Breaking Free

I married a man overly attached to his mother and struggled with a spiteful mother-in-law. One day, I received a text message. It read, "I'm pregnant."

1

In the early morning, Lise Rowe sat on the living room couch. She hadn't slept all night, waiting for her hungover husband to wake up. Her in-laws had joined a three-day senior travel group.

Only Lise, her one-year-old daughter, and her husband Jerred Rowe remained at home.

Lise waited for Jerred to wake. She watched him casually wash up and walk to the dining table, expecting breakfast.

He froze. The table was empty.

"What's with no breakfast?" Jerred finally noticed Lise, who had sat on the couch all night. His tone carried a hint of complaint.

As he approached, an empty table held only a glaring divorce agreement, with a pen in Lise's hand.

"Jerred, let's get divorced." Lise's voice stayed gentle as always. Jerred seemed at a loss.

"Sign it. I only want our daughter, nothing else." Lise handed him the pen, placing it in his hand. She slid the divorce agreement closer, thoughtfully opened to the signature page. Her name appeared neat and graceful.

Jerred's hand trembled as he pushed the agreement away.

Lise felt disappointed, but it didn't matter. He would sign.

"Sign it. While your parents are away, let's hurry to City Hall and get the divorce finalized." Lise pushed the agreement back.

"Lise, what did I do wrong?"

"You didn't do anything wrong." Lise sighed. "You just didn't do anything at all."

She looked at him like he was a clueless child.

"I worked hard to earn money for our own home. I bought this place. But you brought your parents here without even asking me.

Fine, I could deal with that. Don't you see your mother bossing me around every day? At first, I thought you were just too scared to help me. Then I realized you were relieved it wasn't you dealing with her anymore.

Jerred, do I owe you something? Did I deserve to leave my hometown to marry you, to be criticized and targeted by your mother, to ruin my health after childbirth, to slave away for your family after work every day?"

Lise's emotions surged. Jerred's head hung lower.

"For the sake of our five years together, Jerred, I'm begging you. Let me go."

Jerred's trembling hand picked up the pen.

Lise watched quietly. Everything unfolded as she expected. Jerred was used to following orders, whether from his parents or her. That was why she chose him. Now, it was his fatal flaw.

"It's still early. Let's go to City Hall now." Lise moved to pick up the agreement, but the sound of the door startled her.

Hearing her in-laws return, Lise quickly stuffed the agreement into her bag.

"What are you doing?" Madison Rowe eyed Lise suspiciously, her gaze gleaming with the thrill of catching her in the act.

Lise had seen that look countless times over five years. It still chilled her heart.

"Nothing." Lise had secured the agreement and stood up calmly. She was tired of this act. "You must be tired from the trip. Go rest."

"I asked what you were doing." Madison pressed, unrelenting.

"Just some work documents," Lise said smoothly. "Can you step aside? Jerred and I need to get to work."

"Son, is that true?" Jerred didn't answer, looking helplessly at Lise.

Despite all her disappointments, this man always found a way to disappoint her more.

"Why are you looking at her? What's this woman making you do now? You're a grown man. How can you just do whatever your wife says?"

"Mom, stop asking," Jerred pleaded weakly, as usual, to no effect.

"Lise, you know my temper gets heated," Jerred's father Jake Rowe said. "She's older. Don't upset her. It's just documents. We won't understand them anyway. Just show her to put her mind at ease."

Jake always spoke softly, but it always worked in Madison's favor.

Lise sometimes envied Madison. She had a doting husband and an obedient son. Her life was smug and comfortable.

No wonder she couldn't stand a daughter-in-law who didn't obey.

These are company documents. I can't show them to just anyone. It's a matter of principle, even if you can't understand them."

"Principles? I'm your mother-in-law. I have the right and responsibility to keep an eye on you." Madison had moved closer and grabbed for Lise's bag.

In the struggle, the divorce agreement fell out. Madison snatched it up quickly.

"What's this?" Madison demanded, flipping through the pages.

"You signed it too?" Jerred's signature seemed to enrage her more.

Of course. A daughter-in-law slipping out of control, leading her obedient son to defy her-how could that not sting? Even as Madison tore the agreement to shreds in a fury, Lise felt a flicker of satisfaction.

Her daughter's cries rang out. Lise rushed to check on her. She returned to the living room, holding her daughter, as her in-laws and husband looked up.

"Forget it. I will never agree to this divorce."

Jerred stood silently behind Madison.

"Jerred, come with me to City Hall." Jerred nodded and started to follow, but Madison grabbed him, and he stopped.

"Jerred, are you spineless?" Lise mocked him, but Madison advanced menacingly. Mindful of her daughter, Lise didn't resist as Madison pushed her into the bedroom. The door locked. For the entire morning, Madison stood guard, refusing to let Jerred open it. Her daughter cried endlessly, and Madison didn't care. Lise's resolve to divorce only grew stronger.

At noon, the door opened. Lise, holding her daughter in one arm and pulling a suitcase with the other, headed out.

To her surprise, Jerred grabbed the suitcase.

"Jerred, your mom tells you to grab it, and you do. But when I asked you to open the door, you didn't listen."

In the tussle, Madison took the chance to snatch Lise's daughter.

The child cried, uncomfortable in Madison's hold. Lise tried to take her back, but Madison refused.

"It's noon. Hurry up and make lunch. Don't you want your daughter?"

Lise couldn't believe Madison could say such a thing. But seeing Jake and her husband looking away, she had no choice.

While cooking, Lise regretted not buying poison to end this family's hold over her.

When she finally held her daughter again, Lise realized her whole body trembled. She wanted to scream, to sob, but no sound came from her throat.

All afternoon, Lise stayed in. She cooked dinner as usual and returned to her room. Madison, either too confident or too lazy from her comfortable life, slept in the next morning. Lise didn't hesitate. She grabbed her suitcase, held her daughter, and left.

She took her daughter back to her parents' home.

It was a poor mountain village. Lise had been the one who could change her destiny. Five years ago, she defied everything to marry Jerred, causing a rift with her family.

Back then, she only wanted to escape that home. Now, she returned in defeat.

"Finally remember to came back." Her father's words were harsh, but he stepped aside to let her in. Lise felt a surge of joy.

"Dad, I want a divorce."

Her father frowned and sighed deeply. "What are you stirring up now? Your child's so young, and you're talking divorce."

"Madison keeps finding ways to torment me. I can't take it anymore."

"Every family has in-law conflicts. Are you too delicate?" Her mother didn't understand why Lise would divorce over this.

Lise asked, "Didn't you both oppose me marrying Jerred back then?"