He Refused My Daughter’s Fee, I Divorced Him

Chapter 3

"Ethan, sign it. We're getting a divorce."

Ethan crossed his arms, convinced I was just throwing a fit.

"You want a divorce over a couple thousand bucks?"

"Think whatever you want. I'll come pick up the divorce agreement later." My voice was flat, devoid of emotion.

Turning toward Amy's bedroom, I remembered something and added coolly, "I proposed the divorce, so I'll cover your lost wages for the day we finalize it."

He froze for a moment, then let out a burst of laughter. "You're a housewife who can't even come up with a couple thousand bucks. How are you going to survive without me? Alright, stop speaking out of anger and making a fool of yourself in front of Nina."

A dull ache spread through my chest.

Mrs. Davis had mobility issues, Lucy was young, and Ethan himself had developed severe allergies from years of late nights and work-related socializing. To keep the family stable, I gave up the chance to study abroad. Even though I became a top-tier rehabilitation therapist, I could only take flexible, low-paying jobs. I was reduced to a point where I couldn't even afford a couple thousand bucks for my daughter's medical care. All those sacrifices had instantly turned into a giant joke.

Seeing me remain silent, he assumed I had come to my senses and reached out to make peace. "I bought you a lipstick. See if it's the shade you like. It's a gift, no need to split the cost."

In the past, I would have taken the peace offering, but things were different now. I dodged his hand, pulled fever medicine from the fridge, and fed it to Amy. "No need. Just sign the divorce agreement."

With shifting emotions in his eyes, Ethan stepped toward me.

Just then, a sharp shattering noise came from the study, accompanied by Lucy's shrill crying.

"My new computer! Who broke it?!"

Lucy rushed out with red eyes, cradling the brand-new laptop worth over ten grand. "Dad! It must be Amy! She was jealous that I got a new computer, so she secretly smashed it!"

The warmth in Ethan's eyes vanished, replaced by a harsh tone. "Look at the wonderful daughter you raised!"

My brow throbbed, and a surge of unnamable rage rushed to my throat. "Amy went to the hospital with me at 5 a.m. and went straight to sleep the moment she got home! She never even went near her room!"

Lucy immediately stomped her feet and wailed in a shrill, piercing tone that made my eardrums ache. "It was her! Who else is in this house besides her? She was just jealous of me and did it on purpose!"

Nina stepped forward, gently holding back the hysterical Lucy, and spoke softly. "That's enough, Lucy. Amy is young. It's normal to feel jealous when seeing someone else with something new. No matter who broke it, Mommy will buy you a new one."

Her words sounded generous and gracious.

I ignored Nina and stared straight at Ethan. "Do you believe that?"

Ethan said nothing, but his silence spoke volumes. In his heart, he had already condemned Amy.

His face remained dark for a moment. Without a word, he strode into the bedroom and roughly pulled off the thin blanket covering Amy. The sudden chill and harsh movement startled the child awake. Amy opened her tear-filled eyes in confusion, her body trembling uncontrollably.

"Amy, did you break your sister's computer?" Ethan interrogated her harshly, without a trace of warmth.

Amy curled into a ball, her voice faint and raspy. "Daddy... I didn't..."

"Children shouldn't lie! Would your sister frame you?" Ethan's brow creased deeply as he pressed further.

Lucy pointed at Amy and shouted, "The computer was fine in the study and suddenly got broken. Who else could it be if not you?"

I rushed forward and held the trembling, frightened Amy in my arms. It felt as if my heart were being squeezed tightly, hurting so much I could barely breathe. "Ethan, have you gone mad? Amy just got home, she's been sleeping the whole time, and she still has a fever!"

Lucy's eyes turned red as she raised her voice. "Stop using illness to play the pity card! I have proof!"

Nina pretended to scold Lucy, yet stood to the side with the corners of her mouth curled upward.