My Husband Regretted Signing Divorce Paper

On my birthday, the first gift I received was a suicide note from my student, Michele. In the letter, she wrote that she was no longer innocent and felt ashamed of her past experiences. The person who assaulted her was my husband. Although I had doubts, saving her was the priority.

When the police and I arrived at the rooftop where Michele was, she was clinging tightly to the railing, her body swaying uncontrolably in the wind.

I rushed forward, trying to pull her up, I will definitely make him cooperate with the investigation. If it's true, whether it's putting him in jail or something else, I will help you. Please come up first, okay?

Hearing this, Michele indeed quieted down, her eyes red, Then you can divorce him and give your husband to me? I don't want my child to be born without a father.

I was stunned. I never expected her to use this to threaten me into divorcing her.

Just then, Caleb rushed in with a divorce agreement. Without even glancing at me, he began to berate me, "Look at you, you've gone so far as to have your student threaten suicide!"

I looked at him, a chill running down my spine. Before I could hesitate, a gust of wind blew and Michele swayed downwards again.

Startled, Caleb quickly took two steps forward, gently coaxing her, "Michele, don't be impulsive. I'll definitely give you and the child a home. I even bought a Maybach and put it in your name. Come on up, okay?"

I suddenly remembered seeing the new car covered in the garage when I left this morning. I had thought Caleb had finally come to his senses and prepared a gift. I never imagined it was just a toy to appease his mistress.

We dated for seven years, married for three. In those ten years, this self-proclaimed romantic and sentimental man had only ever given me a box of 9.9 dollars puzzle blocks.

Now I understand, it wasn't about being romantic and sentimental; it was that everything I did with someone I didn't love was painful. Since that's the case, I didnt mind letting those in love be together. But burn in hell.

...Hearing the Maybach, Michele was overwhelmed with excitement, "My man still loves me the most."

With a mix of coaxing and persuasions from Caleb, Michele finally obediently allowed herself to be rescued. As soon as she landed, she immediately fell into Caleb's arms, pulling his hand to her chest.

She said in a coquettish voice, "I was so scared just now, Caleb, feel my heart, are you scared"

As she spoke, she secretly gave me a provocative look.

Caleb gently reprimanded her, "How could you joke with your life? That's too reckless."

The cloying atmosphere made me feel uncomfortable. My heart felt like it was being squeezed tightly. Even on the rooftop, the air felt incredibly heavy, making it hard for me to breathe. The people around looked at each other in bewilderment, even the police were at a loss for what to do at this scene.

Finally, a policewoman couldn't stand it anymore. She coughed loudly, "This lady hasn't signed the divorce papers yet. Mind your manners."

Michele's face turned deathly pale and she stared at me. Fearing she might act impulsively, Caleb tried to appease her.

He turned to me and scolded, "Didn't you hear me? Sign it quickly. Don't end up with the blame for killing a student."

His face was contorted with rage. That face I'd known for ten years was now so grotesque I didn't recognize it.

Even the surrounding police officers started urging me, "Just sign it already, it's a matter of life and death."

"Everyone knows you're wronged, but the most important thing is to calm her down first, after all, she's pregnant."

Someone even picked up the divorce papers and handed them to me. I took the paper and pen, glanced around and saw everyone waiting expectantly for me to sign. I felt a huge weight pressing on my heart. Was her pregnancy a reason for her to bully me and divorce? But meeting Caleb's murderous gaze, I knew I had to give in to her.

After signing, I spoke hoarsely, "Is this alright now?"

Caleb opened his mouth, hesitated and finally uttered, "Why bother..."

He was the one who forced me to sign, so why was he the one feeling wronged afterward?

I slammed the paper into his arms, utterly exhausted. "Take your mistress and get out."

As I turned to leave, I heard Michele's accusatory voice behind me, "Miss Patricia, you still resent me, don't you?"

I felt utterly drained. My husband of ten years and the student I had painstakingly nurtured both abandoned me. They even met through my introduction. Shouldn't I show pure resentment?

Seeing my silence, Michele immediately jumped to the railing. A gasp rippled through the crowd. She glanced down at me out of the corner of her eye, then gave me a bitter smile.

"If I can't get your forgiveness, I'd rather die!" she exclaimed.

Then she collapsed over the railing. Almost simultaneously, Caleb rushed over, slamming me against the wall. But he missed. Caleb could only vent his anger on me again.

