On the Day of the Divorce, My Ex-Husband and Son Beg for My Forgiveness

Stella stood frozen in the corner of the wedding banquet hall, her gaze fixed in despair on the scene before her. Her husband, Graham Whitaker, was exchanging vows with his first love, Susie Landry.

Today marked the fifth anniversary of Stella and Graham's marriage. It was also her birthday.

Six months ago, Susie Landry had reappeared in their lives, clutching a terminal diagnosis. Since then, Graham's world had revolved around her, and Stella's had crumbled. Graham had justified his actions, saying that Susie had only six months to live and deserved to spend her remaining time without regrets. A grand wedding with him was just one of her dying wishes.

"Look at that little boy—he's adorable!" an admiring voice rose from the crowd, snapping Stella out of her thoughts. Her eyes followed the commotion, landing on her six-year-old son, Tyler. He was dressed in a tiny suit, holding a basket of flower petals as he walked down the red carpet, scattering them with a bright smile on his face.

Tyler stopped in front of Susie, bowed like a little gentleman, and grabbed her hand. “Ms. Landry, you look so beautiful today!”

“Thank you, Tyler,” Susie beamed, her radiant smile cutting through Stella's heart like a blade.

Her chest tightened, an invisible hand clawing at her heart, tearing it apart. She could barely breathe from the pain.

That was her son—the child she had nearly died giving birth to. Yet now, he stood there, favoring another woman, someone who had taken everything from her.

Stella and Graham had married in secret. There had been no wedding, no celebration. He had promised her they would hold a proper ceremony someday. Apparently, she had clung to that promise, pouring her energy into preparing for the day. She worked with planners, perfected every detail, even secretly learned Graham’s favorite waltz to surprise him.

But the wedding she had dreamed of, the one she had prepared for, had been given to another woman.

Stella’s gaze blurred as she watched Graham slide a diamond ring onto Susie’s finger. Tyler cheered beside them, clapping enthusiastically.

“Daddy and Ms. Landry, I wish you all the happiness in this world!”

Tears streamed down Stella’s face, but no one noticed her in the shadows of the crowded hall. Every pair of eyes was fixed on Graham and Susie, blessing their union with admiration and reverence.

Unable to endure it any longer, Stella fled. The cold night air outside hit her like a slap. It dried the tears on her cheeks but sent shivers coursing through her body.

Five years of marriage. She had poured every ounce of her love, every fiber of her being, into Graham and their family. And now, she stood alone, watching her husband marry another woman. Even her own son had unknowingly turned against her.

How pathetic. How laughable.

The faint strains of elegant music wafted out from the banquet hall, grating on her ears. She walked away, numb and hollow, and returned to their villa—a place that had once felt warm and safe but now suffocated her.

Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to move, her steps slow and deliberate. She opened a drawer and pulled out a neatly folded document. It was the divorce agreement she had prepared two weeks ago with the help of a lawyer.

Graham’s unwavering devotion to Susie, his relentless efforts to fulfill her every wish, had already left Stella cold. But she had clung to the faintest hope that he might still care about her feelings, that he might remember the promises he’d once made.

Tonight, that hope had been shattered beyond repair.

Sitting on the couch, Stella felt the chill seep into her bones. She waited in silence, unsure how long had passed, but Graham still hadn’t returned. Her phone buzzed, and she reached for it. The screen displayed a notification. It was a post from Susie’s Instagram account.

The image showed two hands entwined, both wearing wedding rings. Beside it was a childlike drawing—Tyler’s handiwork—depicting three people holding hands.

The caption read: “Thank you, Graham and Tyler. This is the best gift I’ve ever received. You’ve made me so happy.”

Hundreds of comments had already poured in, filled with congratulations and well-wishes.

Stella let out a bitter laugh, the sound empty and hollow. At that moment, the sound of an engine echoed from the garage, followed by the click of a key turning in the front door.

Graham walked in, the scent of Susie’s perfume clinging to him like a mark of betrayal. He noticed Stella sitting on the couch and frowned. “Why are you still up? Shouldn’t you be in bed?”

Stella lifted her head and looked at the man she had loved for years. He suddenly seemed like a stranger to her.

“Graham,” she said, her voice hoarse and laced with icy sarcasm, “shouldn’t you still be with your ‘bride’ at this hour?”

His expression hardened, but he said nothing.

Stella stood, her hands trembling as she pushed the divorce papers across the table toward him. “Since you’re here…” Her voice wavered, but she pressed on. “Let’s end this.”

In that moment, she felt her heart shatter into a million pieces. Yet, amidst the unbearable pain, there was a faint, ironic sense of relief.

Finally, she thought. Finally, she could free herself from this one-sided marriage, from the endless struggle for love that was never returned.

Her voice rose, cracking with emotion. “Let’s get divorced!”