Episode 5

The room suddenly felt silent.

Robin was speechless, unable to believe what he had just heard.

Sofia kept looking at him, without hesitation, without fear. No more of the submissive woman he had known all this time.

Robin tried to read his wife's expression. Usually, if they argued, or rather, if he scolded Sofia, she would choose to be silent, look down, and apologize even if she was not at fault.

But not this time.

Sofia was completely serious.

Robin felt his chest heat up with mounting anger. His teeth were clenched tightly. "What did you say?" his voice sounded sharp.

Sofia took a deep breath. Then, in a more firm voice, she repeated, "I want us to get divorced."

Robin stood for a few seconds, staring at Sofia who sat silently with a cold gaze. His feelings were mixed, not knowing whether to feel angry, confused, or even a little worried.

Robin should feel relieved, shouldn't he? After everything that had happened, after years of marriage that felt like an empty routine, he should feel free if Sofia finally asked for that divorce, right? And be able to marry Vanessa, the woman he had loved for a long time.

But for some reason, hearing those words come out of Sofia's mouth, there was a strange feeling that hit his chest.

"This is childish, Sofia," he said in a low but firm tone. "We're old, we've been together for too long. Why get divorced now?"

Sofia was silent, not changing position, not responding. Her sharp eyes remained fixed in the same direction.

"If you're tired of housework, we can find a way out, Sofia. But divorce? That's not a solution!" Robin's voice began to sound softer but still flat, as if trying to convince himself.

However, Sofia still did not speak. The silence between them deepened.

Finally, after a few seconds that felt like forever, Robin took a deep breath. "Think carefully, Sofia," he said, looking down at the floor. "You're too tired. This is not the time to make big decisions. Tomorrow, I don't want you to be like this. Behave like you have been lately."

Sofia remained motionless, not uttering a single word. Robin felt his confusion deepen, but he chose to leave.

With quick steps, Robin left the room and headed to the dressing room. Sofia heard him enter the bathroom, and finally, she was truly alone in the room.

Sofia stared blankly at the closed door, and for the first time in years, she felt the heavy burden that had been pressing on her begin to lift little by little. Her wounded heart was no longer filled with fear of loss, instead, a sense of freedom began to flow.

Wait for my divorce papers, Sofia thought to herself, in a deep and determined voice.

Sofia knew her decision was final. There was no more room for lies, no more reason to maintain a bond that had only bound her in falsehood and unhappiness.

Robin might think this was just a phase or just because she was tired of the household routine. But Sofia had made a decision. And this time, that decision was for herself.

That morning, Sofia sat calmly at the dining table, enjoying her fresh salad while reading a fashion magazine. There was no aroma of cooking that usually filled the house, no sound of pans clashing in the kitchen, and most strikingly, there was no Sofia busy serving them.

Her mother-in-law, Saskia, sat in her chair with a grumpy expression, staring at Sofia who seemed relaxed. Last night, she had contacted her in-law, Leta, Sofia's biological mother, to come and see for herself how her daughter had changed.

Soon after, the sound of footsteps was heard, and Mrs. Leta entered the dining room. Initially, she doubted whether Saskia was just exaggerating. How could Sofia, her daughter who was always obedient and gentle, suddenly change?

But as soon as she saw her daughter sitting relaxed without the slightest intention of preparing breakfast as usual, Leta finally believed it.

"Sofia?" Leta called, trying to attract her daughter's attention.

Sofia glanced briefly, then continued to enjoy her breakfast without being disturbed.

Saskia snorted in annoyance. "See? She doesn't even care that her mother came! You have to talk to her, Leta! Sofia can't be like this!"

Leta sighed, feeling hesitant. "Sofia, why didn't you prepare breakfast?" she asked, still in a gentle tone.

Sofia chewed leisurely before answering, "Because I don't want to."

Such a simple answer, but enough to make Saskia almost explode.

At that moment, Mikaila and Reno came down from their respective rooms, both still half-asleep.

"Mom, where's breakfast?" Mikaila asked bluntly.

Sofia remained calm while spooning her salad. "Wait for the maid to make it, or cook it yourself," she replied flatly.

Mikaila frowned. "But the maid's cooking doesn't suit our taste..."

Reno nodded in agreement. "Yeah, only Mom can cook well."

Instantly, the atmosphere became silent.

Sofia finally closed her magazine, then looked at her two children with a calm expression. "Oh? Mom's cooking is delicious? Then why do you always complain every day?"

They both fell silent.

Saskia and Leta also went silent.

Sofia looked at each of their faces one by one with a flat expression. "Every day, you always have an excuse to complain. The rice is too mushy, the side dishes lack seasoning, the pancakes are too sweet. If Mom's cooking is the best, why are there always complaints every time you eat?"

Mikaila and Reno looked at each other, unable to answer.

Leta bit her lip, as if wanting to scold Sofia, but there was something in her daughter's gaze that made her hesitate.

Saskia became increasingly annoyed, but before she had a chance to speak, Sofia had already gotten up from her chair.

"From now on, I will only do what I want," Sofia said casually. "I have sacrificed myself enough for 22 years. Now, it's your turn to take care of yourselves."

Without waiting for a response, Sofia took her plate to the kitchen, leaving everyone in a tense silence.

Robin came out of his room with a slightly sleepy expression, but as soon as he saw his mother, his mother-in-law, and his two children sitting in silence with inexplicable faces, he immediately felt that something was wrong.

Saskia, who was the first to see Robin, immediately got up with an angry face. "Robin! Look what your wife has done! She is completely ungrateful! How dare she defy my words and refuse to prepare breakfast!"

Leta, Sofia's mother, only sighed softly. She did not join in Saskia's anger, but from her eyes, it was clear that she was also confused by her daughter's drastic change.

Robin rubbed his face tiredly, then sat down in his chair. "I already said, don't be childish, Sofia," he muttered in a flat tone.

At the same time, Sofia came out of the kitchen, carrying a cup of coffee for herself, completely unaffected by the tense atmosphere in the dining room.

Robin finally looked at her, then sighed. "Do you still want to act like this? I already said, stop being childish. You're just tired, and..."

Unconsciously, Robin continued, "Do you think asking for a divorce will solve everything?"

Instantly, the atmosphere became silent.

All eyes immediately turned to Robin.

Saskia's eyes widened. "What?"

***This work has been signed with NovelToon, and piracy such as reprinting without permission is strictly prohibited.***

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***