The Perfect Husband's Double Life

My restaurant finally doesn't have to post that "For Transfer" notice anymore. Three months ago, Travis Stern was driving me to restock when we got into a car accident. The traffic cops said he swerved the wheel toward my side when he crashed, broke his left leg, and injured his reproductive organ. Local media hyped him up as a 'devoted husband,' and the coverage was everywhere. The restaurant, which was about to close, suddenly filled up with customers coming to "support the good man's wife." After delivering the last takeout order at noon today, I locked up the restaurant and went home. The living room was buzzing; Travis' mother, Mrs. Stern, was simmering chicken soup, Travis's sister, Rose Stern was scrolling through her phone on the sofa, and his father, Mr. Stern, was reclining in a chair reading the newspaper. Travis sat on the middle sofa, his left leg in a cast, draped with a thin blanket. I put my bag on the entryway cabinet, changed my shoes, and walked over to him. "Let's get a divorce," I said. The noise in the living room stopped instantly. "Linda, what did you say?" Mr. Stern suddenly sat up straight. Rose dropped her phone, eyes wide as saucers: "My brother ended up like this saving you, and now you want a divorce? Are you even human?" I didn't look at them, just fixed my gaze on Travis. His face turned pale, voice full of hurt: "Linda, is it because I'm like this now that you look down on me?" "It's not that I look down on you, I just don't want to live like this anymore." My tone was calm. Mrs. Stern rushed over and grabbed my arm, her nails digging into my skin: "You ungrateful woman! If it weren't for Travis, you'd have died in that car accident! Now that the restaurant's doing well, you want to leave him?" I yanked my hand away from hers, "I haven't forgotten he saved me, but that's not a reason I have to spend my whole life with him." "You!" Mrs. Stern's chest heaved with anger. "We really blinded letting my son marry such an ungrateful snake like you!" Rose stood up and pointed at me. "Linda, don't push it! Travis can't have kids now, and you just want to leave? Have you been seeing someone else all along?" "No." I looked at Travis. "I've already drafted the divorce agreement. Take a look, and if you're okay with it, sign it." I pulled the contract out of my bag and set it on the coffee table in front of him. Travis picked up the contract, his fingers trembling slightly. He read a few lines, then looked up at me, his eyes red: "Linda, I know I can't give you a proper family right now, but I'll treat you well for the rest of my life. Please give me one more chance, okay?" "I don't need your kindness. I just want a divorce." Mr. Stern slammed his hand hard on the recliner's armrest: "Get a divorce, then! But you'll walk away with nothing! The restaurant got popular because of Travis, and the house was bought by my family. Don't expect to take a single penny!" "That's impossible." I looked at Mr. Stern. "I own 60% of the restaurant's shares—that's money I invested before we got married; the house was bought after we married, so it's marital property, and I have the right to half of it." "In your dreams!" Rose snatched the agreement and ripped it to shreds. "You think you can claim any of the Stern family's fortune? No way!" Travis sighed and held Rose's arm. "Rose, don't be like this. Linda must have her reasons for wanting a divorce. Since she's made up her mind, I'm on board." He looked at me, eyes full of "deep affection." "Linda, I'll give you all the property, as long as you live well. But can you stay with me a little longer? Once my leg heals, I'll move out." "No need." I picked up the torn pieces from the floor. "I'll draft a new agreement. 9 AM tomorrow, outside the Divorce Center. If you don't show, I'll file for divorce." After saying that, I grabbed my bag and turned to leave. Behind me came Mrs. Stern's curses, along with Travis's sighs.