My Wife's 'Milk Tea' Secret Divorce at the Baby Shower

Claire returned to work before her maternity leave had barely begun. In a standard thirty-day month, she worked overtime for twenty-nine of them. She left before dawn and returned long after midnight, too busy to spare a single glance at our daughter, who screamed until her throat was raw, begging to be fed.

I had reached my limit.

The breaking point wasn't a catastrophe, but a receiptmilk tea she'd bought for her colleagues. That was when I demanded a divorce.

The declaration hit the room like a bomb.

"Are you out of your mind?" someone shouted. "You're divorcing her over milk tea?"

Claire's face twisted with rage. She snatched a glass baby bottle from the table and hurled it at me. It struck my forehead with a sickening crack. Warm liquid trickled down my brow, blinding one eye in a crimson haze.

I didn't flinch. Ignoring the sting and the blood dripping onto my collar, I slammed the printed divorce agreement onto the table.

"Sign it."

It was our daughter's hundred-day celebration. Claire had spared no expense, inviting every relative, friend, classmate, and coworker we knew. The ballroom, previously buzzing with laughter and toasts, had fallen into suffocating silence.

"Liam, I've just been busy with the company," Claire argued, her voice trembling. "If you can't handle the baby, hire a nanny. Is that really worth humiliating me in front of everyone? Over a few drinks?"

She stared at me, eyes wide with disbelief. Without reading a word, she seized the document and shredded it, letting the confetti rain between us.

"Yes, it is."

I met her gaze, my voice steady. The guests exchanged bewildered glances. Everyone knew Claire and I were high school sweetheartsfrom school uniforms to wedding attire. Five years married, ostensibly the perfect couple. To them, this was insanity. Even my in-laws stared at me like I was a stranger.

"You're throwing away your marriage because she bought beverages for her staff?" my father-in-law, Scott, demanded.

I cut him off. "Not beverages. Milk tea."

Scott frowned. "What the hell is the difference? Since when did you become so petty?"

"There is a difference," I said flatly.

"You..." Scott choked, pointing a shaking finger at me.

Bella, my mother-in-law, stepped in. "Liam, look at yourself. Whether it's tea or water, it's a trivial expense. Claire risked her life to give you a child. She works herself to the bone for this family, and you begrudge her a few dollars for treats? Have you no shame?"

Even my own mother tugged at my sleeve, whispering for me to stop making a scene. The guests whispered among themselves, casting judgment my way.

I didn't bother to explain.

Reaching into my briefcase, I produced a second copy of the agreement and slid it toward Claire.

"I am divorcing you. If you want to save what little dignity you have left, sign it."

Tears welled in Claire's eyesa practiced display of vulnerability.

"Liam, please. Do you really have to embarrass me like this?" She sobbed, her voice dropping to a humble plea. "I admit, I've neglected you and the baby because of work. I know I've burdened your mother. But I did it for us! I swear, from now on, you and our daughter come first. Please?"

She reached for my hand, fingers trembling. "Liam..."

"Don't touch me!"

I recoiled as if she were contagious, shoving her hand away and stepping back.

"You're filthy."

I didn't hide my disgust.

Claire stumbled back, caught off guard, and hit the floor. Tears clung to her lashes. Her eyes went wide.

Once, seeing her cry would've torn me apart. I'd have done anything to stop it. But now? Watching those tears fall, I felt nothing but irritation. My chest was hollowvoid of the sympathy she clearly expected.

The room's atmosphere curdled. Guests exchanged uneasy glances, then turned condemning stares on me. Scott scoffed loudly. Bella's face went from grim to thunderous.

Ethan Matthews, Claire's assistant, rushed forward. He helped her up with practiced care, then jabbed an accusing finger at me.

"Liam, call yourself a man?" Ethan shouted. "Ms. Henson gave you a child! She labored for three days and nights, hemorrhaged, nearly died on the table. It's been three monthshave you already forgotten?"

He wasn't finished. "She didn't even take her full maternity leave. Back at the office the moment her recovery month ended. Running a company by day, caring for your child by night. Working herself to the bone for this familyand this is how you repay her? Divorce over some trivial argument?" He looked around, rallying the crowd. "Is he out of his mind?"

His indignation was almost impressive. I smirked, watching Claire lean against himtoo heavily.

"Oh, she's dedicated," I said, my voice cutting through the murmurs. "Couldn't wait to get back to the office. But I wonder... who exactly makes it so much more appealing than her own newborn?"

Panic flickered in Claire's eyes.

"Liam, what are you implying?" she cried. "I do everything for this family! Is that it? You're like every other shallow mandisgusted by my body now that I've given birth? You think I'm fat and ugly?"

She ended on a sob. The victim act, perfected.

"What trash!" someone shouted. "Scumbag!"

I didn't flinch. "Think what you want. I'm getting a divorce."

Claire froze. She hadn't expected me to be this unyielding.

"Don't be shameless!" Scott bellowed, stepping forward. "What has my daughter done to deserve this? You're humiliating her in front of everyone! Have you forgotten how you knelt and begged for her hand? You swore to protect her for a lifetime!"

Claire sobbed louder, then looked up with teary, accusing eyes. "Liam... tell me the truth. Is there someone else?"

The room exploded.

"That's low."

"His wife just had a baby and he's already cheating? Absolute scum."

The stares turned venomous. Bella rolled up her sleeves, ready for a brawl.

"Don't be afraid, darling! Mom's here. Let's see who dares bully you!"

I surveyed their agitated faces. "Say whatever you want. I want a divorce."

