Chapter 15 " Sharon , I've explained this to you a hundred times . There's nothing between me and Kelly - not the way you think . Can you stop being so paranoid ? " Sharon's tone was flat . " Whatever you and Kelly have going on has nothing to do with me . I've already signed the divorce papers . When do we go file them ? " " Divorce ? " Carter's lips curled into a cold smile . " Sharon , for the past five years , you've been a full - time housewife . You haven't worked . After divorcing me , what could you possibly do out there ? You won't even be able to support yourself . " And you can forget about Theo . You won't get custody . Even if you go to court , you've got no job , no income . There's no chance . Sharon , a smart woman knows when to stop . Push too hard , and it'll only backfire . " A chill spread through her chest . So that was what her years of devotion amounted to - not gratitude , but leverage . A weakness to be used against her . Even Theo , the child she'd raised since birth , only looked at her now with resentment and frustration . She had failed - completely . Sharon locked eyes with Carter . " No job , no income ? But before I had Theo , I had a good job . I made decent money . You were the one who said you didn't trust a stranger , a nanny , to take care of Theo . You asked me to quit and stay home . " Carter's brows pinched slightly . " The salary you made ... what good would that have done ? It was better for you to focus on raising Theo . " She clenched her fists . " Right . I don't have your talent for raking in money by the truckload . But what I made was enough to support myself . At the very least , I wouldn't have to endure your family calling me a leech . I wouldn't have to listen to your friends mocking me as some dependent housewife who lives off you . " How pathetic . She'd given up her career , her independence - everything - for the sake of this family , for their child . And in the end , she was the one being looked down on . Carter's expression darkened . " So you care that much about what people think ? Besides , Nate and the others - they didn't mean any harm . " No harm ? If Kelly at least knew how to conceal her contempt , then Nate wore his on his face like a badge of honor . And Carter had the nerve to say they had no malice ? Was he blind ? Sharon let out a faint smile . " If you're so high - minded and unconcerned with others ' opinions , then why get upset over something I said to Kelly ? Besides , I didn't mean her any harm . I was just joking with her . No need to take it so seriously , Mr. Biggs . " The expression on Carter's face gradually turned blank . " Sharon , are you really going to keep acting like this ? " " There's a certain threshold of pain , ' she thought , ' once you cross , you just go numb . All those words that used to pierce her heart ? Now they didn't even sting . Her gaze was steady in a way it had never been before . Chapter 15 +25 BONUS " Carter , this divorce is happening . I'm not backing down . " For a second , he faltered . But only for a second . Then his usual composure returned . " Just remember what you said today . Don't come crawling back , begging me later . " She gave a sharp laugh . " Don't worry . That day will never come . " He looked down at her , his voice low and frosted . " You should know better than to make absolute statements . It's always wise to leave yourself an escape route . " Sharon lifted her chin and looked him straight in the eye . " You're right , " she said with a smile . " But you will never be my escape route . " Chapter 16 +25 BONUS Chapter 16 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!