Chapter 1 In the 30th year of our marriage , Franco Maxwell's company declared bankruptcy . And the first thing he did ? He asked me for a divorce . I refused . Instead , I spent every waking hour looking for over a dozen jobs , working nonstop . At night , I went around collecting bottles , scrimping and saving every penny to pay off his debts . I didn't spend a single cent on myself , not even when I ended up in the hospital from sheer exhaustion . Until one day , the restaurant where I worked was booked by the wealthiest man in town for a proposal . I was running around frantically , trying to keep up with the pace , and had to slip into the back to hide my sweaty , worn - out face from the guests . When I looked up , I saw my husband . Franco was kneeling on one knee , holding a three - hundred - million - dollar diamond ring , proposing to his adopted sister , Ingrid Foster . And there , standing with them , were my two children and grandchildren , the ones I had raised alone . God , they were joyfully celebrating . " Aunt Ingrid is really amazing . To be with our dad , she had to lie and say she had cancer and only had a month to live . That's when our dad finally overcame his psychological barriers and proposed to her . " " Only Aunt Ingrid is good enough for a man of our father's stature . I can barely even admit I know Mom outside . She's always stuck in the kitchen , so plain - faced and pathetic ! " " Aunt Ingrid is not only beautiful but also successful , unlike Grandma , who only knows how to cook and clean at home . We don't want Grandma anymore . We want Aunt Ingrid to be our grandmother ! " Their harsh insults felt like a punch to the gut . Right then , I realized Franco's bankruptcy was nothing but a lie . He hadn't cared about the business ; he just wanted to get rid of me to be with Ingrid - the first love he couldn't have when he was younger . All my sacrifices for this family , everything I did , had turned into a cruel joke . Overwhelmed by the weight of that cold , hard truth , I picked up my phone and dialed a number I hadn't called in thirty years . " Thirty years ago , you said you'd take me around the world . Does that promise still count ?? " My Husband Staged Our Divorce to More Mio Mirst Love 1/5 0.7 % 23:14 Mon , Aug - X Suzy's POV " Suzy , of course it counts ! Every word I said to you back then still counts for life . It's been thirty years , and you finally turned back to look at me . " His deep voice came through the phone , still full of excitement , like a man who couldn't believe his luck . Right away , he asked , " Where are you now ? I'll come pick you up . " I gently turned him down . " I can't go with you just yet . Give me a week . I need to settle a few things here , and then I'll come find you . " On the other end of the line , the man replied with a grin I could almost hear . " Okay , I'll wait for you . But , Suzy , if you dare go back on your word , I'll come over myself and drag you away ! You'll never get away from me ! " Just as the call ended , the door opened . Franco walked in with the kids , and Ingrid was with them . When Franco saw that the table wasn't filled with food like usual , his face immediately darkened . " Look at the time , Suzy ! Why haven't you made dinner yet ? " he said , complaining , " Can't you stop being lazy for once ? " I glanced at the sad , pitiful vegetables and meat my daughter - in - law , Marian , had brought back . The vegetables were the ones no one else wanted , all bruised and damaged , and the meat was leftovers , emitting a foul odor . Every mealtime , Franco and the kids would refuse to eat , claiming they weren't hungry . So , I would eat it all myself . It wasn't that I found life difficult , but I worried about their health . After work , I would collect bottles to buy fresh meat for them so that they could eat well . In reality , they secretly ate large fish and meat every day , while the spoiled food in the kitchen seemed to mock me . It felt like cotton needles stabbing my heart , a persistent , sharp ache . But this time , I didn't walk into the kitchen like usual . I sat on the sofa and refused to do what Franco asked . " I've already eaten . I'm too tired to cook . If you want to eat , go out and get something . " The moment I said it , Franco's face turned bright red with anger . He slammed the ashtray down by my feet and snapped , " You're purposely doing this , aren't you ? You know we're broke and heavily in debt , yet you still want us to spend money on eating out . You just don't want me to turn things around , do you ?! " Andrew , my son , looked at me in disbelief and chimed in , " Mom , do you really think we Chapter 1 3/5 20 % 60 % 23:15 Mon , Aug 11 . OX have a lot of money ? Aren't you worried our debtors will come knocking at our door and threaten us ? We even bought the ingredients for you , and you couldn't bother to cook a single meal ? How lazy can you get ? You're nothing like Aunt Ingrid . She's way more diligent than you ! " Karla crossed her arms and jumped in . " Exactly ! Why can't you be more like Aunt Ingrid ? She knew we were broke , so she went to the market and bought us cheap clothes - at least we had something to wear . But you , Mom ? You waste food and blow what little money we've got left ! " My daughter - in - law , Marian , and son - in - law , Dylan , said nothing , but their eyes were filled with reproach . In an instant , I became the villain . I looked at the children I had raised , now siding with the mistress , and the fire in my chest flared up . I asked coldly , " If Ingrid is so great , then let her do it . Why enjoy the fruits of my labor while criticizing me ? Who raised you ? Ingrid or me ? " At these words , their faces froze , speechless . " Everyone , calm down . Suzy isn't doing this on purpose . " Ingrid stepped in with a gentle voice , playing the peacemaker . " She must be tired . It's fine . Tonight's dinner is on me . Order whatever you want . " As she made that remark , Ingrid discreetly showcased the large diamond ring on her left - hand ring finger . 添 I had seen that diamond ring a month ago when I found it in Franco's pocket while cleaning his coat . When we got married , we didn't have much , so I could only afford a $ 9.99 ring . Franco promised me that when our lives improved , he'd buy me an actual wedding ring . Naturally , I believed the ring was meant for me . Every day , I waited with my heart pounding , dreaming of the moment he'd place it on my finger . But on our anniversary , it never came . I was then told the Maxwell family had gone bankrupt . 1 I thought Franco had sold the ring to pay off the debts , but now I realize that he never intended to give it to me at all . Hearing that Ingrid would treat everyone - my children , their partners , and my grandchildren - all looked at me with even more disdain . My grandson Tommy pointed right at me and sneered , " Grandma's useless . She doesn't do anything and won't even cook ! Why should we bring her along ? People like her don't deserve to eat ! " Chapter 1 4/5 2.7 % 23:15 Mon , Aug 11 60 % D X My granddaughter , Thalia , nodded in agreement , throwing her lollipop at my face . " Grandma is useless . Grandma is embarrassing . Only Aunt Ingrid deserves to be our grandma ! " I looked at the grandchildren I had raised , feeling my nails digging into my flesh . I couldn't hold in their insults anymore . I snapped back at them , " Fine , since you all like her so much , from now on , let her be your grandmother . " Franco saw I was upset and scoffed , " You now feel wronged , Suzy ? Isn't what Tommy and Thalia said the truth ? If you can't handle it , just divorce me , Suzy ! Do you really think we're gonna feel bad for you after all this ? " I looked at the man I had loved for thirty years and felt a profound sense of unfamiliarity . Suppressing the bitterness in my chest , I calmly told him , " You're right . I do regret it . So , Franco , let's get a divorce ."