Gifts from My In-laws

Part 4. Divorce

I immediately left the room to meet them, who had suddenly fallen silent since realizing my arrival earlier.

"Shall we talk here?" I asked while standing upright. With a composed yet firm expression, I directed my gaze at their eyes.

Usually, I always behaved gently, politely, and humbly in front of Harry, especially with Mother and Father. I never stood tall and came across as assertive. However, the situation and conditions are different now. I must be able to position myself. If I continue to be humble in this situation, it will seem weak. They will feel free to intimidate.

Everyone remained silent. Including Mother. Even though she had always quickly responded to my words with harsh or sharp remarks.

Harry, too, seemed to stare at me as if I were a foreign creature they had just encountered.

"Are we not going to talk?" I asked softly and calmly. However, leaving a slight impression of threat. Because if they just remain silent and the discussion is canceled, they are the ones who lose. I don't mind. Aren't they the ones who have an interest in this conversation?

"If not, I want to sleep," I continued. I wove a thin smile on my lips.

"Dear...." Harry called as if just realizing.

"Yes?" I replied quickly.

"Sit down," he said.

"Okay," I responded casually, then walked slowly towards them. Nika, who was previously sitting next to Harry, scooted over to give me space.

Hmm, she knows her place. However, I was already reluctant to sit close to Harry.

"It's okay, Nika. Stay there. I'll sit here," I held her back. The three of them, Nika, Harry, and Mother, sat in a row on the long sofa. Shane and Father each sat on a single sofa on the left and right sides.

I pulled another single sofa and placed it facing Harry.

"What do you want to talk about, Harry?" I asked calmly. Although only calm on the outside, inside, my heart was already in turmoil. A mix of emotions; disappointment, anger, rage, blending without boundaries, causing my heart to heat up.

Harry cleared his throat. He seemed awkward and several times adjusted his sitting position and straightened his shoulders. He also appeared to take several deep breaths, as if hesitant to start speaking. I, who was waiting, began to get annoyed. It felt like singing the scout chant we used to echo whenever a friend responded slowly.

It felt so long... It felt so long.

Impatient to wait for the first sentence he would say. Even though I could already guess what that sentence would be.

"Dear." His voice began to be heard, "I... will marry Nika," he said. Just as I guessed. Even though I expected it, it still felt painful, cutting through the soul.

What woman wouldn't feel hurt when her husband says he will marry again? No matter how strong a woman is, no matter how sincere she is about polygamy, I am sure that in the deepest corner of her heart, there is a feeling of jealousy that causes pain.

"And then?" I responded, feigning calm. I scanned his eyes, waiting for the next sentence.

"I hope you will allow it," he replied.

I let out a long sigh for a few moments.

"Is my permission still necessary?" I asked. This time, sarcastically.

Did he ask for my permission when he brought that woman to this house?

When they were being intimate in the open space in front of my room, did they ask for permission?

When their whole family discussed the marriage plan, did they ask for my permission?

If he truly respected me, he should have talked to me and asked for permission before planning a marriage and bringing that woman here.

"Well, yeah. Why should he need to ask for permission at all? You're a man, you have the right to decide everything on your own," Mother interjected. I snorted.

Mother... Your words only add fuel to the fire.

I took a deep breath to calm myself. In my heart, I wanted to respond harshly to Mother's words. However, no matter how hurtful her words, she is a parent who should not be treated harshly.

"Mother...," I said, trying to stay calm, "Harry indeed should ask for permission and discuss every issue with me as his wife. He shouldn't decide on his own. Especially for the desire to marry again. Harry should ask for permission, but that was before Nika came to this house." Nika turned away.

"If Mother thinks a husband doesn't need to ask his wife's permission to marry, be careful, tomorrow you might suddenly have a companion."

I turned to Father with a cheeky smile. The man, more than half a century old, looked flustered and awkward.

"What are you talking about?" he said with an awkward grin. Meanwhile, when I glanced at Mother, her face was flushed red.

"So, do you still need my permission, Harry?" I refocused on Harry. The man was silent. He seemed to swallow several times. Perhaps his throat suddenly tightened.

"What if I don't allow it?" I asked, interrogating.

"I will marry Nika, with or without your permission," he stated firmly. I fell silent, holding back the piercing pain. I calmed my heart again with several deep breaths.

"Did you forget that the company where you work prohibits polygamy?"

"Are you threatening me?" he asked, his tone slightly raised, "You won't report me, will you?"

"Why not? I have connections there," I replied calmly, yet challengingly.

"Sapphire...!" he exclaimed. He looked worried.

"But don't worry, I never intended to report Harry," I replied with a smile, enjoying the worried expression he displayed.

