Chapter 4 Let's Get Divorced

But just as her fingertip was about to touch the screen, Larry's call came through first.

Aria's vision wavered slightly, her expression wooden. She waited nearly ten seconds before answering.

"The doctor said Mom's knee is fine—just needs a few days' rest."

Aria said nothing, her fingertips gripping the phone so tightly they turned white, an invisible oppression spreading around her.

When Larry received no response, his brow furrowed, displeasure creeping into his tone.

"Mom wants homemade chicken noodle soup. Make some and bring it over, and apologize to her in person."

Larry's words were so matter-of-fact.

The only thing she needed to apologize for was marrying him in the first place—becoming an obstacle between him and Sophie.

Aria had never felt this exhausted, lacking even the strength to speak.

"Aria, are you even listening to me?"

Just as Larry was losing patience, Aria took a deep breath, forcing her voice to sound calm and steady. "Got it."

After her brief reply came the harsh, endless dial tone.

Larry had hung up without hesitation, as if every extra word with her was a waste of his precious time.

Yet Aria clearly remembered that with Sophie, no matter how much she whined, Larry never showed the slightest impatience—he actually enjoyed it.

Aria's lips twitched into something resembling a smile as she dragged her heavy body to the kitchen, made the chicken noodle soup, and headed to the hospital.

When she reached the hospital room door, she heard Hazel's furious voice from inside.

"If she hadn't used her disability to trap you into marriage, you wouldn't have been stuck all these years! Sophie's back now—I say divorce Aria immediately and start your new life!"

Larry stood before Hazel, eyes downcast, his low voice betraying no emotion, as if merely stating a fact.

"Mom, Aria became disabled because of me. I have to take responsibility."

"You've been responsible long enough! Are you really going to waste the rest of your life too? If she had any decency, she'd take a settlement and leave, instead of clinging to you like a ghost!"

Hazel's voice was shrill and grating. Larry said nothing more, offered no defense of Aria.

Aria's body swayed unsteadily. She had to brace herself against the wall as her eyes burned with unshed tears.

Responsibility had Larry in shackles.

Even Larry himself believed she'd manipulated him with her injury, ruining his life.

If not for her, Larry would already be living the dream with Sophie—not stuck looking at a disabled woman day after day.

Aria looked down at herself with self-mockery.

She wanted desperately to cry, but her eyes were dry and numb. She'd run out of tears long ago.

She just felt tired.

All these years, she'd thought if she just persisted, Larry would at least acknowledge her.

But now she finally understood.

Everything she'd done was nothing but wishful thinking.

Just then, Hazel spotted Aria standing in the doorway. Her expression darkened instantly.

"Since you're here, what are you standing there for? Get in here!"

Larry's gaze also fell on her.

He stared at Aria silently, showing no intention of explaining anything.

To him, whether Aria misunderstood or not simply didn't matter.

Aria forcibly suppressed the pain in her heart and walked to the bedside. She opened the container and handed the soup to Hazel.

Larry cleared his throat softly, giving her a look. Aria naturally understood what he meant.

"Mom, I shouldn't have... acted out today. It was my fault."

Aria's tone was hollow, as if floating from somewhere far away, branded with deep despair and powerlessness.

Hazel snorted coldly, looking her up and down, the contempt in her eyes unmistakable.

"Good that you know. From now on, whatever your husband and mother-in-law tell you to do, you obey. If you talk back or get physical again like today, the York family won't tolerate a daughter-in-law like you!"

Aria didn't respond, unconsciously clenching her palms, the redness in her eyes growing more pronounced.

What was the point of explaining?

Besides, soon she wouldn't be the York family's daughter-in-law anymore.

Larry glanced at Aria, his brow slightly furrowed.

If this were before, Aria would definitely have talked back or defended herself.

But today she was strangely silent.

Could it be she'd actually learned her lesson?

"Mom, Aria and I should head back. Rest that knee properly. I'll arrange for professional care."

After speaking, Larry led Aria out of the hospital.

Once in the car, Larry didn't have the driver start immediately. Instead, he had him wait outside.

The car interior fell into deathly silence.

Aria stared fixedly at the pitch-black night scene outside until Larry's low, detached voice broke through.

"You know Mom's temperament. Whatever she asks you to do, just go along with it. She'll back off on her own."

Aria's pupils constricted sharply, her nails suddenly digging into her palms.

All these years, Larry had actually known what Hazel was doing to her—he'd just chosen to turn a blind eye.

She'd thought that after today, Larry's attitude toward her might improve at least slightly.

But no—Larry would defend anyone except her.

At this moment, Aria's heart felt like it was being pierced by countless fine needles, the pain excruciating.

She slowly turned to look at Larry, this man she'd loved for years, and her lips curved into a self-mocking smile.

"No matter what I do, in your eyes I deserve everything I get, don't I?"

Larry's brow furrowed tightly, complex emotions surfacing in his dark, unfathomable eyes.

"You don't need to overthink it. All these years, I've treated you as my wife. Naturally, I've fulfilled my duties as a husband. I haven't shortchanged you."

Larry indeed hadn't shortchanged her materially—every need met, every comfort provided.

But whenever he faced her, he was like a soulless puppet, merely executing the program of "husband."

His so-called "not shortchanging" her was nothing more than letting her survive as a human being.

Besides, in everyone else's eyes now, she wasn't even a whole person—she was damaged goods.

She was so tired.

She didn't want to continue this respectful-but-distant marriage anymore.

Aria's lashes trembled. Beneath her eyelids, the redness seemed like thick blood about to spill from her eyes.

Her voice came out trembling, weighted with heavy suppression.

"Larry, let's get a divorce."