One second, I was floating on air, dreaming about inheriting millions and becoming a big shot CEO. The next second, my mother-in-law slapped a divorce agreement down in front of me. Great. Career taking off, huge inheritance… no husband! 01 Just a little while ago, a lawyer in a sharp suit showed up. He told me I was the granddaughter of some tycoon. The old man, on his deathbed, had made a will. All his shares in "Sterling Corp" were to go to his granddaughter. That’s me. On top of that, the old man left me ten million dollars! Ten. Million. Dollars!!! Bursting with joy, I headed home. The moment I opened the door, my mother-in-law, Carol, stormed over, her face like stone. Her voice dripped acid, "You don't even have a job, what took you so long? God knows what you were messing around doing out there." Before I could even snap back, she shoved a piece of paper at me. "Just sign it already. I've had enough of you." ??? I took the paper. It was a divorce agreement. I skimmed it quickly. It demanded I leave with absolutely nothing! Not a penny! My heart plummeted, but rage started bubbling up fast. "Mom, what the hell is this?" Carol snorted. "It's written right there in big letters, can't you read? Mike wants a divorce." I put the papers down. "Mom, is this your idea, or Mike's? And why should I leave with nothing?" Her voice shot up. "Sarah, use your brain! You and Mike have been married for seven whole years, and still no kids! He's our only son, the last one to carry the name. I'm his mother, I've waited seven years. I've been more than patient with you." Seriously? It's the 21st century, and she's pulling this crap?! I wasn't having it. "But I get checked every year! The doctor says I'm perfectly healthy. Mom, has it ever occurred to you that maybe… maybe Mike’s the one with the problem?" I’d actually tried suggesting Mike get checked before. Back then, Carol threw a fit, threatened to jump off the balcony, screamed I was slandering her precious son. Just like now, her eyes bulged like saucers, and she jabbed her finger towards my head, spitting venom. "Sarah Miller, there's nothing wrong with my son! The problem is you, you orphan! You're the useless one who can't even give him a child!" "For seven years, you've been a parasite! Eating my son's food, spending my son's money! And now you want to split assets in a divorce? Have you no shame!" I almost laughed out loud, it was so ridiculous. When Mike and I first got married, my salary was only slightly less than his, maybe two grand difference. He was the one who said he didn’t like his wife 'out working,' wanted a home-cooked meal waiting for him. Plus, his dad was sick back then and needed care. He begged me to quit my job and be a stay-at-home wife. Ever since I became a homemaker, I lost my financial independence and had to swallow insults constantly, just to keep the peace. And now Carol throws this in my face, calling me a parasite?! I tried to argue more, but she grabbed a broom and literally swept me out the front door. I fumbled for my keys, tried to open the door, but she'd locked the deadbolt from inside! I could hear her shouting through the wood: "Bad luck!" "Jinx!" "Useless thing that can't even have kids!" I wanted to pound on the door, scream my lungs out. But then I thought about the ten million dollars. I thought about Sterling Corp. I took a deep breath, forced down the anger, and walked downstairs to a coffee shop to cool off. Thinking about all these years… God, it felt so unfair! This house we lived in? I paid for a third of the down payment. But Carol insisted that since Mike paid the bigger chunk and handled the mortgage, the deed should only be in his name. Back then, I was so caught up in Mike's supposed 'sweetness' that I actually agreed. After we got married, my father-in-law passed away pretty quickly. Carol’s temper got even worse. She knew I had no family to back me up, and my belly stayed flat year after year. She was always tearing me down, saying I was useless, just a freeloader eating their food. The worst part? After the wedding, Mike changed completely. He never stood up for me. Whatever his mom dished out, he just looked the other way. But if I ever dared to talk back, he’d immediately chew me out. "Mom's old, can't you just cut her some slack? What's wrong with you? Always fighting with an old woman." "My mom doesn't mean any harm, she just has a sharp tongue. Let it go." Every time I heard Mike's 'mama's boy' routine, it made my skin crawl. I felt completely numb. But still, I believed divorce wasn't something to jump into lightly. I endured it. Because I was an orphan. I desperately craved a family. If swallowing my pride could keep the peace, then fine. But I never imagined that my constant giving-in would make them think they could walk all over me, treat me like an idiot, and try to screw me over completely. 