Theodore seemed especially concerned about Jimena's pregnancy. He pushed most of his work aside to stay home with her and even hired a maid to take care of her.
This was a treatment I had never experienced during my three pregnancies.
To avoid spending time with the two of them, I spent most of my days out. I would leave in the morning, take a walk, and only return in the evening.
And so, two weeks passed quietly.
That evening, when I got home, Theodore stopped me at the door to the guest room, his brows furrowed as he questioned me, "Theodora, were the medical abortion pills in Jimena's plate placed there by you?"
I looked at him in confusion when I saw Jimena walking out of the master bedroom.
Her eyes were red from crying, and she sniffed as she spoke, "Jayla, if you don't like me living here, I can move out. But why would you hurt my baby? Don't you know how much Theodore is looking forward to this child's arrival? You couldn't keep a child, but that doesn't mean you can try to hurt mine!"
Theodore wrapped his arms around her, his face a mask of concern. "Jimena, I never knew you were so malicious. Luckily, Jimena didn't eat it, or you'd be a murderer right now!"
I found it absurd.
"Do you have any evidence that I poisoned her?" I asked calmly.
"Do we need evidence?" Theodore's eyes were dark with anger, his tone certain. "Who else could it be? Are you saying Jimena put it in herself? Theodora, Jimena is willing to bear a child for you when you can't have one. That's a blessing, and you should be grateful. Instead, you want to harm her!"
A blessing?
I scoffed.
"Sorry, but I don't think I'm worthy of such a blessing."
"Theodora!" Theodore's gaze was sharp as a knife, his face cold as ice. "Can't you be more generous? I've told you a hundred times that Jimena won't threaten your position. You're still the lady of this house, so why do you have to constantly fight with her? Jimena is kind-hearted and pure. Why can't you just get along with her?"
I was physically and mentally exhausted, no longer wanting to argue with him.
"If we can't get along, I'll move out."
With those words, I turned and entered the guest room, starting to pack my things into a suitcase. Theodore Sinclair stood coldly in the doorway, watching without offering any advice.
Jimena stood by, her eyes filled with barely concealed smugness, but she still pretended to be considerate. "Theodore, maybe I should move out instead?"
"You don't have to move," Theodore said icily, "Let her leave if she wants. It's better than her scheming against you!"
I gave a cold laugh and dragged my suitcase downstairs without looking back. This place held no attachment for me anymore. Leaving was just a relief.
I moved into the apartment I had purchased before marriage, and life was quiet and uneventful. Half a month later, I successfully received the divorce papers.
As I looked at the two divorce certificates in my hands, I felt an overwhelming sense of disorientation.
Theodore and I had been in love since university, married after graduation, and had spent ten years together, weathering both storms and sunshine, laughing, crying, loving, and hating.
Now, I was finally free. As I lost myself in these thoughts, my phone rang. It was Theodore.
His voice was filled with anger. "Theodora Bennett, today is my mother's sixtieth birthday! Did you forget? Hurry up and come here to wish her a happy birthday!"
I was about to refuse, but then I thought better of it and agreed.
Today, I'd finally tell him about the divorce.
When I arrived at the hotel, the celebration was already halfway through.
To my surprise, Jimena was there.
In the bustling hall, a group of women surrounded Jimena, offering her all sorts of attention.
Theodore's mother held Jimena's hand, speaking to her in a tone full of sincerity. "Jimena, I'm sorry you've had to follow Theodore without any title, but don't worry. If you can successfully give Theodore a son, I will make sure you take the position of the lady of the Sinclair family."
Jimena played the part of the understanding woman, acting demure as she replied, "Auntie, I don't care about titles. I'm just happy to have Theodore's child. I don't want to cause any trouble between him and Theodora."
"Jimena, you're too considerate. You don't fight for anything, don't compete for anything. No wonder some people have to target you on purpose!" Theodore's mother glanced at me as I entered, her tone dripping with disdain. "Some people should learn from you and be half as understanding! A hen that doesn't lay eggs has been occupying the nest for years, and still has the face to stay in the Sinclair family!"
I no longer cared about her subtle insults.
I walked up slowly and gave a cold laugh. "Interesting. This is the first time I've heard someone call their own son a nest."
Theodore's mother's face turned beet red with anger, her eyes shooting daggers at me. "Theodora Bennett, you were late for my birthday, and now you speak so disrespectfully. Do you still consider me your mother?"
I shook my head calmly. "No."
Theodore, hearing the commotion, stormed over, his eyes filled with fury. "Theodora, how dare you speak to my mother like that!"
I felt an unusual calmness. "She's no longer my mother."
"Theodora!" Theodore's face turned an ashen color, his teeth clenched as he shouted, "You've gotten more arrogant! You dare to offend your elders? Don't you fear that I'll divorce you?"
Divorce?
I suddenly smiled.
Our ten-year relationship had ended the moment he cheated.
What did I have to fear from divorce?
I calmly reached into my bag and took out the divorce papers, slowly handing them to Theodore.
"Theodore, there's no need for all this. I've already taken care of the divorce for you."
"What did you say?" Theodore's pupils constricted, shock flooding his face as he stared at the divorce certificate in my hand.
Just as he was about to grab the papers to see for himself, there was a sudden exclamation from behind. "Oh my god… Jimena, why are you bleeding so much?!"
