Your Mom, Not Mine

At the beginning of a new year, I stay at the hospital to take care of my mother-in-law on my own. My wife, Yelena Lipton, on the other hand, is on a vacation with her first love, Phillip Warren, in a tropical island overseas.

Funnily enough, I'm the last one who finds out about her impending marriage with Phillip.

When my mother-in-law hears about the news, her condition deteriorates to the point she gets sent into the treatment room immediately. I have to call Yelena over a dozen times for her to finally pick up the call.

"Do you have a death wish or something? Why did you bombard me with calls? I'm in the middle of something right now, so leave me alone!"

After that, Yelena ends the call. Since then, I keep failing to get in contact with her. During that time, my mother-in-law has passed away from the treatment failure.

When I'm done organizing the funeral, I send Yelena a divorce agreement right away.

"Have you gone nuts? It's just an announcement to cheer Phillip up! Are you seriously going to file a divorce from me?"

After hearing Yelena's accusations, I reply calmly, "Mom's dead. I've already dealt with everything concerning her passing. You should come back and visit her grave."

Chapter 1

I distinctly heard Yelena Lipton gasp on the other end of the phone, followed by several seconds of silence.

"Mom's gone? H-How could that be? This is just too sudden! I didn't mean to be absent. I-I'll buy tickets for the soonest flight possible and head back right away. Wait for me to come back, okay?"

"No need. From now on, you and I should go our separate ways. There's no need for us to be tied together anymore. This is exactly what you want, isn't it?"

As I stared at the picture of Melinda Smith, my mother-in-law, I shook my head with a bitter smile.

We had failed to give Melinda a great life before she died, and even after her death, Yelena and I were disturbing her peace with our conflict. She had worked hard to ensure my marriage with Yelena was blissful, only for all her efforts to be in vain.

I could still remember the last words she had said to me. She had said that the Lipton family had done wrong by me and that I shouldn't force myself to endure any longer. She said that I should just divorce Yelena.

All I could do now was fulfill her dying wish, which just so happened to be an emotional burden of mine as well.

"Carter Chance, are you crazy? Do you find it fun to always be spouting such words? We've been married for so many years already, yet you don't have even this basic level of trust in me?

"I've already told you that I only agreed to marry Phillip to make him happy. He has late-stage cancer and doesn't have long left to live. How could you be jealous of a dying man?"

It was the same old explanation she had given me multiple times before, and I was sick of it.

She kept claiming it was all fake, yet anyone who had a brain could tell that she was lying. In fact, she couldn't even be bothered to think of a new excuse to appease me.

Phillip Warren had been in the late stages of cancer for close to a year now, yet he was still flying all over the world with her and having fun. From what I could tell, he had no problem enjoying himself, be it with the cuisine or other activities. His body seemed even healthier and better than mine.

What a medical marvel indeed.

"You can say whatever you want; I don't care anymore. I've already sent you the divorce agreement. It's already signed on my end, so hurry up and sign it. I hope that the next time we meet will be at the courthouse. There's no need for us to have any other interaction before that."

At that moment, Phillip's voice came over the line, sounding strong and full of life. He sounded nothing like a man on the brink of death.

"Lena, remember to put on that swimsuit I picked out for you later when we go have a dip in the hot springs!"

Yelena agreed as though it were the most natural thing in the world. Then, she tossed out a few half-hearted words before swiftly hanging up.

"Don't be so inconsiderate and immature. I'll explain everything to you later. Besides, Phillip is a sick man, so what's wrong with letting him have his way? As for the divorce, you can forget about it because I'll never agree to it. We'll talk about the rest once I return."

The beep of the call ending also signified the end of our seven-year marriage.

"The divorce is definitely happening, and I won't foolishly wait for you to come back to me either."

Yelena didn't hear this last sentence. I had said it for myself.

Her lack of boundaries and restraint when she was with Phillip had thoroughly worn away at the love I had held for her. Besides that, the countless times she had neglected or been indifferent to me proved that she had long since stopped loving me.

Having completely let go of this relationship, I packed up my things and left, not feeling even a shred of reluctance. On the contrary, it was like a burden had been lifted from my shoulders. A breeze brushed over me, carrying with it the taste of freedom.

