Chapter 8 At Leah Ayla's words , my mother - in - law's face turned bright red with panic , and she raised her hand , about to strike again . But the officer immediately grabbed her arm . " We're still here , ma'am . Don't think your age gives you the right to hit anyone ! " My mother - in - law struggled , her eyes pleading as she turned to me . " Joyce , Albert was just confused ! Please - say something ! Just one word from you ! Don't you care about how embarrassing this is with so many people watching ?! " The neighbors outside didn't hold back . " Your son's the one cheating , and now you're trying to guilt - trip Joyce ? You're vile ! " " Yeah ! I used to think Albert was a good man , but now I see he's just a scumbag ! Joyce , get the divorce ! This whole family's rotten ! " Hearing " divorce , " my mother - in - law shrieked , " Shut up ! " She turned back to me , her voice trembling as she begged . " Joyce , don't listen to them . Albert was just playing around with someone else . He's only ever loved you ! " I looked at Albert . Once , I thought he was perfect in every way . Now , all I could see was a coward . He'd been caught cheating , yet couldn't even speak up . Since I walked in , he'd kept his head down , not daring to face me . If I hadn't known the truth in advance , I would have actually believed he was the victim here . I couldn't believe I'd ever felt sorry for him . " Albert , don't you have anything to say for yourself ? " He slowly lifted his head to look at me , eyes filled with " love " and " regret . " His voice was hoarse as he spoke . " Babe … I know I was wrong . I really know I was wrong . " " Please , for all the years we've been together - look at everything we've built . This home … this family . Please , forgive me just this once ! " " Please , babe , I'm begging you ! " Hearing this , my mother - in - law immediately broke free from the officer's grip and bowed in front of me , clutching my hands with desperate , teary eyes . " Joyce ! Can't you show him some mercy ? You have no idea how much effort and hardship it's been for us to make a life here in the city ! Please , have pity on us and give him a way out ! " She wasn't speaking to me anymore . She was speaking to the whole room . The audience . It was as if I didn't agree to forgive Albert , I'd be some heartless , malicious woman . Suddenly , I wanted to laugh . Hardship ? Effort? Hearing those words from their mouths felt so deeply ironic . A tide of suppressed anger and disgust mixed with absurdity surged in my chest , almost choking me . I stared at the mother and son bowing before me holding me hostage with their moral pleas and manipulative pact . I couldn't help but laugh . " Hardship ? Effort ? " " Albert , do you even know how to stand on your own ? Do you ? My dad's friend from the army is the one who pulled strings to get you that job ! Albert , you don't even know what that word means . Your job ? My father's friend pulled strings for that . Your degree from a diploma mill wouldn't have gotten you an interview anywhere else . And the achievements you're so proud of - do you really not know who helped you get them ? " I turned to look at my mother - in - law , and she instinctively averted her gaze . " And the down payment for our house ? My parent's money . Your family ? Three hundred dollars - and you took it back after the wedding , calling it a tradition ! " My mother - in - law's face turned a deep purple , her mouth opened as if to speak but no words came out . " Albert . " I called his name , my voice finally carrying the weight of real emotion . It was chilling , cold enough to freeze the room . " You have talent - but not much of it . "