Realizing I wouldn't budge, Bella slapped her thigh and wailed at the ceiling.

"It's over! He's been bewitched by some vixen!" she shrieked. "My poor daughtermarried to an ungrateful, heartless animal!"

Ethan Matthews's rage boiled over.

"Ms. Henson must be blind to marry a piece of trash like you. You're lower than an animal."

He stepped forward, chest puffing out. "Since she won't do it, I'll teach you a lesson myself, you ungrateful prick."

With that, Ethan rolled up his sleeves and lunged, swinging a clumsy fist at my face.

I didn't even blink. I pivoted slightly, letting his momentum carry him past me. As he stumbled, I clamped my hand around his wrist and twisted.

Ethan hissed, his knees buckling under the pressure.

I stared down at him, my voice devoid of warmth. "Who do you think you are?"

I increased the torque on his wrist. "You're a secretary. Since when do you get a vote in my marriage?"

Releasing his wrist, I didn't give him time to recover. I drove a backhand punch straight into the bridge of his nose.

Crack.

"Argh!"

Ethan clutched his face, squealing like a dying pig. Bright red blood seeped through his fingers, splattering onto the floor.

"Blood!" someone in the crowd shrieked.

"Liam! Are you insane? You can't just assault people!"

Claire rushed forward, shoving me hard enough to make me stumble. She didn't spare me a second glanceshe went straight to Ethan, her eyes wide with tender concern.

My stomach turned.

I let out a dark chuckle. "Does it hurt your heart to see him bleed?"

I gestured to the cowering man. "Funny. You didn't panic like that when he tried to swing at me."

Claire's breath hitched. Her gaze darted away, unable to meet mine. For once, she had no rebuttal.

"Besides," I continued, my voice dropping, "he deserved it."

Claire looked at me in disbelief. "Liam, when did you become so unreasonable? This is between us. Why drag an innocent bystander into our mess?"

I scoffed. "Innocent?"

I pointed at Ethan. "Ask him. Is he innocent?"

Ethan's expression flickered with panic, but he quickly dropped his head, adopting the posture of a martyr.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Henson. I was wrong," he murmured, voice trembling. "I shouldn't have spoken out of turn. I upset Mr. Barnes... Please, don't blame him."

He looked up at Claire, eyes wide and weta kicked puppy begging for scraps.

"I don't blame you, Ethan. I'm the one who dragged you into this," Claire cooed. She produced a tissue and gently wiped the blood from his upper lip, her voice dripping with a sweetness she hadn't used on me in years.

Nausea rose in my throat. I snatched the divorce agreement from the table and slammed it down in front of her.

"If you don't want your precious assistant beaten to a pulp, sign. Now. Otherwise, every time I see his face, I'll finish what I started."

The threat snapped something inside her.

Slap!

Her palm connected hard with my cheek.

"Have you lost your mind?" she screamed. "Ethan is just my assistant! What does our divorce have to do with him?"

My face burned, a high-pitched ringing filling my ears. I ran my tongue over the inside of my cheek, tasting copper.

I stared at her, then at Ethan, still cowering behind her like a shield.

"Are you sure he's just your assistant?" I asked quietly.

A flash of guilt crossed Claire's facegone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by self-righteous indignation.

"Liam, what are you implying?" She straightened her spine. "Even if we are close, isn't that normal? We work together day and night. Ethan is like family. Like a younger brother."

She glared at me, eyes blazing. "Are you seriously jealous of a brother?"

I sneered. "Is that so?"

I leaned in, locking eyes with her. "Is that why you treat your 'good little brother' to special milk tea?"

Claire froze.

"Are you done?" she snapped, voice rising. "You're going to keep clinging to that nonsense? Is that all you have?"

"Fine! If it bothers you so much, I'll let you have some too!"

Claire's face flushed crimson, her voice shrill with humiliation and rage.

"No need," I said flatly. "The thought alone makes me sick."

"This won't do, that won't dowhat exactly do you want?" She finally snapped.

"Divorce. How many times do I have to say it?"

Claire took a ragged breath, forcing her expression to soften. One last desperate play.

"Liam, please. I love you." Her eyes welled up. "Our daughter is so young. Do you really want her growing up in a broken home? As long as we don't divorce, I'll do anything."

The martyred wife, swallowing her pride for her family. Her performance painted me as the tyrant. Around the room, guests murmured in sympathy, casting judgmental glances my way.

In the shadows, Ethan's smug smirk vanished.

"Anything?" I repeated.

I looked past her, locking eyes with him. A slow smile curved my lips.

"Fine. We don't have to divorce."

Hope sparked in Claire's eyes.

"Fire him. Right now. Guarantee you'll never contact Ethan Matthews again. Do that, and the papers disappear."

The color drained from her face.

"You're being unreasonable," she hissed. "You've always been paranoid about Ethan. You can't stand that he's capable."

"I know exactly how capable he is." My tone cut like a scalpel. "I know your loyal assistant helps you with work. I also know he helps with your... personal needs. Relieves your stress. Handles your urgent problems."

I stepped closer, looming over her. "And as repayment, you treated him to a drink. Again and again."

I shifted my gaze between them, letting the implication hang.

I had intended to end this quietly. Leave them a shred of dignity. But Claire refused to let go, insisted on playing the victim.

If she didn't want dignity, I wouldn't force it on her.

A chill ran down Claire's spine. Instinct told her something terrible was coming.

I turned to the confused guests watching with bated breath.

"I imagine you're all curious," I announced. "Wondering why a man with a perfect family would insist on a public divorce."

I gestured to the wall behind me. "Allow me to show you exactly why."