The Unveiled Rose

Leander trod carefully, "Honey, you don't mind, do you?"

"Oh, so she caused you to lose our baby in a tragic fall, and you're over here feeling sorry because her ex was a jerk to her?" I scoffed. "You really are a saint, aren't you?"

"Honey!" Leander stood up, frustrated. "I know losing the baby was hard on you! But you've got to understand, it was Nigel who called you to the stairwell. You slipped and fell all by yourself. She had nothing to do with it! And here you are, a woman showing no empathy for another woman whose life is being threatened. You're just here making snide remarks! I can't believe this is you!"

"Whether you agree or not... Luna will be moving in with us."

With that, Leander stormed off.

There it was!

That was Leander for you. No matter how much I got hurt or bullied...

Even if I didn't fight back and just vented a little, he'd always find a way to blame me.

Only, I used to love him and was willing to compromise for his sake.

But this time...I wouldn't.

I withdrew my cold gaze and lay quietly on the hospital bed, staring at the sterile ceiling.

Initially, I chose to stay in the hospital because I didn't want to go home and didn't want to see the detestable Nigel and Leander.

But Leander just had to visit me in the hospital every single day...

Absolutely nauseating.

...

To avoid seeing Leander, I went to my mom's house first thing the next morning.

I couldn't visit often since I moved away after getting married. She missed me and moved to this city too.

At my mom's, I could always find a bit of comfort...

My mom opened the door, her face lighting up with joy upon seeing me. "What brings you here?"

I walked up to her, wrapped her in a hug, cooing, "I missed you."

She gently hugged me, patting my back, "You've got a kid of your own and are still such a sweet talker."

Her indulgent tone softened the steel that had fortified my heart over the past few days.

In this world, only my mom would love me unconditionally.

I went straight to the living room and told her, "Mom, I want to divorce Leander."

Hearing this, she immediately closed the door and approached me, "Why?"

Because with Leander, I nearly lost my life.

I pondered how to explain it to her. But before I could say anything, it seemed she already had an inkling.

She sighed, "Did he cheat on you?"

It was much worse than that...

But I dared not tell her everything, fearing she'd be heartbroken all day.

"He claims there was no actual cheating, but he's been secretly in close contact with someone."

My mom took my hand, "That's definitely wrong of him. But Amara, when couples are together for a long time, it's inevitable that problems arise. When ordinary folks encounter issues, we need to actively find solutions. Like now, with another woman meddling in your relationship, you should clearly communicate with Leander and make him realize his mistake. Get back to living a good life together."

I knew my mom saw divorce as a sin, something that would make society look down upon you...

So, as long as this marriage could be maintained, no matter how outrageous Leander's actions, she'd want me to endure.

But...

I didn't want to.

"If you act impulsively and divorce Leander now, wouldn't that be playing right into their hands? You can't be that foolish!"

The more my mom spoke, the more she thought I was being unreasonable, tapping my forehead with her finger, "There's an old saying, 'Get a stepmom, and soon you'll have a stepdad.""