Chapter 1~

"So you returned home with nothing?" Susan yanked as Alex just walked into the sitting room. The air in the room felt heavy as her piercing gaze bore into Alex who tried to avoid her gaze.

"I can't believe you've brought us to this point, Alex," she spat, her tone laced with disdain. "You're nothing but a burden to this family, unable to provide for my daughter and the grandchildren properly."

Alex, struggling to find the right words, sighed deeply. "Mother, I'm doing my best. The economy is tough, and finding a stable job has been challenging. I love your daughter and the kids, and I'm working hard to make ends meet."

"Love doesn't pay the bills, Alex!" She retorted, her eyes narrowing. "You've been married for years, and what have you achieved? Nothing! You're dragging us down for goodness sake."

He was silent, unable to explain himself further, but Susan didn't stop with her nagging attitude.

She scoffed, eyes narrowing. "Your 'best' isn't good enough, Alex. We didn't sign up for poverty. I expected my daughter to marry someone who could take care of her properly."

Alex's jaw tightened, but he restrained himself. "I'm working extra hours, looking for better opportunities. I haven't given up."

"Oh, spare me the excuses," Susan retorted. "You're just not trying hard enough. Maybe if you were a real man, we wouldn't be living like this."

He took a deep breath, attempting to maintain composure. "Mother, I love your daughter and the kids, and I'm doing everything I can."

He tried to maintain composure. "I'm not asking for your financial support. I just need understanding and encouragement. We're a family after all, and I'm doing everything I can to provide."

Susan scoffed, dismissing his words. "Providing? You can't even support us. You're a failure, and I won't let my daughter suffer because of your incompetence."

He felt twice as frustrated as he already is. "I've been actively searching for better opportunities which you and everyone else knows about. Give me time, mother. I promise things will improve."

Susan, unfazed, pointed a finger at him. "Time is a luxury we can't afford to waste on people like you. I have no time for your silly stories and means to defend how useless you are to this family. I need to see some real effort. And speaking of effort, the toilets are filthy. Clean them if you're capable of doing anything right."

Anger surged within him, but Alex swallowed it down. "Fine, I'll clean the toilets. But please understand, I'm trying my best, and your constant insults don't help."

As he headed to the bathroom with a cleaning cloth in hand, he couldn't help but feel hurt. The everyday yelling and insult was becoming too much for him to bear, but he decided not to complain due to his love for his wife, Jane.

The sound of the toilet brush against porcelain echoed the silent atmosphere.

After finishing the task, he returned to the living room, hoping to reason with his mother-in-law. "Mother, I am done with the toilets." He told her but she ignored him. "Mother?" However, his attempt was met with another blow.

"Oh, come on, Alex just give me a second to breathe." She barked.

"I'm sorry," he mellowed his voice. "I only wanted to inform you that I am done with the toilets." He apologized, this time, not minding if she was listening or not.

Jane slowly walked down the stairs with written anger on her face as she stared sternly at him. "Mother, what's the problem?" She asked, neglecting his presence.

Lately, Jane has been acting cold towards him. Each time he tried asking her what the problem was, she would ignore him or probably tell him that everything was alright.

Alex never complained, he endured everything for the love he has for her and his kids. "Jane, it's nothing serious. Mother and I..."

But Jane's cold voice cut him short. "I wasn't asking you, Alex, I asked my mother."

She took her gaze off him, staring at her mother who was wearing a frown look. "Is it not your so-called husband who has decided to be a burden rather than being a sole winner of the house."

Jane swallowed, her expression turned to something Alex couldn't comprehend. "Mother, you don't have to worry about him for the meantime. Everything will be over soon." She explained.

"How will everything be over when this good for nothing still shares the same roof with me?" She scoffed. "For damn sake I can't take the shame anymore, it's suffocating me already."

Now looking at him, Jane's low voice echoed the room. "Alex, can I have a word with you in the room?"

Alex felt uncomfortable with her request but he couldn't say no to her. Without saying any further word, she turned, heading for her room. Alex followed behind, silently praying it wasn't going to be something hurtful than his mother-in-law's complaints.

He pushed the door open, walking in to meet Jane standing in the middle of the room. "What is it you want us to discuss?"

She nonchalantly dropped a set of papers on the table. "Sign this. I've had enough of your excuses. It's time to end this farce of marriage."

Alex's eyes widened as he picked up the document – divorce papers. "Jane, what's the meaning of this?" He questioned, "Jane I need an explanation?" His voice was a bit loud when she said nothing.

"It's obviously clear to the both of us that this marriage can't continue with the way things are going. I am sick and tired of keeping quiet and acting like everything is alright."

"Jane, we can work through this. I won't let our marriage crumble over financial struggles." He tried to explain.

She smirked coldly. "Actions speak louder than words, Alex. Sign or leave. It's your choice."

The room fell into a heavy silence as Alex stared at the papers, contemplating whether or not to sign the document. "What about the kids?" His voice was low, barely above a whisper. "What will you do about it?"

"Don't worry about the kids, I can take care of them myself. All I want you to do is just sign the god-damn document and leave my house for good."