Beyond the Divorce

Teaching My Sister–in–law a Lesson

Melanie didn’t take kindly to what I said. Her displeasure was evident as she retorted, “Chloe, don’t be unappreciative of what you have. You know how my brother treats you, right? He’s the one out there working hard, and you dare to be choosy? Don’t be so overbearing.”

I glared at her, saying, “Oh? Do you feel bad for your brother? When did I ever need your two cents in

conversations with him?”

Melanie rolled her eyes, “–”

I didn’t let her continue and interrupted, “What’s wrong with being a full–time housewife? It seems like you’ve got a bone to pick with that. No wonder you were desperate to experience a housewife’s life at Galar Tower. You enjoyed that, didn’t you?”

My gaze was intense as I stared at Melanie. My past submissive behavior made her think I was an easy

target.

“You think your brother is the only one hard at work? Ask your brother if he dares to say that to me,” I

didn’t give Melanie a chance to speak and continued, “Don’t you or your family remember me looking for

clients all over the city that I even suffered from stomach ulcers?

I

“Matthew doesn’t even dare to say he built the company alone. Yet, you have the nerve to tell me I don’t

have the right to say what I said?!”

Melanie looked at Matthew angrily. However, I didn’t let up. “You’re enjoying the fruits of my labor, spending our money without contributing anything. Do you think you deserve that?”

My gaze turned icier than ever as I stared her down.

“Melanie, you should know your place if you want to keep freeloading off us. Don’t bring up such bullshit in front of me again. Your brother might indulge you, but I won’t.”

“Why, you!” Melanie exclaimed.

I sneered at the infuriated Melanie, saying, “You said I’m overbearing? You can tell me about it again when

you find someone you love.”

Then I turned to Matthew and said, “You should teach your sister a lesson and stop spolling her. Please

teach her to be more respectful.*

“Chloe, you…” Melanie slammed the table, startling Ava, who pouted and burst into tears.

Matthew roared in frustration, “That’s enough! Let’s eat! Stop causing a scene!”

He aimed his frustration at Melanie, which relieved me somewhat. Meanwhile, I comforted Ava and

reassured her everything was okay.

Things finally quieted down afterward, and we finished our meal. When we headed out to pay the bill, the

waiter said Johnson had already handled it.

Melanie sulked outside the restaurant and didn’t get into our car. I glanced at Matthew to ask, “Aren’t you

going to call her in?”

Matthew’s face remained stern, “Leave her alone. We need to teach her a lesson.”

I didn’t say much, either. Although I didn’t have a favorable impression of my sister–in–law, saying too

much was inappropriate, as I had already said enough today.

On the way home, I used Melanie’s topic as a starting point, “I’m considering returning to work once Ava

returns to preschool. I don’t want to feel like a freeloader anymore because I’ve become quite unpopular

within my own company.”

“Honey, what are you saying? I just don’t want you to overwork yourself. You’ve suffered a lot for this company in the past. It’s not wrong to enjoy yourself a bit now. Melanie is still young and naive, so don’t

blame her.

“Besides, the company is more organized now, and management positions are tightly arranged. Having you back might be challenging since we’ll have to rearrange several things,” Matthew explained as he

drove.

I said nothing but found it quite amusing. After all, Tanum Corporation was a company I had founded from scratch. It was like my child, yet I couldn’t find a way to fit in now, and I found it ironic.

Matthew noticed my silence and held my hand. “Don’t be upset. If you want to return to work, you can. The company has come this far thanks to your unimaginable contributions. You’re the key figure, and your

merits are irreplaceable.”

I almost rolled my eyes at my smooth–talking husband. I guessed he only said those things to appease me, so I decided not to comment and looked out the window. As the cityscape passed by, I felt a sense Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

of loneliness and wondered where my refuge was.

Matthew’s betrayal had thrown me into a bottomless pit, and i instinctively held my aching heart while I

became teary–eyed.

At that moment, I decided to return to work once Ava returned to preschool.