He glared at me fiercely, his eyes bloodshot, "If Michele gets hurt, I'll never let you get away with this!"

It wasn't until I saw Michele fall onto the safety cushion that I understood the meaning behind her triumphant smile as she fell. But Caleb didn't see it. Or rather, biased people never see it.

He sighed in relief, pointing at me through gritted teeth, "Don't try any more of those 'playing hard to get' tricks on me! If you hadn't provoked her, Michele wouldn't have jumped off the building in a fit of anger!"

I lowered my head and gave a self-deprecating smile. See, even if it wasn't my fault, he would firmly believe that I deliberately sabotaged her.

After returning home, it got dark. Thinking about how Caleb carried Michele away without looking back after leaving the police station, I felt incredibly depressed.

I picked up the carefully prepared dinner laid out on the table and gave a self-deprecating laugh. For ten whole years, Caleb had never let me cook. I never imagined that my first time cooking would ruin our wedding.

After throwing everything into the trash, something poked my foot. Looking down, I saw Caleb's wedding ring, with a childish brown hair clip stuck to it. They must have accidentally ripped it off in the heat of the moment.

I felt a wave of nausea. The scene of our wedding flashed before my eyes, Caleb holding me tightly and saying he would never betray me. He would never be like my heartless father, favoring his mistress over his wife. He would never leave me alone and helpless.

Tears streamed down my face as I nodded vigorously through my blurred vision. But he hadn't kept a single one of those promises. As for Michele, she saw me as her enemy rather than her teacher. And that ring we exchanged, engraved with both our names, now lay on the floor.

I thought I could hold back, but the physiological tears still wouldn't stop flowing. I bent down to pick them up, gently rubbed them between my fingertips and then threw them in the trash.

When exactly did this begin?

Was it love at first sight when I first introduced them to each other at the dinner table?

Or was it later, because I was busy with my exchange program abroad and entrusted Michele to Caleb, we saw each other more often and feelings developed over time?

I was lost in my own thoughts and didn't even notice that Caleb had returned.

He spoke in a hoarse voice, "Once she's calmed down and given birth, I'll send her away and remarry you."

I snapped out of my daze, took a few steps forward and slapped him hard across the face, "What do you take her for? A cheap object? You think you can just send her away whenever you want? I never realized you, Caleb, were so capable, letting her decide her fate?"

His face was undisguisedly fierce, "It's because of your defiant attitude that I cheated on you! I've never received a single bit of warmth from you."

I spat in his face, interrupting him, "I think I just don't get compliments."

After a long standoff, he sighed, "Why won't you give in to her? Michele is all alone here, with no one to rely on. How can she face anyone after all this?"

I shrugged, "So I agree to the divorce and I'll give you to her."

I wanted to appear indifferent, but the words of surrender still brought tears to my eyes. Because I didn't want to be looked down upon, I rarely cried in front of others and Caleb was no exception. It was obvious to him that for a moment he was at a loss, yet filled with expectation.

But after waiting for a long time, he didn't lower his head as expected. He angrily turned and stormed into the bedroom. Less than ten minutes later, he came out carrying his luggage. It seemed he had been prepared for this day for a long time.

Just before leaving, Caleb turned back and harshly took down the family photo hanging on the living room wall. It was a photo I had insisted on taking with Caleb and my mother the year we got married. Although she was quite dislike Caleb, she didn't want to spoil my mood, so she forced a smile. I never imagined that this would be the last photo of her in her life.

I looked at Caleb warily, "What do you want to do?"

Before I finished speaking, he slammed his hands down and the photo frame shattered. I froze on the spot, feeling my vision suddenly stretch out, leaving only shards of glass reflecting the light. He picked up the photo and tore it to shreds, as if disposing of a garbage item.

His voice held a hint of revenge, "I was afraid you'd be disgusted by me, so I destroyed it for you."

The loud slam of the door slammed shut woke me. Trembling, I walked to the pile of shards, but no matter how I pieced them together, I couldn't reconstruct my mother's face. I knelt there all night, clutching the pile of scraps.

Until my phone screen lit up along with the sun.

Caleb: [3 PM, see you at the City Hall.]

University: [Your application to study abroad has been approved. You'll depart next Tuesday.]

Although I hadn't slept a wink all night and my gait was unsteady, I still arrived fifteen minutes early, standing by the roadside in front of the City Hall, waiting.

