Chapter 411
Chapter 411:
Gabriela tilted her head, puzzled. “Why can’t you just file for divorce?” Given Fulton’s violence, it seemed like more than enough for the court to dissolve the marriage immediately.
Tessa opened her mouth to answer, but her phone lit up and rang.
She tapped the screen, switched it to speaker, and clearly intended for Gabriela to hear.
The moment the call connected, a stern, weathered voice filled the room. “Tessa, what on earth is going on? Raven told me you quarreled with Fulton. How did things escalate all the way to the police p>
Tessa’s expression didn’t change. “Dad, he hit me p>
“I already know,” Coleman Ramsey sighed heavily. “Raven told me everything. But don’t pretend you’re completely innocent either. How could such shabby, low-born relatives suddenly show up at your place to make a scene? Your mother and I have never associated with people that vulgar p>
Standing nearby, Gabriela felt her anger surge all over again.
𝗪𝗵а𝘁 e𝗏𝘦𝗋уо𝗇е іѕ 𝗋𝘦а𝘥𝗶n𝘨 о𝗻
How could he call them vulgar?
Coleman continued, voice thick with authority. “Fulton’s health isn’t good, and sometimes he loses his temper. Let’s just let this go. Drop the charges and bring him back home soon p>
Tessa let out a bitter laugh. “Dad, I have a fractured cheekbone. If I let this go again, what happens the next time he hits me p>
She still remembered the last time — when his beating left her bleeding and caused her miscarriage — and she had still forgiven him. Every time she forgave him, the violence got worse.
If she kept enduring it, she knew one day it would kill her.
Coleman’s tone shifted to gentle persuasion. “Every marriage has storms. Raven promised me she’ll keep Fulton under control from now on. If you let him go this time, they’ll be grateful and they won’t make things difficult for you later p>
Tears stung Tessa’s eyes as she forced herself to speak. “I won’t do that. I want a divorce p>
“Don’t you dare!” Coleman’s voice hardened instantly, rising with anger. “A wife’s duty lasts a lifetime. You chose to marry into the Ortiz family, and you’ll remain one of them until the day you die p>
“What do you mean, ‘a wife’s duty lasts a lifetime’?” Tessa’s heart twisted. She had just been humiliated in front of her friend. She had nothing left to protect — not her pride, not her safety — and now even Coleman refused to stand on her side.
Her voice shook, heavy with despair. “Dad, are you only worried that a divorce will make you look bad? Do you even care what I’m going through? I feel trapped in hell with no way out, every single day p>
There was a pause before Coleman’s tone softened. “Have you ever stopped to think how miserable your life would have been without Fulton? He injured his leg saving you, and now it’s permanently lame. You owe him for that p>
Tessa’s throat tightened. She snapped back, “All these years I’ve swallowed everything. Every paycheck I earn, I hand to his mother. After long shifts, I still come home to cook, scrub laundry, and handle every chore in the house. I even pay for his sister’s expenses. And no matter what I do, they tear me apart like it’s never enough p>
Tears streamed down her face. “I can’t carry this anymore. If I stay in this marriage, it will destroy me p>