy in place, to accompany Chloe's mother for her check-up.

In the sterile confines of the bathroom, Chloe dialed her lawyer friend. "I need help drafting a divorce agreement."

Even over the phone, Chloe sensed her friend's shock. "Divorce? From Simon? Think about it. Finding another husband from such an elite family won't be easy."

Chloe knew this all too well. During her engagement announcement, every friend had been green with envy. Yet, regardless of Simon's prestigious lineage, he was now nothing more than a deceitful fool in Chloe's eyes.

Fists tightening around her phone, Chloe dictated each word to her lawyer with steely resolve, "I'm not joking. I want a divorce from Simon!"