Chapter 26 Settling Things with My Wife
Settling Things with My Wife
When my in-laws made Rina, who was in a daze, sit in a chair, it was time to finally settle things.
“Well, that’s the end of our discussion. Please fill out this document.”
Tokudou-san calmly placed the divorce paper on the table.
Of course, my column was already filled in.
I never thought I’d be in a situation like this, especially so soon after our wedding.
When Rina saw them, she was more upset than ever.
She probably didn’t expect to get a divorce, but this was all a result of Rina’s own actions.
“N-no…! H-hey… Makoto, you still love me, right? Let’s stop this. Let’s make up, okay?”
Still thinking that we could make up, Rina asked me for help with a flirtatious voice.
But I don’t want to spoil Rina anymore.
“No, I don’t love you anymore. I hate you.”
“Eh…? Y-you hate me…? S-such a thing….”
I was actually surprised by Rina’s flowery thinking that she still thinks I like her in this situation.
But Rina didn’t even pick up the pen that came with the divorce paper and just bowed her head, her hands clenched tightly in her lap.
“Can’t you hurry up and write?”
I urge Rina impatiently.
But as if she thought of something, Rina got up from her chair and suddenly knelt on the floor, bowing her head.
Everyone was surprised by the sudden prostration.
That’s right, I never thought the proud Rina would do something like that.
“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry! I was wrong…! I never thought this would happen. I was so shallow, I’m sorry…!”
“Rina, stop it.”
“Right, it’s too late to apologize now.”
My in-laws try to get Rina to stand up, but she stubbornly refuses to move.
She apologizes, shedding large tears one by one, and this is probably the first time she has ever done so.
“I… I was really selfish. Because you were kind, you smiled and forgave me no matter what I said… Taking advantage of that, I… I started saying more and more cruel things… I couldn’t stop myself… and eventually, I developed romantic feelings for another man… I know it’s unforgivable, and I regret it now… I’m really sorry…!”
Rina speaks at length, but it doesn’t reach my heart.
Her words sound like excuses.
No matter what she says, it’s too late now.
She has to understand that too, but she can’t accept it.
As she cries, she clings to me.
“But… I don’t want a divorce…! I hate it…! I… I still want to be with you…! Even if you hate me… I just want to be by your side…! Please… Please…!”
At this point, Rina refuses the divorce.
The current Rina has become a weak figure as if she had returned to the past.
In the past, she was a meek and weak woman, but she was kind to everyone. That’s what attracted me to her.
But when I remember the days when I was abused, I can’t forgive her. I don’t love her anymore.
“I’m sorry, but it’s too late. Who do you think caused this?”
“Sorry… I’m so sorry….”
“I have accepted your apology. But to forgive or not to forgive is another matter. You betrayed me.”
“I’m not asking you to forgive me for what happened…! I’ll pay you alimony too…! But I want you to let me stay by your side… If you abandon me, I… I can’t live… Please… Please…!”
Without any shame, she just cries and begs.
If it were the former me, I might have said, “That’s enough, I understand,” and forgiven her.
But I’m different now. I can’t forgive her at all.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t care about your circumstances. The only thing you can do is to sign this divorce paper.”
“No…! No…!”
Rina cries like a child, but honestly, I’m fed up.
I can’t divorce her if she doesn’t sign.
While wondering what to do, Hana-chan looked at Rina and spoke to her.
“Why don’t you stop acting like that? It’s embarrassing for an adult… You did something like that. If you want to blame someone, blame your past self.”
“No, no, no!”
As if Hana-chan’s words made her feel ashamed of her past actions, Rina cried out loudly for a long time.
After a while, Rina seemed to give up and started writing the divorce paper with shaking hands.
Her face was filled with despair, and she had a lifeless expression as if she were about to die.
I felt sorry for her, but I couldn’t bring myself to say anything.
“…Yes, I confirmed it. If Uchida-san submits this to the city hall and it is accepted, the divorce will be final. As for the alimony, I will contact you later, so please wait. …Well then, I’ll take my leave.”
“Makoto-kun, I’m really sorry. I promise to get Rina to pay you the alimony, even if I have to make her borrow money.”
“I am sorry, Makoto-kun. Please contact me again if anything happens. I’ll pick up her belongings later.”
Tokudou-san, who gave me the divorce paper, my in-laws and Hanan-chan, who apologized to me again, and Sougen-san and Fushimi-san also left one by one.
Rina is also leaving with her parents.
I guess this is the last lesson they can teach her as parents. I feel a little sorry.
As she left, Rina muttered, “…I’m sorry,” but I pretended not to hear.
“Phew… It’s over.”
Suddenly alone, I sat down on a chair and let out a deep sigh.
Even though it was only an hour, I felt very tired, but I felt like a weight had finally been lifted from my shoulders.
“Goodbye, Rina….”
I said goodbye to the person I used to love so much, and for some reason, I couldn’t stop the tears that naturally flowed, and I cried alone.