2: Divorce Settlement I waited until the coffee shop was about to close. Finally, I saw Mike walking past the window. I quickly paid and hurried outside, calling his name. He didn't even turn around. I had to jog to catch up, finally grabbing his arm as he waited for the elevator. He glanced over, saw it was me, and yanked his arm away like I was contagious. "What the hell are you doing?" he snapped, disgust all over his face. We're married, and I can't even hold his arm anymore? Silently, I followed him into the apartment. Before I could say a word, he beat me to it. "Did you sign the divorce papers Mom gave you?" His tone was casual, like asking if I’d eaten dinner. I just stood there, stunned. It took me a moment to find my voice. "Do you… do you even know what today is? Are you really doing this? Divorcing me?" "What day is it? Does divorce need a special occasion?" "Mike, don't be such an asshole!" Today was our seventh wedding anniversary. And he wants a divorce?! "An asshole? Sarah, are you crazy? You can't even have a kid, and you're still leeching off us? Have some self-respect. I don't want to repeat myself. Sign the damn papers now, or I'll throw you out on the street immediately!" Mike yelled, his face tight with impatience. I felt heartbroken, but mostly just furious. "Mike, that's not what you said when you married me! Why are you doing this now?" He looked completely fed up. "Why? Does there have to be a reason? I'm sick of you, okay? And I'm cheating on you. Happy now?" he spat out. "The other woman is gorgeous, stunning. And more importantly, she's the General Manager at my company. I get in good with her, my future's set!" "She's nothing like a frumpy housewife like you. You can't help my career at all, you just sit at home all day, looking sloppy. I must have been blind to ever marry someone like you!" He got angrier as he spoke, looking like he wanted to slap me. Seeing the disgust in his eyes felt like a knife twisting in my gut, over and over. Mike always was a calculating person, always looking out for number one. I finally got it. It was crystal clear now. He married me because he needed someone to take care of his sick father. How pathetic. And I actually held onto a sliver of hope. Hope that he loved me, that he wanted to give me a home! In that instant, everything clicked into place. Fine. Divorce! I’m about to be rich and powerful. Who needs a husband like him? Not bad at all. Taking a deep breath, I made up my mind. "Okay, divorce. Fine. But let's settle the assets properly. We do this by the book." Suddenly, Carol burst out from somewhere, standing right in front of me like a raging lioness, tearing into me. "You! You goddamn orphan! You shameless piece of trash!" "What right do you have to my son's property? Pack your rags and get the hell out!" And then, she actually stormed into our bedroom, grabbed all my clothes, and threw them out into the hallway. She even spat on them and stomped on them for good measure. I just shook my head, refusing to engage with this unhinged, classless woman. I looked straight at Mike. "And you? What do you say? Same as your mother, want me to just get lost?!" Mike didn't say anything. He just glanced at his mom. Ha. Typical Mike. As soon as his mommy speaks, he clams up. How did I put up with this spineless mama's boy for seven years?! "Mike, I'm divorcing you. Say something!" I yelled, startling him. He shot me a nasty look. "My mom's wishes are my wishes. Didn't you hear her? Sarah Miller leaves with nothing. You came with nothing, you leave with nothing." "Ever since we got married, you've just been lounging around, eating and drinking well. I should be asking you to pay me back for all your expenses over the years. I'm being generous here." Mike even went into the bedroom and came back with a notebook. Inside, meticulously written down, was every single cent he claimed I'd spent of 'his' money. I was speechless. Literally speechless. What kind of freak show was this? Keeping a running tab on money spent on his own wife??? What about all the money I spent on them? All the time, the effort? "Are you sure you want me to leave with nothing? I'm asking you one last time," I said, taking a deep breath to calm myself. Mike just cursed at me, told me I was nuts. "You better remember what you said today. Don't regret it. Don't come crawling back, begging me to let you off the hook." With that, I gathered my things and walked out of that house. I gave him a chance. He didn't take it. Standing on the street, holding the evidence I’d gathered of his affair, I clenched my fists.
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