[2]

"Did you hear what Arslan wanted, Helena?"

Helena turned her head to the source of the voice. Mirna's voice had been friendly and welcoming, but now? It was harsh, unfriendly, and gave the impression that Helena was someone who needed to be removed from this house immediately.

"But what Arslan wants is a divorce, mother," Helena said, still trying to speak politely. She had been taught since childhood to always speak politely and to respect the people around her. Even though Mirna's attitude made Helena more and more angry and disrespectful, she tried to bear it.

"So?" Mirna approached Helena immediately. "Why didn't you grant my son's wish?"

Helena blinked in disbelief. She thought there was still some normal thinking left in her mother-in-law's head. Unfortunately, this was not the case. Instead, Helena got the impression that she was the one in the corner. It was clear from the look in Mirna's and Yori's eyes that they wanted Helena to leave the house immediately.

"Did you hear what my mother said, Helena?" Yori was impatient. Her eyes looked angry when she saw the figure of Helena, whom she should have respected as a sister-in-law. But the reality in front of her eyes said that Helena's position might make it difficult for her in the future. Besides, Arslan is quite popular among successful businessmen. Yori is afraid that her brother will be ashamed to have a plebeian wife like Helena.

Meanwhile, Tiara looked satisfied. What she has wanted for a long time - to get Arslan's attention and to be married to him soon - has come true. The only obstacle was Helena, the woman Arslan loved. But Tiara is not lacking in resourcefulness, she makes it impossible for Arslan to look away from her. Especially when a fetus from her hot relationship with Arslan grows in her womb.

This is what Helena couldn't give to Arslan during her three years of marriage.

All things considered, Tiara was sure that she would win.

"So... this is really your wish, Arslan?" Helena asked after taking a deep breath. Although her hands were clenched tightly, her disappointment and heartache were deep, she tried to remain calm. Even now, when she looked at her husband. Who was standing next to a third person who threatened the integrity of the household Helena defended.

But what was the point of forcing herself between them? It's clear that they don't want Helena there, right? She's quite self-aware and understands that this is the only purpose of her existence during their three years of marriage.

"Yes," Arslan said confidently. His eyes no longer looked at Helena the way they used to - friendly, full of warmth, love and great affection. All that was gone. Replaced by a cold, piercing look, as if Helena was an object that could be thrown away.

"Okay." Helena smiled slightly. "I understand." She looked at the piece of paper Arslan had brought earlier. "Can I borrow your pen? I don't want to prolong your desire to get rid of me." Helena looked wistfully at the piece of paper that was now the focus of her attention.

"You should know, Helena," Mirna said in her usual haughty tone. Her look at her daughter-in-law was condescending and dismissive. "You won't get a share of Arslan's hard work. All this time, my son has achieved a glorious career because of his efforts. You're just a useless wife now, so don't expect anything."

At first, Helena wanted to sign in the marked place. But when she heard Mirna's words, Helena looked back at her mother-in-law. "I didn't ask for anything, so you don't have to worry."

"That's good." Mirna laughed mischievously. "Most of the things in this house were bought with Arslan's money. My proud son worked hard to make his dream house come true. I don't want any of the things you brought. It would be better if my new daughter-in-law used it. Tiara."

Tiara smiled awkwardly. "Mom, don't be like that. I'm really embarrassed."

Mirna stammered. "We have to treat you well. If it wasn't for your connections and family, Arslan wouldn't have got the project yesterday. I salute you for standing by Arslan's side."

Tiara put on another triumphant smile.

Helena, meanwhile, was completely cornered on all sides. All she could do was end it all right now. It was useless for her to defend herself, right?

Mirna looked back at Helena with a desperate expression. "There's only one thing you're good at, Helena. You're a woman who knows herself. So self-confident that you don't realize that Arslan needs offspring, too." Mirna crossed her arms over her chest. Her eyes continued to look down at the woman who had been her son's companion for the last few years.

In fact, Mirna was lucky to have Helena as a daughter-in-law. She seldom argued and did what was asked of her without much complaint. But Mirna wanted more than an obedient daughter-in-law. She had to be able to make her son proud, especially in front of many businessmen, and come from a respected family.

Not like Helena.

Helena closed her eyes tightly. Her grip on Arslan's feather was so strong. She hoped that Arslan would find some excuse for what had happened to her. But what? Nothing at all. Instead, Helena got the impression that Arslan ignored her. And what did Mirna say? Offspring?

"Whether I have offspring or not, it's not my will, mother. Shouldn't you understand that?"

Mirna clucked in displeasure. "Then what, are you saying that Arslan can't have children?" She pointed at Tiara's slightly bulging belly. "Then what is it?"

Helena stared at the sight, which made her heart ache even more.

"You're the one who can't be the perfect wife for Arslan. Can't help him to excel in his work. Can only be a burden to my son, Helena," Mirna cursed, not caring that Helena was hurt.

"So... a woman my husband got pregnant, you defend more, mother?" asked Helena in a trembling tone. "She's clearly the third person in our household!"

"That's obvious!" Mirna looked up even more. "I was expecting a child from the Tan family right away, but you couldn't fulfill it. What good are you as Arslan's wife and my daughter-in-law?! Nothing!"

"Do you really think that I'm useless? Everything I've done in the last three years, wasted just because of this cheap woman?"

"Watch your language, Helena!" snapped Mirna. She prevented Arslan from speaking by moving her body closer to Helena. "What you call this cheap woman is the future daughter-in-law of the Tan family. The girl who will give me offspring. In her womb is Arslan's future baby. And you? Just a deformed woman, useless for my son's life!"

"I am not crippled!" Helena snapped. Her anger was at its peak. She stared at the middle-aged woman she had come to respect with a look full of emotion. "Every time I asked Arslan to check..."

Helena's words were cut short. She felt heat around her face and an excruciating buzzing in her ears. When she turned her head, Arslan was close by. The hand that had been holding Helena flew to her cheek. The hand Helena had been clinging to slapped her hard.

"Don't ever shout at my mother, Helena," Arslan said in a stifled tone. "Sign the letter right now and get out of here."

Helena still couldn't believe what she felt. She rubbed her newly sore and certainly reddened cheeks. Mirna, who stood not far from her, smiled mockingly. Just like Tiara and Yori. God, they were all so rude.

The affair that was fully supported, the betrayal her husband openly committed and the self-esteem that was trampled on until it was destroyed without a trace. It would be a lie to say that Helena wasn't angry and deeply disappointed. And yet...

"You slapped me?"

"Don't make me do that again." Arslan snarled under his breath. "Do what I want and go. If you're afraid you won't be able to live after we part," he reached into the wallet in his blazer pocket. He pulled out a check and placed it next to the divorce papers Helena was about to sign. "You can use this check for the rest of your life."