Breaking Locks

I married a man overly attached to his mother and struggled with a spiteful mother-in-law. One day, I received a text message. It read, "I'm pregnant."

1

In the early morning, Lise Rowe sat on the living room couch. She hadn't slept all night, waiting for her hungover husband to wake up. Her in-laws had joined a three-day senior travel group.

Only Lise, her one-year-old daughter, and her husband Jerred Rowe remained at home.

Lise waited for Jerred to wake. She watched him casually wash up and walk to the dining table, expecting breakfast.

He froze. The table was empty.

"What's with no breakfast?" Jerred finally noticed Lise, who had sat on the couch all night. His tone carried a hint of complaint.

As he approached, an empty table held only a glaring divorce agreement, with a pen in Lise's hand.

"Jerred, let's get divorced." Lise's voice stayed gentle as always. Jerred seemed at a loss.

"Sign it. I only want our daughter, nothing else." Lise handed him the pen, placing it in his hand. She slid the divorce agreement closer, thoughtfully opened to the signature page. Her name appeared neat and graceful.

Jerred's hand trembled as he pushed the agreement away.

Lise felt disappointed, but it didn't matter. He would sign.

"Sign it. While your parents are away, let's hurry to City Hall and get the divorce finalized." Lise pushed the agreement back.

"Lise, what did I do wrong?"

"You didn't do anything wrong." Lise sighed. "You just didn't do anything at all."

She looked at him like he was a clueless child.

"I worked hard to earn money for our own home. I bought this place. But you brought your parents here without even asking me.

Fine, I could deal with that. Don't you see your mother bossing me around every day? At first, I thought you were just too scared to help me. Then I realized you were relieved it wasn't you dealing with her anymore.

Jerred, do I owe you something? Did I deserve to leave my hometown to marry you, to be criticized and targeted by your mother, to ruin my health after childbirth, to slave away for your family after work every day?"

Lise's emotions surged. Jerred's head hung lower.

"For the sake of our five years together, Jerred, I'm begging you. Let me go."

Jerred's trembling hand picked up the pen.

Lise watched quietly. Everything unfolded as she expected. Jerred was used to following orders, whether from his parents or her. That was why she chose him. Now, it was his fatal flaw.

"It's still early. Let's go to City Hall now." Lise moved to pick up the agreement, but the sound of the door startled her.

Hearing her in-laws return, Lise quickly stuffed the agreement into her bag.

"What are you doing?" Madison Rowe eyed Lise suspiciously, her gaze gleaming with the thrill of catching her in the act.

Lise had seen that look countless times over five years. It still chilled her heart.

"Nothing." Lise had secured the agreement and stood up calmly. She was tired of this act. "You must be tired from the trip. Go rest."

"I asked what you were doing." Madison pressed, unrelenting.

"Just some work documents," Lise said smoothly. "Can you step aside? Jerred and I need to get to work."

"Son, is that true?" Jerred didn't answer, looking helplessly at Lise.

Despite all her disappointments, this man always found a way to disappoint her more.

"Why are you looking at her? What's this woman making you do now? You're a grown man. How can you just do whatever your wife says?"

"Mom, stop asking," Jerred pleaded weakly, as usual, to no effect.