Why I Cheered When My Husband Cheated

Chapter 4

After leaving Selena, I headed straight to my parents' place. Besides wanting to talk about the divorce, I also needed to confirm what was really going on with Hank's family.

When I told them I wanted out, both of their eyes nearly popped out of their heads, until I showed them the photo of Hank kissing Selena.

My mom's face went red with fury. She turned and slapped my dad.

"I told you not to push this marriage! Didn't I say so? Look at our daughter, miserable!"

"When did I ever push it?" my dad grumbled, blinking like a deer in headlights. "You're the one who said you were close to Maria and that Hank was a good kid, you watched him grow up!"

Just as my mom looked like she was about to start round two, I raised a hand to stop her. "Look, I'm not blaming you guys. I married him because I wanted to. And if I made the wrong choice, then divorce is the way to fix it. It's not that complicated. No kids involved, no big mess."

My dad let out a long sigh. "It's not that. It's just… I can't believe Hank would do this to you."

I shrugged. "That's not even the worst part. What's going on with his dad's company?"

At the mention of Hank's father, Howard, my dad's expression turned into a mix of frustration and resignation.

"Howard... don't even get me started. I tried introducing him to people, helping him out, but he said he's not the kind to kiss up to others. So what, every connection I've built over the years was just flattery?" He scoffed. "His company's been sinking for a while. Every year, Hank uses dividends from your little company to bail him out. How long can that go on?"

"These days, who doesn't rely on connections?" he added with a bitter smile. "Especially when you're running an old-school business like theirs."

I felt a pang of disappointment. Truthfully, I'd already seen the signs. Ever since Hank and I started running the company together, it was always me dealing with clients, smoothing things over, making tough calls. Hank never liked confrontation, he'd rather play the 'nice guy' and let me take the heat. I never once touched his share of the dividends. And now I find out they all went to keep his dad's failing company afloat?

If we really got divorced… would the entire Shaw Group crumble overnight?

It was a depressing thought.

I nudged my dad. "If I go through with the divorce, would you still support him?"

My mom gave me a look full of pity, but stayed quiet. My dad looked at me, then said simply, "Depends on what you want."

That was all I needed to hear. I clapped my hands and stood up.

"Great! Then I'll go home and talk to Hank. If we can part peacefully, maybe the families can still stay on good terms."

But when I got home, I wasn't expecting to find Hank sitting on the couch, his expression dark and unreadable. The moment he heard the door open, he looked up with bloodshot eyes and asked in a gravelly voice, "You went to your parents'? Did you tell them about me and Selena?"

His tone annoyed me. "How'd you know?" I snapped. "Yes, I did. If we're getting divorced, they have a right to know."

That set him off.

With a loud crash, he swiped everything off the coffee table in one furious motion. "Why are we getting divorced?! Is there someone else?!" he shouted. "I've hit rock bottom, what more do you want from me?! Why can't you just forgive me?!"

Something in his voice felt… off. I took a cautious step back, inching toward the door. "Hank, calm down. We're still just talking about the divorce."

But that only made him more agitated. His eyes locked onto mine, his whole body tensing.

"Why are you backing away? Huh? You going to meet some other guy now?"

He jumped up from the couch and rushed at me. I panicked, fumbling with the doorknob, but my hands wouldn't stop shaking. By the time I finally got the door open, it was too late, he'd already grabbed a fistful of my hair.

"Hank, stop! Calm down!"

He didn't say a word. Just kicked the door shut and dragged me down the hall. I struggled, but he was too strong, too drunk. He shoved me onto the bed, and before I could even catch my breath, he was on top of me, reeking of whiskey.

"Let's have a baby," he slurred. "If we have a kid, you won't want to leave me."