Chapter 7 My mother - in - law tried to grab my hand , pulling me closer , hoping to stand together on her side of the fight . The officer looked at me sympathetically . " I think we've already gone over most of this on the phone . Your husband's affair was caught by the other man , and he came here to beat him up . " My mother - in - law immediately interrupted , pulling me aside as if she wanted to shield me . " Joyce , don't listen to them ! It's that slut , Leah ! She's the one who seduced Albert . Our Albert is such a good , honest man - she's the one who led him astray ! " Before she could finish , Joshua , who had remained silent until now , suddenly stood up . His eyes were bloodshot with rage , and he pointed at Leah Ayla , cursing her . " How dare you still cry ? You filthy whore ! " My mother - in - law flinched in fear , instinctively hiding behind me , not daring to speak . Joshua's gaze turned to me , and in that moment , I knew he understood . He knew I was the one who had sent that email , but right now , we were on the same side . He averted his eyes and fixed them on Leah , his voice colder than ice . " The kids are mine . We're getting a divorce . Leah , I can't even stand to look at you for one more second . " " No ! Joshua , you have to listen to me ! " Leah Ayla cried , stumbling toward him , trying to grab his arm . Joshua shoved her away with disgust , raising his hand as if to strike her , but the officer was quick to intervene , stopping him just in time . " Joshua ! " Even the police pitied him after being cuckolded . Joshua took a deep breath and stormed out of the room , his footsteps echoing through the silence . One of the officers exchanged a look with his colleagues , and two of them followed him out the door . Once Joshua had gone , my mother - in - law relaxed slightly . She reached out again to grab my hand . I instinctively recoiled , wanting to pull away , but by then , a crowd of curious neighbors had gathered by the door . I knew more than anything . What mattered most to this family was their precious reputation in the neighborhood , which was built over the years . And in this moment , watching them being humiliated in front of everyone was more painful to them than any divorce agreement could ever be . So , my eyes welled up with tears , my voice trembling as I looked at Albert . " Albert … what is all this ? How could you do this to me ? When you married me, you swore you'd love me forever . My dad used his connections to get you a job , to help you get to where you are today . And now ? You're cheating on me and bringing her into our home to humiliate me ! " My tearful words instantly sparked hushed whispers and sympathy from the neighbors . " Wow , Joyce's such a good wife . How could Albert do this to her ? " " Yeah , what a heartless ingrate ! " " They've always treated Joyce so well . I really thought they were sincere . I had no idea the whole Lopez family was like this ! " When my mother - in - law heard the neighbors ' murmurs , she panicked , urgently trying to explain herself . " No ! Everyone , please don't misunderstand ! It's all that woman's fault - she seduced my son ! " In a frantic attempt to prove her point , she stormed toward Leah and slapped her hard across the face . Leah staggered , stunned by the slap , clutching her burning cheek , her eyes wide with disbelief . " Mom , how could you hit me ? Didn't you tell me yourself that I was the one most suited for Albert ? You were the one who called Joyce too domineering , too unreasonable , not worthy of your son ! Now you're playing the good guy ? Ask your son who seduced whom ! "