Episode 4

Sofia returned home as the sun began to set on the western horizon. With calm steps, she carried several paper bags filled with drawing supplies she had just bought.

However, as she approached the front door, her eyes met the sharp gaze of someone who was already standing there waiting for her: Saskia, her mother-in-law.

The woman crossed her arms in front of her chest, her expression full of displeasure. "Where have you been all day?" she asked in a sharp tone. "Why aren't you at home taking care of everything as usual?"

In the past, a question like this would have made Sofia bow her head and feel guilty.

But today was different.

Sofia calmly placed her shopping bags on the table, then took off her coat. She looked at her mother-in-law without a hint of fear.

"What's the point of having a maid if I have to do everything myself?" she replied casually. "Besides, I'm not a maid."

Saskia's eyes widened in shock.

In all her life knowing Sofia as a daughter-in-law, this was the first time the woman had dared to contradict her. Usually, Sofia would just smile, apologize, and go back to work without protest. But not today.

Saskia refused to accept it. "What do you mean? You're the daughter-in-law in this house, it's your duty to take care of your husband, children, and the house!"

Sofia smiled thinly, but her smile was cold. "I think that's the job of everyone who lives in this house. I'm not the only one with hands and feet."

Saskia's gaze sharpened, but Sofia didn't care anymore. She grabbed her shopping items and walked past her mother-in-law with an indifferent attitude.

For the first time in over twenty years, Sofia felt light.

And for the first time, Saskia felt something she had never felt from her daughter-in-law: such a great distance, as if Sofia was no longer the woman she could control at will.

"Sofia! Where do you think you're going?" Saskia exclaimed angrily.

Sofia stopped for a moment, then turned to her mother-in-law with a lazy face. "I'm tired! I want to rest."

After saying that, Sofia really left her mother-in-law with an angry face.

After Sofia disappeared into her room, Saskia was still standing in the living room with a flushed face. Her chest rose and fell, her emotions were really ignited.

"What is that woman?! How dare she contradict me!" she muttered to herself while stomping her feet in annoyance.

Just then, Robin, Reno, and Mikaila entered the house. They had just come home and were immediately greeted by the unusual sight of Saskia pacing back and forth while angrily muttering to herself.

Mikaila frowned. "Grandma, what's wrong? Why are you angry?" she asked curiously.

Saskia turned with an expression of disbelief. "Do you know? Your mother just came home from who knows where, she hasn't been home all day!" her voice rose, making the three people in front of her exchange glances.

"So?" Reno asked lazily, as if he didn't care.

Saskia became even more annoyed. "So?! Don't you feel like something's wrong?! She's a wife and a housewife, her job is at home, not wandering around outside to who knows where!"

Robin finally spoke up. "Where did Sofia go?"

Saskia snorted. "I don't know! What's clear is that she just came home this afternoon, carrying shopping bags, and even worse, she dared to contradict me! The old Sofia would never answer my words like that!"

Robin was silent for a moment, digesting his mother's words. Mikaila and Reno also began to feel that something was strange.

"Sofia contradicted you?" Robin finally asked, sounding incredulous.

Saskia nodded quickly. "Yes! She said she's not a maid! Can you imagine?! All this time, she's never said anything like that. I'm sure there's something wrong with her."

Robin frowned. Indeed, Sofia was usually a submissive wife, always silent and accepting all treatment without protest. So, this change felt unusual.

Mikaila rolled her eyes. "Maybe Mom's having a midlife crisis or something," she mumbled casually.

Reno shrugged. "Just let it be. As long as she still takes care of the house and cooks for us, I don't care."

Saskia snorted in annoyance. "You guys! Can't you be a little more assertive with your mother? If she starts acting up, I'm worried she'll become even bolder!"

Robin took a deep breath. Honestly, he didn't really care. From the beginning, he married Sofia not because of love, so as long as Sofia continued to carry out her duties as a wife and housewife, he wouldn't make much of a fuss about her attitude.

But, if Sofia really started to change, he had to make sure the woman didn't go any further.

"I'll talk to her later," Robin finally said.

Saskia nodded in satisfaction. "Good. Make sure she doesn't forget who she is!"

However, in the room, Sofia just sat quietly, looking at her first sketch.

Without them realizing it, the Sofia they had known all this time was gone.

****

Sofia was still sitting at her desk, her fingers gently touching the design sketch she had just made. It had been years since she had drawn, and now she felt something rising within her again. Something she had once abandoned for a family that had never even appreciated her.

However, that tranquility was shattered when the bedroom door opened without a knock.

Robin stood in the doorway with a cold expression, as usual. However, this time there was a slight impatience in his eyes.

Sofia didn't react. She just remained seated, as if the man's arrival was unimportant to her.

Robin stepped inside, closing the door behind him, then crossed his arms. "What's going on with you?" he asked directly. "Mom complained that you're starting to contradict her and not taking care of the house as usual."

Sofia didn't answer. She didn't even turn her head slightly, just remained focused on her design, as if her husband was just a passing breeze.

Robin frowned, feeling strange. Since they got married, Sofia had never once ignored him like this. Usually, if he spoke, Sofia would listen attentively, even if he was just giving orders or criticism. But today was different.

Robin approached, stood beside the table, then spoke louder. "Sofia, I'm talking to you."

Still no response.

For the first time in decades of their marriage, Robin felt as if his existence was being ignored.

Anger began to creep into his chest. He was not used to being ignored like this, especially by his own wife.

With a quick movement, he grabbed Sofia's arm and pulled her roughly. "Don't ignore me, Sofia!"

However, what happened next shocked Robin even more.

Sofia deftly brushed his hand away.

Not just brushing it away, but with enough force to make Robin take a step back.

"What's wrong with you, Sofia? And what do you want?" Robin asked coldly.

"You want to know what I want? Alright, listen to me carefully...." Sofia sighed, then raised her gaze.

Sofia's eyes met Robin's. For the first time in their marriage, Sofia looked at him not with obedience or fear, but with a cold gaze that seemed to penetrate into his soul.

Then, in a calm but piercing voice, Sofia said, "Let's get divorced."

Thud!

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