Chapter 5

Cory's mouth twitched as he looked at me like I was losing my mind.

"Why? Are you seriously going crazy? Why would you want a divorce just like that, stir up such a fuss, and not even cook for the family?"

"What will my mom eat when she comes back later? She exercises every day as part of her daily routine at the community center, burning all that energy. Shouldn't you prepare something to replenish her strength? Can't you be as filial to my mom as you are to yours?"

"Is this because I haven't been spending time with you? My job is exhausting enough; where would I find the time?"

"Before we got married, I made it clear that I don't like clingy women. Haven't you always been quite easygoing? What's changed?"

In my past life, Cory and I divorced two months later.

Initially, he had no intention of divorcing me; he was simply enjoying his affair.

Little did he expect that two months later, Erick would suddenly inform him that she was four months pregnant, and the ultrasound showed it was a boy.

If it had been a girl, Cory might have hesitated, but a boy was a definite yes.

He immediately proposed divorce to me.

Knowing how much I valued our daughter, he threatened me to choose either the house and savings or our daughter's custody.

I didn't want to make a scene or let our daughter discover that the father she adored was unfaithful and was about to abandon her for a son.

I feared she'd become heartbroken and depressed, which could affect her competitions and future.

So, I didn't go to court and chose to walk away without any assets, working to support our daughter on my own.

Moreover, I knew that if I gave our daughter to Cory, her future would be ruined.

With his and his mother's preference for sons, they might stop her piano lessons and even prevent her from attending college.

After Erick gave birth to a son, they'd favor him even more, perhaps even sell our daughter for dowry.

"Because I know about your affair," I stated bluntly.

His face changed instantly. "You, you're making things up! Do you have proof?"

I smirked. "Do I really need to provide proof for something so obvious? Just ask anyone at your company, and they'd know."

"But since you want evidence, we can meet in court."

Seeing I was serious, Cory quickly sat beside me to calm me down. "Kristine, don't be impulsive. Let's sit down and talk this through..."

"There's nothing to discuss." I moved aside, maintaining a cold expression.

"Let's make it quick. Sign it. The house and savings are mine, and you walk away without any assets."

"Don't force me to take this to court, or we'll both end up embarrassed."

When gentle persuasion failed, he sternly warned me, "Kristine, I advise you to think carefully."

"If you insist on the property, then our daughter's custody will be mine!"

As expected, he threatened me like in the past.

But unfortunately for him, this time he miscalculated.

Nowadays, our daughter is no longer my only concern.

Seeing my silence, Cory thought he had regained the upper hand and continued boastfully.

"If you're willing to give up the property, I might consider letting you have our daughter. I'll even give you five hundred dollars a month for support."

"If you're careful, that should cover your basic needs."

"If you refuse, don't blame me for being ruthless. Our daughter will stay with me."

"I won't pay for those useless piano lessons. I'll sell the piano, too."

I shook my head. "No need. I've already sold it."

Cory was stunned. "What?"

"Not only that, I didn't renew her piano lesson fees. From now on, she's your responsibility, Cory," I said slowly.

Cory's mouth dropped open in shock.

He never expected me to so easily give up the daughter I once cherished.

The key issue was that he didn't want our daughter as an unwanted responsibility at all!

His face shifted through a range of emotions as his mind raced to find something else to use against me in negotiations.

Unbeknownst to him, by letting go of my only vulnerability, I had become unbreakable.

Just then, our daughter finished eating and came over. "What are you talking about?"