It was time I started a new life.

I went to work as usual.

It was getting close to the time period when promotions were given, so I had been working particularly hard the past few days. I made sure to be the first to arrive at the company and the last to leave.

As a result, not only was my performance leagues ahead of everyone else, but I also succeeded in snagging the biggest collaboration project of the season.

Chapter 2

That day, the Human Resources Department informed me that I would be promoted. All my colleagues flocked to me to express their early congratulations.

Just as I was basking in my achievement, Yelena suddenly called me.

"Where the hell have you gone? Why isn't there anything of yours left in the house? Even if you're throwing a tantrum, there should still be a limit!

"I'm utterly exhausted after the past few days, and now that I've returned, I still have to deal with a man-child like you! Could you stop acting up and just cut me some slack?"

Today was a joyous day, and I didn't want her to affect my mood. Besides, it wasn't like this was the first time I'd had a taste of her self-centered arrogance.

"We're divorcing, so isn't it natural that I have to move out? This is just perfect for Phillip, isn't it? I've already cleared out my space so he can move right in without any delays. I assume you've already signed the divorce agreement? In that case, see you later in the afternoon at the courthouse.

"Oh, right. You might as well bring Phillip along too. The city hall is right next to the courthouse, so it's quite convenient for you two. You can just go ahead and get married right there and then."

Upon hearing that, Yelena exploded with rage. After all, in all our years of marriage, I had never once talked back to her.

Back when we were still in love with each other, I could accept every part of her. Lovestruck as I was, her arrogant and conceited behavior had seemed adorable to me.

However, she took advantage of my love and grew increasingly selfish and petty, to the point that she stopped loving me.

Now that things had developed to this point, I certainly wouldn't endure her behavior in silence and let her have her way anymore.

"Carter Chance, who the hell agreed to divorce you? Who gave you permission to move out? I didn't sign the divorce agreement, nor will I go to the courthouse to divorce you! You can just give up right now!

"You knew about Phillip long before this, so what's with the extreme reaction this time? Especially since you clearly know there's no way I'm marrying him!"

A marriage was supposed to be a union between two people, so the moment a third person appeared, it was over.

This was particularly true for our case, as Phillip had been around for a long while now, and things should've ended between us long ago.

However, perhaps it was due to Melinda's illness, or perhaps it was my own indignant reluctance, but I had allowed this to drag on for close to a year before finally making up my mind.

Melinda's last words to me had thoroughly enlightened me, so I definitely wouldn't be swayed now.

"You know better than anyone else whether you still love me or not. There's no need to cling on to what doesn't exist anymore. We will be getting a divorce, and that's an irrefutable fact.

"Even if you don't sign the papers, I'll just take this case to court. You've left behind way too much evidence, so I'll definitely win the case.

"If you don't want things to turn too ugly, then just quickly sign the papers. That would be the best outcome for me, you, and Phillip."

The crash of shattering glass rang in my ear as she threw something to the floor.

I understood her too well, so I knew that after she realized she wouldn't be able to change what was inevitable, her shame and frustration would turn into anger.

Her next step would be to threaten me, but my heart had died along with Melinda. There was nothing she could hold over my head.

"Fine, you can have your way! Let's divorce! However, since we're divorced and you've already moved your things out of my house, shouldn't you also be leaving my family's company? Surely, you'll want to cut ties cleanly, right? So there's no way you'll insist on staying?"

I was instantly rendered speechless, not expecting her to resort to this trick.

I had joined Lipton Corporation immediately after graduating and slowly worked my way up on my own. By the time Yelena and I started dating, I was already a department manager.

Even after we married, my every promotion had been earned through hard work and dedication, with my achievements speaking for themselves. Successful business negotiations had brought me to the position of general manager, not my marriage to Yelena!

Today, I had learned that I was to be promoted to the position of CEO, only for her to suddenly threaten me with it.

"Yelena Lipton, the company doesn't belong to you alone. You need the entire board of directors to discuss and agree to firing me before you can do it.

"Do you think you're scaring me with that threat? Everyone is a witness to all that I've contributed to the company all these years, so don't think you can take me down that easily!"