"Because polygamy will never happen," I continued coldly. I locked eyes with him intensely. He was stunned, staring in shock. The same expression was on Mother's and Nika's faces. Meanwhile, Father and Shane seemed neutral, either way, they're fine with it.

"I never want to be second. Never...." I glanced at Nika, the woman sitting next to him, "I don't believe Harry can be fair. Both physically and emotionally," I asserted.

The man returned my gaze sharply, "Are you aware of the consequences you will face from what you said, Sapphire?" he asked.

"Very aware," I replied.

"I will divorce you," he continued. I was silent, already suspecting he would choose that woman.

"If you choose her, maybe it's better than our relationship being a constant thorn in the side," I replied.

"What about Emil?" he asked.

"What's wrong with Emil?" I quickly responded.

"Aren't you worried about him if we separate?"

"Are you sure you'll care about him even if we stay together?" I retorted sarcastically.

" Sapphire!"

"Yes."

I calmly met Harry's sharp gaze. His breathing seemed slightly rapid.

"Harry...." Nika spoke while holding Harry's hand. Seeing it made me furious. The man turned, looking wistful.

"Isn't it better this way?" he asked softly. I snorted. I smiled bitterly. It was revealed that he indeed wanted us to separate. If I chose to stay, he would surely find many ways to make Harry entirely his.

"Yes, Harry. It's better to just separate. It's not your fault, she's the one who asked for it," added Mother.

"But, Mom...."

"No ifs or buts. If she doesn't allow you to marry again, it's better to just divorce her. You should never have married in the first place." I simply savored every painful word from Mother. Perhaps this would be the last time. I let them debate among themselves. I'll just be a spectator for now while calming my emotions.

"You said you never loved her, so why is it hard to divorce her?" the woman asked. I chuckled. Only Allah, he, and I know why it's difficult for him to divorce me. Of course, I don't believe love is involved.

"Sapphire, we don't need to separate. I will try to be fair." The man ignored the words of the two women beside him.

Fair? Even to that woman, he said he never loved me, how can he be fair? And I know him completely. It's very hard to believe he can be fair.

"Even if you can be fair, I don't want to. My heart is not as perfect as the wives of the Prophet who were willing to be shared. Besides, I'm really not sure," I quickly countered. Not wanting to give him any room for excuses.

"Harry, I ask you to divorce her immediately if you truly love me. If not, I can't trust you anymore." The woman started to show her true colors.

"I will be a better companion than her, always loyal to you," she continued. I laughed cynically. Love-struck fool. Let's see how long that lasts.

"Do you promise?" The man held Nika's hand while looking wistful. My heart ached at the sight.

"Yes," the woman replied, smiling and nodding. I looked away.

"Yes, Harry. Just divorce her quickly, she'll probably regret it later. No need to give her any of the assets," Mother said cynically.

"Alright...." Harry's voice was heard. My heart trembled as he cleared his throat again and straightened his back. Ready to begin the string of words that would mark the start of a new chapter in my life.

"Sapphire Kensington, I divorce you with one repudiation. From this moment, I release you and relinquish my responsibility for you," he declared loudly.

I closed my eyes. Feeling the pain penetrate deeper. My eyes warmed, and I let a tear or two flow. The bond I had tried to tie tightly for the past three years finally unraveled.

"Thank you," I said with trembling lips. I scanned the face that had become unfamiliar to me. He bowed his head.

"Dear." I paused because my voice was still shaky. I adjusted my breathing rate again.

"I've researched the divorce procedure," I said, "Every divorced wife has a waiting period, and as far as I know, it must be spent at her husband's house."

I paused again to calm myself, ensuring my words didn't tremble. I must not appear shaken.

"Therefore, whether I like it or not, I will stay in this house for the next three months. I will occupy Emil's room," I said. Honestly, I'm already fed up with staying in this house. However, following Allah's command is non-negotiable.

"While I'm still in this house, I can no longer take care of you. So go ahead and marry Nika. You don't need to worry about me anymore. Along with the divorce, I've freed you to do whatever you want." I looked at Harry, who was still bowing his head for a few moments, then turned to look at Mother.

"Mother, I'm not asking for any share of the property. Not a single penny. When I leave this house, I will go as I came," I said calmly. Even when I was still Harry's wife, Mother always mentioned the wealth I enjoyed. If I demanded a share of the property, my life might not be peaceful due to their constant resentment.

"All the documents and asset records are in this envelope, and from now on, I hand them over to Harry to be managed by his new wife." I placed the envelope on the table, in front of Harry. The man remained silent, bowing his head even more.