I initiated the divorce proceedings, deeming a financially struggling spouse to be of little value. My world was shaken when, during a business trip, my husband abruptly declared not only his intent to divorce, but also his simultaneous marriage to his lover. To add insult to injury, he accused me of marrying him solely for his wealth and demanded I forfeit any claims to our property.
Confronting my indifferent husband, who had always treated me with disdain since our marriage, led to his unraveling and a downward spiral to rock bottom. I am Karen, 35 years old, raised by a single mother since my father’s passing in kindergarten. Despite the financial challenges, we found happiness as a family of three.
Even as an adult with a decent salary, my frugal habits persisted from childhood. I married John, a wealthy man I met through an acquaintance, drawn to his kindness and the new world he presented. Our differing views on money and gender roles emerged after marriage.
While John envisioned a traditional household, I was dedicated to my career and financial independence. Before marriage, John suggested I become a homemaker, assuming I would embrace traditional domestic roles. However, I expressed my desire to continue working until we had children, emphasizing the financial benefits.
Although I managed to convince him, the reality of balancing work and household chores proved challenging. Despite being a full-time employee, my days were consumed with domestic responsibilities, leaving little time for us as a couple. In contrast, John, adopting a traditional husband role, contributed nothing to household tasks.
While he witnessed my busy schedule, he simply indulged in dinner and relaxation upon returning home. Balancing work and domestic responsibilities took a toll on our relationship, prompting me to question if this was the essence of a marriage. Despite my efforts, I hesitated to voice my dissatisfaction, fearing he might insist I quit my job despite his lack of contribution at home.
I had hoped that the arrival of children would bring about a positive change in our relationship. Unfortunately, our connection had grown distant, casting doubt on the possibility of expanding our family. Feeling the urgency to discuss this matter, I approached John.
“Hey, we should start considering having kids, right?” “Huh? Kids? You’re quite energetic considering you’re tired from work and chores.” “It’s not about that.
I want to have children.”
“We haven’t been married that long, but I’m already over 30. Women have a limited time to have children, and it’s getting harder for me to conceive as I get older. It’s almost too late.” “But we don’t need kids.
If we have one, you’ll expect me to help, right? You know I’m busy with work, and I won’t help with child rearing.”
“Declaring you won’t help with child rearing even before they’re born is strange, isn’t it? I plan to raise them alone, but shouldn’t you at least have the intention to help?
It’s your child, too.” “Child rearing is your job. I’m working to support the family, so I definitely won’t help with the kids.”
“You’ll just complain that I don’t help, making me the bad guy. You must have been indoctrinated with poverty and lots of kids since birth.
We’re not poor. We don’t need kids. End of discussion.” John abruptly ended the conversation, retreating to his room.
Alone in the living room, tears overwhelmed me. My desire for children was not only rejected, but my upbringing was also mocked. Following this incident, our relationship deteriorated rapidly.
Communication became scarce, and the possibility of having children seemed more distant. As I continued to juggle work and home responsibilities, taking on significant projects at work, I found myself increasingly distant from John. One day, when informing him about an upcoming business trip, his unexpected kindness surprised me.
He wished me well and hinted at a big surprise upon my return. Despite having given up on him, his smile shook my resolve. However, my faint hope was shattered upon returning home.
The front door wouldn’t open, and John revealed the first surprise. He had changed the locks. The second surprise was the announcement of our divorce.
He claimed to have forged my signature and submitted the papers with a friend as a witness. Inside, he presented a document for me to sign, waiving my rights to property division. Protesting the false accusations, I insisted on a mutual renunciation of property rights, intending to make it a public document.
John, stubbornly retorting, redid the document on his computer, initiating a tense exchange. As I left the house, he continued to scorn me for being poor, even contemplating discarding my belongings. A few days later, John, in a state of panic, called me, wondering what I had done.
“What do you mean? I haven’t done anything. Why are you panicking?”
“I have a lot of questions.
First, I was told to leave the apartment.” “Oh, you were still living there? That’s not allowed. It’s a new month.
You’re trespassing.” “Trespassing? But it’s my house. Are you okay?” “Did you forget that it was a company apartment I rented?
I was the leaseholder, so naturally, you can’t live there anymore.”
“That’s ridiculous. How could you do this?” “I can’t believe you didn’t know. I’m not the one who should be accused of doing things on my own.
Didn’t I tell you that you can’t just change the locks of a rental apartment?” “It’s my house. I can change the locks if I want.” “Didn’t you listen? It was my leased apartment.
Even if you were the leaseholder, the owner is the apartment manager. You can’t change the locks without informing them.”
“Is that so?” “Also, I terminated the lease while you changed the locks. I was allowed to live there until this month.
I was planning to return. But now you’ve unlawfully altered someone else’s property, which could be criminal damage.” “Wait, why did you terminate it so early? Criminal damage?
Is that why the police are at the front door now? I’m too scared to open it.”
But I calmly replied, “So the police did come. Don’t worry, it’s probably not for trespassing or criminal damage.
It’s better to talk to them.” “Why do you know about the police?” “Because I reported you for filing the divorce papers yourself. It seems like you’ve committed crimes like forgery and fraudulent use of a private document.”
Divorce papers can be filed by one person, but only with mutual agreement and personal signatures. Since John forged my signature and the witness, it’s obvious that it’s a crime.
But he seemed unaware of his guilt. I continued pressing further. “So the divorce papers you submitted are invalid, and your marriage with Susan can’t happen either.” “How do you know about Susan?” “Did you think I knew nothing?
I had a private detective agency thoroughly investigate your affair with Susan.”
“It was a busy time at work, and coordinating with the agency was tough. Plus, you even held a grand wedding ceremony while I was supposedly on a business trip.” “Are you okay? Your business trip was a lie.” “Yes, I took leave from work despite being busy to do some research and prepare documents.
What happened next changed everything…
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