I watched Lincoln put on his little show and let out a cold laugh. "No need," I said flatly. "From now on, the title of Sherryl's husband is yours."
I turned to look at Sherryl, gaze steely and final. "I've already filed for divorce. Whether you agree or not, this marriage is over!"
Then I turned to my mother, softening just slightly. "Mom, soon you'll understand why I have to do this."
She said nothing after that. Maybe she felt the storm coming too.
I turned to leave, but before I could even reach the door, Lincoln rushed forward and blocked my way.
"Today is your son's Baby's One-Month Celebration and you choose today to announce a divorce?" he shouted. "What kind of man are you? You're not going anywhere until you explain yourself!"
I scoffed. Then, without warning, drove my foot straight into his chest.
"Move. You're just an assistant. What right do you have to talk to me like that?"
He crashed to the ground, clutching his chest, struggling to breathe. Sherryl rushed forward and shielded him with her body. "Andrew! If you've got a problem, come at me! Lincoln only ever did what he thought was best for us. What gave you the right to hit him?"
I looked at the two of them so intimate, so familiar and let out a low snort. "You know exactly why I hit him."
I didn't bother with more words. I turned, ready to walk out.
But just as I opened the door, I was met with a wall of people. Sherryl's parents, flanked by her younger brother.
"Andrew," her father said, voice heavy with concern, "we know you're a good man. You've been married for years and not once have you raised your voice at Sherryl. What happened this time? Why must you go this far?"
I stood silent, expression unreadable. "I just don't want to be with her anymore. It's that simple."
That one sentence lit the fuse. Her mother pointed at me, rage burning in her eyes.
"I knew it! We never agreed to this marriage in the first place. A poor, no-name kid from the countryside this is who Sherryl married! And what has she gotten in return?"
"She nearly destroyed her body doing IVF for you. Years of sacrifice and not a word of gratitude. Instead, you give her a divorce? You're heartless!"
Her younger brother, Hansel, didn't wait. He landed a punch square on my cheek.
"You're just a useless leech and now you think you're something? Can't even give her a child and you think other women will want you after this?"
His words cut deep, sharper than the punch.
"Everyone in America knows you've got the equipment but no bullets. You think you're worth something? Even if you became a gigolo, no one would pay for you."
I pressed a hand to my swollen cheek, ready to speak but Sherryl grabbed his arm first.
"Stop it! No matter what happens, he's still your brother-in-law. He's just angry right now. Once he cools down, everything will be fine."
Everyone around us fell silent at her words. Moved, even.
"A woman like this, still defending her husband after all that, she's a saint."
"And look at you," someone muttered. "You've done nothing but spit in her face. And she still protects you. If you keep pushing, you'll lose the best thing that's ever happened to you."
Behind me, the child lay crying in the cradle, wailing nonstop each cry like another accusation thrown in my face.
Everyone thought this was the moment I'd cave. That I'd take the olive branch, say something to calm the room. But I didn't.
I wiped the blood from the corner of my lips, straightened my back and looked them dead in the eye.
"I am ungrateful. And I am heartless. But this marriage? I'm leaving it. For good."
No more words.
I pushed past them, opened the door and walked away without looking back.
As I stepped out of the hotel, I saw the Maybach parked quietly in the distance. Without hesitation, I walked straight toward it, opened the door and got in.