Because Caleb was an extremely punctual person. Once, I was stuck in traffic and was two minutes late for a date. He impatiently abandoned me and went home alone. From then on, I always arrived early for dates with him.

Sure enough, just as 3 PM arrived, Caleb appeared in my sight, carrying a large bag of things. I looked closely and saw that it contained some mangoes.

He noticed my gaze, casually pulled one from the bag and handed it to me, "Want some?"

His tone was calm, even somewhat gentle. It was as if we weren't there for a divorce, but as a couple getting married. My heart suddenly ached.

I waved my hand and turned to walk towards the City Hall, "Thank you, but I'm allergic to mangoes."

He froze, as if he were seeing me for the first time.

When we reached the door, we realized it was a holiday and the City Hall was closed. I even faintly heard Caleb sigh with relief, even though his brows were furrowed. He must have been hallucinating from staying up all night.

I said weakly, "Maybe next time, I'll go back now."

He responded softly, "Okay, next time there definitely won't be any mistakes."

Then he turned to leave. I felt a tightness in my chest; his words made it seem as if I hadn't checked the time and wasn't prepared.

The already gloomy sky couldn't hold back any longer and within moments, large raindrops began to fall. We were frozen in place by this sudden turn of events.

Luckily, I always carry an umbrella. He knew that too and looked at me. In that instant our eyes met, memories flooded back. The image of that thinly dressed boy, soaked by the rain, turning to look at me, overlapped with my own now.

Overwhelmed by emotion, I blurted out, "Remember when we first met...?"

"I lent you my umbrella. I told Michele I'd take her out to play at four o'clock."

I snapped back to reality. I realized then that the shimmering light in his eyes back then had long since transformed into an emotionless calm. The cold wind, mixed with dampness, cut into my bones, causing my limbs to tremble.

I bit my lower lip, forcing a smile that was more like a grimace, "It's almost four o'clock now, why don't you take a taxi?"

The next second, his words completely shattered my spirit. He said, "It's okay, she's usually half an hour late. I'll be there just in time."

At first, I wanted to maintain appearances and leave a perfect image of my ex in his mind. I naively thought that once he discovered Michele's many flaws, there would be a day when he would regret it and be chasing after her.

Now it seemed he could be infinitely tolerant of Michele, while I would forever remain that indifferent ex-wife.

I didnt know how I got home. Only after the warm water was poured over my head did my vision gradually clear.

A rapid ringing of my cell phone urged me out of the bathroom.

"Miss Patricia, Michele wants to drop out! You must go and persuade her!"

If I felt regret and hatred towards Caleb, all I felt towards Michele was overwhelming rage. Back then, I discovered her talent and couldn't bear to waste it, so I used my position to vouch for her admission to the principal.

I transformed her from a flower girl abandoned by her family because of her gender into a highly educated talent with a good reputation. Back then, she cried and said I was the savior who changed her life and she wanted to learn from me for the rest of her life.

Now, with only six months left until graduation, she couldnt help but want to drop out. I sent her a message, only to find that I had been blocked without my knowledge. The scarlet exclamation mark reminded me once again of my foolishness.

I found her number again to call her, but her call came in just then. After answering, I angrily questioned, "Michele! What do you want?!"

She not only ignored me but also asked me with a grin, "Miss Patricia, I remember you know someone at the hospital. Could you use your connections to check on my baby? I want to have a boy."

Before I could refuse, my mother-in-law's voice came from the other end of the line, "Why are you calling her? A sick hen that can't lay eggs has wasted ten years of Caleb's time!"

Her sharp and sarcastic words made me tremble with anger.

Back when my career was on the rise, Caleb promised he would never hold me back and would always take his medication beforehand. I worried his domineering mother would cause a scene, but Caleb assured me hed handle it. His plan was to say I was sick and couldnt have children.

I warned him sharply, I will never agree to you dropping out. Ill approve your leave of absence and you can come back to class after you give birth.

Michele clearly hadnt expected me to be so forceful and was speechless.

The even more forceful mother-in-law took over the phone, Get out! Get out! The chemicals in the lab are so harmful to the baby! You just cant stand to see us doing well! Get out of here!

With that, she hung up and when I tried to call back, I was blocked.

Calebs text message popped up, [Even if you dont agree to Micheles withdrawal application, we wont be stopped by you.]

I opened the phone management page, but my finger lingered on the block button, hesitating to press it. It wasnt out of lingering affection, but because we werent divorced yet and needed to contact each other to get our marriage certificate. I scratched my head, my emotions churning with nowhere to go.

