Beyond the Divorce

I did not expect to see Melanie already at the house when I arrived.

When she saw me with the thermos and the caregiver, she immediately said sarcastically, "What is the meaning of this? Do you still consider yourself a daughter-in-law of the Murphy family? Didn't you take Grace away? Why did you bring her back? Were you trying to leave her at the hospital to end it all? You were scared she would die in your grand mansion, weren't you?"

She spoke without a shred of decency.

I ignored her completely and went straight inside. I found Grace in bed in the master bedroom. Matthew was nowhere to be seen.

"Why are you being so stubborn, mom? You should stay in the hospital for a few days and get the full course of medication. It'll be good for your health, and it'll help with the pain," I scolded her. "Where's Matthew?"

"Don't blame him. It was my decision to come back here. I'm more comfortable at home, and I want to stay here for a few more days. Matthew has some business to attend to at the company." She looked at me, sitting up. Perhaps the medication from last night had worked; she seemed exceptionally spirited today.

I quickly handed her the thermos. "I made you some breakfast. You should have some now. I hired a special caregiver for you, too. If you really don't want to go to the hospital, I'll discuss it with Matthew. We can administer the medication at home as well. The special caregivers are skilled at that, but you need to listen to what we say."

Grace got out of bed and went to the dining room.

I followed hurriedly, and reached the kitchen to get her utensils for breakfast. But Melanie walked up and overturned the table. "What are you doing? Why are you still calling her mom? Go on, keep calling her that! Let's see what she's going to eat now." The breakfast I had carefully prepared was ruined.

furious. "What the hell are you doing, Melanie? I don't care that you didn't

over, opened the front door, and called the neighbors over. "Come

phone, scolding him sternly. "Where

at the company. I came here to handle it." Matthew realized what was going on when he heard my tone. He was trying to make excuses for himself.

pointed at Melanie and recounted everything she had done to her mother-in-law. Whenever

pointed

finished speaking, Melanie slapped her in the face. "How dare you raise your

rushed forward to pick her up. While my back was

through

hit Grace again, I saw red. I entrusted Grace to the caregiver and turned around to confront Melanie. In a burst of anger, I grabbed her hair with strength I never

ferocious I had become. She tried to fight back, but the neighbors, who

He knew something was wrong when he saw