Chapter 1

After I gave birth to our third child, Silas became obsessed with a VR game.

He went as far as renovating a spare room into a high-tech gaming den. Unless he was at work, he kept himself locked inside.

He even wore the headset while eating, completely ignoring our newborn son's cries. When I fainted in the living room from a high fever, he had no idea I was even there.

I couldn't take it anymore. On the day of our son's big welcome party, I handed him the divorce papers in front of everyone.

The room fell into a shocked silence.

My father-in-law slammed his hand on the table in a rage. "All because Silas plays some games after work? You're going to blow up the whole family over that?"

My mother-in-law chimed in, her voice dripping with judgment. "It's not easy for a man to provide for a household. Gaming is a normal way to blow off steam! You're being way too controlling."

I ignored them and pushed the agreement toward him.

Silas pulled off his VR headset, his eyes bloodshot and weary.

"Avery, I'm not out partying or seeing other women. I'm just relaxing with a game. Is all this really necessary?"

He sounded so aggrieved, making me look like a hysterical madwoman.

I let out a cold laugh. I pointed toward that frozen gaming room and spoke without any emotion.

"Since you claim that game is the only place you find warmth, then I'll let you stay there forever."

1

The MC at the welcome party was still cracking jokes on stage.

I stood up slowly.

I walked over to the head table, right to where my husband Silas was sitting.

He was busy clinking glasses with his friends, his face flushed with wine. He didn't even notice me approaching.

I placed a thick envelope on the rotating tray right in front of him.

"Silas, I want a divorce."

My voice wasn't loud, but it was clear enough for everyone at the table to hear.

The music from the MC's microphone cut out abruptly.

The entire hall went silent.

Every pair of eyes in the room was fixed on me.

The smile on Silas's face froze instantly.

He grabbed my wrist and hissed under his breath.

"Avery, what the hell are you doing? Put that away! Don't humiliate us in front of everyone!"

I yanked my hand back and looked him straight in the eye.

"Humiliate you? You didn't feel humiliated when you locked yourself in that room and ignored your son and me?"

He picked up the document. The title in bold, black letters read Divorce Agreement.

He stood up abruptly, his eyes reddening as he glared at me.

"Avery, have you lost your mind? Do you know what today is? This is our son's party!"

My father-in-law's hand shook with anger as he slammed the table.

"This is ridiculous!"

He pointed a finger at my face.

"Just because Silas plays games after work? You're going to cause a scene? You've shamed the entire Miller family!"

My mother-in-law followed up, her voice sharp and shrill.

"A man works so hard to support his family! Gaming is the most normal way to decompress these days!"

"You're being a tyrant trying to control that! I can't believe we let someone like you into our family. What a curse!"

Silas began his act, sounding like a victim of a crazy wife.

"Avery, I don't drink, I don't gamble, and I don't have a mistress."

"I just play games to relax. Is it really worth blowing up our lives over?"

The guests began to whisper, their words like needles stabbing at me.

"Must be postpartum depression. Why else would she be so irrational?"

"Exactly. Silas is a good man. He provides, he stays home. What's wrong with a little gaming?"

"Women these days are so spoiled. They don't know how good they have it."

"She thinks she's the boss, trying to tell a man what to do in his own house."

Suddenly, a soft hand rested on my shoulder.

It was Elara, Silas's widowed sister-in-law.

She was wearing a modest white dress, her face a mask of perfectly curated concern.

"Avery, honey, don't be impulsive."

She spoke softly, then turned her gaze to Silas.

"Silas is stressed too. His new project at the firm has been grueling. He just needs a little escape in his game. You have to be more understanding."

She paused, looking back at me with a saintly expression.

"Men are like big kids sometimes; you have to coax them. You've had a long few months with the baby, but don't throw your marriage away. It's so hurtful to even say the word divorce."

In a few sentences, she had made me the villain for being "unsupportive."

I looked at her and curled my lip.

"You're so incredibly understanding, Elara."

"You seem to know him even better than his own wife does."

The smile on Elara's face flickered for a second, a flash of annoyance in her eyes.

Silas immediately jumped to her defense, snapping at me.

"Avery, watch your mouth! Why are you being so nasty to her?"

"She's trying to help you, and you're acting like a total brat!"

I felt a cold laugh bubbling in my chest.

Look at how blatantly he chose her over me.

I stopped caring about this circle of hypocrites and focused back on Silas.

"Are you signing it or not?"

"If you don't, I'll see you in court."

My voice was flat, devoid of any warmth.

Silas was visibly shaken by my coldness. His face turned a deep shade of red.

"Avery, you're really going to be this heartless?"

"Over a stupid game, you're going to walk away from our home?"

The chatter from the guests grew even louder.

"She's insane. Her need for control is toxic."

"She's throwing away a perfect life just to cause drama."

"Silas really picked the wrong woman."

I stood there, the target of everyone's judgment.

They looked at me like I was a monster.

I was completely alone in a room full of people.