My father called the police and Gerald was arrested, but the next day his parents came with their relatives, smashing up our home. They stormed into the hospital, loudly accusing my family of being heartless.
Gerald's mother's voice echoed through the hospital halls and in her fury, she picked up a toothpick from a fruit tray and stabbed it repeatedly into my arm through my hospital clothes, making me scream in agony.
She screamed, "You had my son arrested, leaving a criminal record. What about his future children? Hurry up and tell the police to release him."
His father spoke calmly, "We're all family. Why take it so seriously? Clara, can't you be more forgiving?"
Their words tore me apart, inside and out. Their threats and bribes left my parents suffocating under the pressure.
"Gerald is a good man."
"Everyone gets out of hand sometimes. Hasn't every wife been hit by her husband?"
"A family needs understanding and harmony above all."
Gerald's parents and relatives surrounded my mother and me, preaching incessantly.
Hearing their twisted beliefs, I closed my eyes, my heart dead and numb. Divorce meant severing ties, but it was also a release.
To his family, Gerald was always seen as a well-mannered, good son. He was praised for respecting elders, loving the young and being gentle and courteous.
Yet, when he assaulted me, that facade shattered, leaving only a face twisted in rage.
"Reconciliation is possible, but he must divorce me!" My words left the hospital room in complete silence.
"Since he already has another woman, why not let him have her?" I was speaking not only to myself, but also to Gerald's family, relatives and friends.
One of Gerald's closest friends was Jonah Smith. His family ran a real estate business and he had loved martial arts novels since childhood, fascinated by tales of justice and vengeance.
After his father passed away due to illness, his mother, Sandra, took over the business.
From what I remembered, Jonah's mother, Sandra, was a charming woman in her fifties, still exuding elegance. She had always looked down on my humble family background.
When she found out about my relationship with Gerald, she vehemently opposed it. During my wedding, she even publicly humiliated my family, tearing us apart in front of everyone.