I was confident I could stay on in the company. After all, I'd accumulated quite a substantial amount of resources and contacts over the years, and those weren't connections that Lipton Corporation would readily give up.

I was nothing like Phillip. He was a good-for-nothing who only knew how to seduce women; I had clawed my way up from the bottom with my own hands, so I was naturally assured of my position.

"It's alright! If you refuse to leave, then be a good dog and continue working for my family's company. In fact, you can stay in the position of general manager till you die! I heard that you were just about to be promoted. Well, don't you worry. With me around, there's no way you'll succeed!"

Chapter 3

Before I could retort, Yelena had already ended the call.

My mind buzzed with thoughts. The position of CEO had been empty for a long time, so it was prudent that someone be appointed as soon as possible. I was the best option among the company staff, bar none, as no one else had the right to compete with me, be it in performance or capability.

"Everyone, please stop what you're doing for a moment. It's time to announce the new CEO!"

My colleagues turned to wink at me, while the HR department staff stealthily gestured for me to get ready.

Sure enough, the saying that only real capability could carry one forward was true.

Straightening my clothes, I took a step forward.

"Let us all congratulate this candidate for getting the position, for it is well-earned indeed. That person is none other than Car"

"It's Phillip Warren!"

Yelena suddenly appeared and swiftly interrupted the announcement of my promotion by parachuting in Phillip.

Immediately, the atmosphere turned tense. The employees shuffled off awkwardly, none daring to say a word.

Yelena and Phillip's relationship had long since become common knowledge in the company. After all, they hadn't exactly been subtle about it. Be it out on the streets or in the company, they would always be holding hands. Anyone unaware of the truth would've thought they were a married couple.

Despite everyone being aware of it, no one dared to stay back and gossip about it, especially since it was a private matter of their superiors that had been publicly exposed.

"Boss I mean, Ms. Lipton, no one told me about the CEO candidate changing. This wasn't filed with the HR department in advance either"

"So, you do know that I'm the boss? This company belongs to my family, so what I say goes. Why, then, should I need to file anything? Take Phillip and get him familiarized with our internal systems. Come to me if there are any problems."

The HR department representative kept shooting furtive glances at me, clearly wanting to know what was happening and also asking me for help.

I sighed and gestured for him to leave. I would deal with this myself.

"Did you discuss parachuting Phillip in with the board of directors first? Your action is useless if they don't agree to it"

"I'm just bringing in someone from the outside. With how close I am with them, why wouldn't they agree?"

With that said, Yelena showed me her chat history with the board of directors, which indeed showed that they had unanimously agreed to her bringing in Phillip. They had even mentioned me, saying that I was getting too much attention and needed to have my edge toned down for a while.

After Yelena told them that we were divorced, they even outright stated that since I wasn't family anymore, there was no way they could allow me to take such an important position.

I couldn't believe my eyes. The company I had worked myself to the bone for for so many years turned out to be rotten to its core. My past hard work had been for nothing.

At that moment, I lost all hope, not just in Yelena, but also in Lipton Corporation.

"Carter, if you were to beg me now to rescind the divorce, I might just consider helping you get promoted in the future. I'm truly heartbroken that your mom has passed away, but that still doesn't give you the right to blame everything on me! You have to be more considerate of me too, you know!

"Apologize to me now, then promise to be good and listen to whatever I say in the future. I guarantee that your career will soar. That way, your mom won't have lingering regrets, right?"

I flung her hand away before tossing the divorce agreement and my resignation letter right in her face.

Yelena and Lipton Corporationthey were all rotten to the core. I couldn't wait to get as far away from them as possible!

"Shut up! Hurry up and sign the papers, then you and I can finally part ways and never see each other again! I want nothing to do with you from here on out!"

Utterly enraged, Yelena's face flushed a bright red. She signed the two documents, then flung them right back at me.

"Carter, you'll definitely regret this one day! I'll be waiting for the day you come begging me on your knees!"

Finally, finally, I was divorced! I was free!

A calm like never before surged through me. I ignored her harsh words and took the documents, turning to leave.

However, right before I departed, I remembered that I had one more thing to say to her.

"Yelena, don't tell me that you still don't know The one who died was your mom, not mine."