Just then, a pop-up message pushed a trending topic to my head. The moment I saw the title, I suddenly felt this whole thing was utterly pointless.

[A student surnamed Jones publicly accuses university professor Patricia Connor.]

The information Michele presented was explosive. Keywords that could pique human curiosity appeared like they were free in her case. At the end of the video, Micheles eyes were red and she pleaded with the camera with a pitiful look.

Miss Patricia, Im sorry for what I did, but you almost drove me to my death. Were even now. Please let me go and let me pursue my happiness.

As expected of my student, she was very good at downplaying the seriousness of the situation and using euphemisms. So much so that the comments section overwhelmingly believed that I was the one who was too forceful and wrong.

[What kind of teacher is she? Driving a student to jump off a building, thankfully the police arrived in time.]

[I know her husband. Shes always been a very domineering person, the kind who wont give in a single word.]

A few students did speak up for me, but they couldnt overcome the prevailing opinion.

The uproar quickly caught the attention of the principal, who was clearly suppressing her anger, Patricia, what happened? What promises did you and I make?

I smiled wryly, I just disagreed with her withdrawing her child and I got posted online.

Upon hearing this, the principal gritted her teeth in anger, Just having a child, does that warrant withdrawal? Michele took your efforts for granted...

Afraid she would go on and on, I quickly interrupted, Alright, Maam, dont worry, Ill handle this. Ill leave the public relations to the PR team.

The principal agreed, Okay, just let me know if you need anything. The university gets your back.

Those warm words hit me like a ton of bricks, unexpectedly bringing tears to my eyes. The recent events had brought me back to my dark childhood.

After organizing all the materials, I opened the backend and approved Micheles withdrawal application. No matter how much I cherished her talent, how disappointed I was, or how compassionate I was, at this moment, I couldnt find a reason to forgive her.

As soon as I approved, a screenshot of Michele appeared in the comments section.

Thank you everyone for your support! The teacher has approved it. Im sorry for wasting public resources.

I replied, Dont rush, youve finished speaking, I havent even started yet.

I posted all the evidence of helping her over the years in the comments section. Once posted, it immediately caused a sensation.

[If my teacher could give me such good resources, I'd do anything, even be their slave.]

[So this is the real scams.]

The university also issued a statement saying that I paid for all of Michele's expenses during her time at the university and there was no issue of professional ethics. This further enraged netizens.

[The blogger is insane! The teacher spent money and effort to send her to university and she just wants to quit! What a waste of such valuable resources!]

[More than that, she posted the teacher's name online if she didn't agree to her withdrawal.]

Seeing the backlash, Michele instinctively deleted my comment. This further solidified her accusation of repaying kindness with enmity. I didnt need to worry about the rest; someone would find justice for me.

Just then, the doorbell rang and a clear voice came from outside, "Miss Patricia, it's me."

It was my neighbor, Charles Dickens.

He looked somewhat worried, "I saw it on my phone; I came to check on you. I had a pretty good impression of this neighbor. He was a policeman, much stronger than Caleb, but very shy.

I was always wary of strangers, but Charles gave me a strange sense of familiarity.

So I led him inside and greeted him, I'm fine, just a little tired.

Charles sat up straight, speaking with righteous indignation, If she spreads false information like that, you can call the police once it reaches a certain number of views.

I poured him a glass of water and placed it in front of him, No need. She'll suffer endlessly afterward.

This wasn't a lie; I'd seen the ruthless nature of Caleb's parents. If I hadn't been able to move out and live alone with Caleb, they would have driven me crazy long ago. I just didn't know if Michele could get past them.

Just then, there was another noise at the door. Hearing the sound of a key locking the door, I became alert.

Sure enough, Caleb pushed the door open, shouting, 'Patricia! Go explain online right now! Do you know how much this is affecting Michele!'"

When he saw there was another man in the house, he paused for a moment, then flew into a rage, "Fine, we're not even divorced yet and you're already bringing a man home, huh?!"

I interrupted him, "This is our neighbor, Charles. He's just here to ask about my situation. Watch your mouth!"

He was the one who was unfaithful first and now he was trying to frame me.

Caleb stepped forward, grabbed my neck and practically yelled, "A man and a woman alone together in a room, didn't expect me to come back and interrupt you, did you?!"

Looking at his angry face, my heart grew cold. How could I have loved such a person for ten years?

