Chapter 5 This Is Your Purpose?

Marilyn's eyes widened with fury as she glared at her. "Are you an idiot? The Watsons are loaded, and you think you can just divorce without any compensation?"

She let out a cold laugh. "Your dad's rehab costs thousands of dollars every month, and Daniel's private school tuition isn't cheap either. Unlike you, I'm not so high and mighty. Divorce? They should pay up! Otherwise, you can cover the costs!"

Arabella sighed, feeling helpless. "Marilyn, I've been covering those costs all along."

"That's different! You used to have the Watson family backing you up, so you could afford it. Now you have nothing. How are you going to pay in the future?"

Arabella tried to explain, "I never asked the Watsons for a single penny. The money I've given you over the past two years came from my savings. I still have some savings left, and I'll earn more soon. I promise, I won't shortchange you."

"You're so stupid! You should save that money for Daniel's future. You married into their family, so why didn't you take their money? You've let them use you for two years for nothing!"

Marilyn, consumed by rage, shoved her hard.

Arabella stumbled a few steps, knowing reasoning with Marilyn was futile. Trembling with anger, she couldn't hold back any longer. "I married and divorced with dignity. How can you say I let them use me? I'm not selling myself!"

Marilyn didn't take her seriously at all and arrogantly replied, "Oh, you want to challenge me? Then let your dad stop his treatment! You little brat, I can still deal with you!"

Just then, her phone rang. Marilyn answered it irritably, "Hello! Who is it?"

Whatever was said on the other end made her expression change instantly, and her tone became respectful. "Please don't be angry. I'll come over right away. Let's discuss this in person."

After hanging up, she shot Arabella a fierce glare. "I'll deal with you later!"

With that, she hurriedly left.

Arabella finally breathed a sigh of relief once Marilyn was gone.

Three years ago, her parents were in a car accident. Her mother died on the spot, and her father lost his mobility. A kind neighbor introduced Marilyn to her father.

Marilyn had a son in high school and initially looked down on a man who had lost his ability to work. But when she heard Arabella was marrying Anthony, she agreed immediately.

Arabella always knew Marilyn was after the money.

She accepted it—her father needed long-term care, and she couldn't find anyone more suitable than Marilyn.

She could accept Marilyn's greed, but she never expected Marilyn to try to get money from the Watsons.

The Watson family was incredibly powerful in Majestic City, and ordinary people couldn't stand up to them.

This marriage had already left her battered and bruised. Wasn't that lesson enough?

Arabella gave a bitter smile and was about to leave when the villa's tightly closed door suddenly opened.

Jennifer stood on the high steps, arms crossed, sneering. "Now that you and Tony are divorced, keep your crazy family in check. The Watson Villa isn't a garbage dump where anyone can come in!"

Earlier, Marilyn had been too fierce for her to handle, so she had hidden inside. Now that the crazy woman was gone, with only Arabella left, she felt confident enough to come out and show off.

Arabella stopped and looked at Jennifer, swallowing the word "Mom" that was on her lips.

Over the past two years, she had learned a valuable lesson: if others don't respect you, don't flatter them with false affection.

No matter how bitter she felt inside, her face showed no emotion. "I'm sorry. This won't happen again. But please watch your words; my family isn't crazy."

She had no intention of arguing further and turned to leave.

"Stop!" Jennifer descended the steps, glaring coldly at her. "Is that how you talk to your elders? So all that careful behavior before was just an act! Now that you're divorced, your true colors are showing!"

Arabella's hand clenched at her side, then relaxed, her smile weak.

She laughed at her own foolishness. She had been the Watson family's daughter-in-law for two years, dedicating herself to taking care of her mother-in-law. Last year, when Jennifer was diagnosed with uterine fibroids and had surgery, she had stayed by her bedside, day and night, tending to her every need.

But in the end, what did she get?

Insults, humiliation, and ridicule.

The Watson family had never respected her from the beginning.

"I've done right by my conscience," Arabella said, her eyes downcast, her voice calm to the point of numbness.

At that moment, a silver sports car screeched to a halt outside the villa.

Anthony got out, storming over, and demanded coldly, "Arabella, what are you doing here again? Can't you just stay out of trouble?"

Arabella was stunned, wanting to explain, but Anthony didn't give her a chance, launching into a tirade.

"These past few days, you've been constantly showing up, thinking it'll make me change my mind? I thought your clean break in the divorce was to let me be with Cassie, but it turns out it was just a delay tactic! Your hypocrisy disgusts me!"

Arabella's face turned pale, staring at him, her voice trembling with anger.

"Anthony! Do you think I can't move on? Yes, I loved you, but from the moment I left the courthouse, I never looked back! How dare you insult me without knowing the truth!"

Cassidy had arrived at some point, sighing softly. "Arabella, it's normal to have a hard time letting go of someone as wonderful as Anthony. But you shouldn't disturb Mrs. Watson over this."

She then walked over to Jennifer, her face full of concern, and asked gently, "Mrs. Watson, are you alright? You don't look well. Is your blood pressure acting up again?"

Jennifer adored her future daughter-in-law, who was both educated and considerate. She held Cassidy's hand. "I'm fine, just dizzy from Arabella's antics. Seeing you makes me feel better."

Cassidy apologized. "It's our fault. If Anthony and I had come earlier, you wouldn't have had to endure this."

Her voice was soft but felt like a knife, slowly twisting in Arabella's heart, pinning her with false accusations.

Anthony's expression grew colder as he glared at Arabella, his voice icy. "Is this your plan? To make my mom sick so you can feel satisfied?"

Arabella fought to hold back tears.

She was exhausted. This feeling of being unable to defend herself was draining her.

Throughout their two-year marriage, conversations like this had happened countless times. Anthony always believed everyone but her. Everyone else had a stronger position; everyone else had more right.

She had just fallen in love and entered a marriage full of hope. How did it end up with her in such a miserable state?