Seeing my face turn purple, Charles came over and forcefully grabbed Caleb's wrist, "Mr. Wilson, Miss Patricia and I are people with a sense of shame. We wouldn't do such a dirty thing."

Caleb, caught off guard, was about to lash out in anger, but suddenly let out a scream, released me and started jumping around on the spot. I collapsed to the ground, gasping for air. Luckily, Charles was nearby, otherwise Caleb might have strangled me.

The air froze. Caleb, her emotions calm, spoke with a hint of weakness, "Everyone online is cursing Michele now. She's just a young girl, she's almost too ashamed to show her face."

I asked in a hoarse voice, "What about me? Am I just destined to be slandered by her? If I don't clarify things and really become the teacher she says has moral problems, have you thought about what I'll face?"

Caleb froze, a hint of guilt flashing in her eyes, but she remained defiant, "You're different from her. You'll take care of yourself no matter what."

I said bitterly, "Go. I won't speak up for her. Also, get the divorce certificate as soon as possible, preferably before next Tuesday."

He suddenly laughed, his eyes filled with disdain, "You're not thinking you're leaving here on Tuesday, are you? I advised you against playing hard to get."

Caleb's face darkened, "How could you possibly bear to leave me? Besides, there's Michele too. She's been a student you've nurtured for so many years; you wouldn't abandon her."

He didn't know that from the moment I agreed to Michele's withdrawal application, I had decided I didn't want either of them anymore.

Just then, Caleb received a phone call. After hearing what the other person said, veins bulged on his forehead.

Before I could react, he grabbed my collar and started pulling me outside.

"Michele was verbally abused on the street and fainted. She's in the hospital now. You have to go apologize to her!"

I looked up, wanting to call for help, only to find that Charles had already left without a sound. Well, who would want to get involved in someone else's family affairs for no reason? I couldn't struggle and he dragged me all the way to the hospital.

As soon as we entered the ward, Michele exclaimed, "Miss Patricia, you look so disheveled!"

On the way, Caleb tugged at my clothes, my collar already wide open.

I said weakly, "What do you want?"

Hearing this, she curled her lips into a smile, her eyes gleaming, "An apology should be sincere. We don't want much, just all your patents."

I stood up abruptly, looking at her in shock. Her face, which always wore a bright, sunny smile, now only showed naked malice.

I turned to Caleb, who nodded dismissively, "After all, the child still needs money for formula and your patents will bring in a steady stream of money."

Caleb was about to speak when Michele interrupted him. She wanted to talk to me alone to persuade Caleb to leave. Once we were alone, Michele revealed her true colors.

She said, "If you don't accept it, then take a look at this."

She scrolled through her phone for a few moments, then handed it to me. The content made my breath catch in my throat. It was about another student I was sponsoring, dressed as a waitress, surrounded by several men, her face filled with terror. This child, though clumsy, was very hardworking and like Michele, she was one of my key students.

"Finding a few desperados took a lot of effort, you know. If you don't appease me today, she'll be in big trouble."

"Michele!"

I clenched my fists and couldn't help but shout, "Don't drag innocent people into our business!"

She looked indifferent, picking her ear, "This is a scheme. Besides, wasn't it you who taught me to climb the ladder by any means necessary?"

"Do you dare say you have no connection with the principal? Now, kneel down and apologize to me. You just scared me."

My lip bled from being bitten, the taste of metal filling my mouth. But thinking of the child's terrified expression, I felt a thousand pounds weighing on my shoulders, bending my legs like steel bars.

The moment my knees touched the ground, the humiliation made my teeth chatter, "I'm sorry..."

Michele laughed heartily, "I never said I'd let her go just because you did that. Besides, I was helping you train her. I was doing it for her own good."

I looked up sharply, but I couldn't see her face clearly. I stood up, staggered and rushed out the door, bumping into Caleb who was returning. He instinctively reached out to help me, but I dodged him.

He immediately gritted his teeth, "You're something else!"

I strode forward, ignoring his pleas.

As soon as I left the hospital, I had a lawyer notarize the documents, ensuring no one could shake my assets. I also contacted the principal to apply for that student to accompany me abroad.

Didn't they want to wait for me to divorce so they could smoothly take over? I wasnt not going to divorce him. The longer I was gone, the longer they would suffer public criticism.

The next day, before my flight to Germany took off, I sent the recording from the hospital room to several zombie public accounts and the principal. The web of revenge was about to unfold; they better not disappoint me.