When I started Suspecting my Wife of Cheating, I Somehow Ended up Living in the Middle of Nowhere - Episode 16

I had been avoiding it because it seemed troublesome, but I knew I needed to talk to my ex-wife about our daughters. The messy divorce situation seemed to be more or less settled now. However, the daughters who left were actually deceived into going with her. The custody wasn’t formally decided through official documents. Apparently, there was a section on the divorce papers about the custody of minor children, but I hadn’t checked. I only found out later from the lawyer. This was probably a consequence of not having a proper discussion beforehand.

Now the girls are staying with me temporarily, but this needs to be sorted out or it could cause problems later. I spoke with the lawyer, and they suggested, “You should try talking to her first. If she refuses to hand over custody, then build up a record of involvement in raising the children.” The lawyer offered to talk to her, but my ex-wife preferred direct communication with me. So, I was thinking about meeting her to discuss it.

“I’m going to call your mom. I’ll try to get custody or guardianship of you two!”

I said this to my daughters during dinner in the living room.

In simple terms, “custody” is the right of being a parent, and “guardianship” is the right to raise the child. I don’t need to be the official parent of my daughters in a legal sense. In my heart, I’ve always been their parent, and if that’s understood by them, I’m not too concerned about the technicalities.

“Considering mom’s personality, that’s impossible, right?”

As usual, my younger daughter, Chieri, spoke bluntly! She definitely needs to be taught how to speak more politely.

“I don’t think it’s going to work either… Maybe it’s better to let it slide for now. Stirring things up could backfire…”

So, my older daughter seemed to feel the same way. But there are times when you have to be firm. If it doesn’t work, we’ll figure it out then.

We’ve been together for so long. I want to believe she’s not a monster.

“I’ll make the call now…”

“You can do it here, you know.”

“You want to hear it?”

It’s understandable—this is about their future. They probably feel it’s unfair not to be able to express their opinions. Luckily, my daughters are mature and can understand the situation. I believe they can think it through. They might even be more composed than I am. It’d be okay to let them listen to the call.

“Alright, then here…”

I nervously scrolled through my contacts and found my ex-wife’s number. Seeing “Wife” written there felt so sad. Maybe after the call, I should change it to “Kiomi” or something…

“I’ll make some tea,” my older daughter said as she prepared tea, probably knowing I would be parched after the call.

■■■ Kiomi Zenpuku

It was another dinner alone. He wouldn’t be home tonight. Even if he came back, it would likely be late.

So, today all I did was eat the meal the housekeeper made. I heated it in the microwave since it was in the fridge.

It was too much trouble to plate it, so I just ate it straight from the container. Eating alone felt so tasteless…

Now that I think about it, I haven’t talked to anyone since this morning. I want to talk to someone, complain, but I can’t say anything to anyone.

It’s clear he’s rich. We live a life of no hardships, so if I were to complain, it’d be seen as boasting. I know that too well.

In a few months, it will have been half a year since the divorce, and I’ll be able to remarry. After that, this life will continue forever. Right now, that idea scares me. But being alone is even scarier.

I realize now that I still need him. Having him by my side felt like it was normal, but I didn’t recognize that at the time. I thought a person with a college degree or higher would be superior. But that wasn’t true. He was a high school dropout, but he wasn’t inferior in any way. The one who was lacking was my judgment.

Now that I think about it, he followed my suggestion and switched jobs—from a cleaner to a medical equipment salesman. He did it because it seemed like a more prestigious job.

After that, he started coming home late, and he was out of the house day and night. I guess it was around then that the store manager at my part-time job at the supermarket started looking attractive.

He came from a wealthy family and had many businesses. Apparently, he would eventually inherit the supermarket’s operations. I felt like if I could connect with him, I could reset my life. He was so far above me that I couldn’t understand his thoughts, and we couldn’t communicate well.

Even though everything seemed to be going the way I wanted, I didn’t feel happy.

I want to hear his voice…

(Ring ring…)

The screen displayed “Husband,” even though he’s not my husband anymore. I still hadn’t changed it.

“…What?”

I answered the phone, sounding annoyed without meaning to. I was the one who suggested the divorce, so I couldn’t complain. He was the one I couldn’t gripe at.

“I think I mentioned it on LINE, but both daughters are with me now,” he said.

I already knew that. What? Is he calling just to throw that in my face?

“So?” I replied.

“I don’t mind taking care of them, but we need to get things in order. I’m not asking for custody, but would you let them live with me?”

My daughters chose to be with him, not me. Whatever I say, they won’t come back.

“If you can’t agree, we can have a discussion and try to work it out…”

A discussion!? I can actually talk to him more!

“I’m willing to listen, but…” I replied.

“Good. That helps.”

What should I do? It would be strange to invite him to my place, wouldn’t it? I would just be flaunting my life. This is awful.

“Let’s meet at a family restaurant near your place,” I suggested.

“Sorry, I moved. Let me know the date and location, and I’ll go anywhere.”

He said that, but he can’t be planning to meet me just for the sake of this. He’s always carrying his company phone and never has any free time.

“Is it really okay to say that? Aren’t you afraid of being called back to work?” I asked.

“Oh, I don’t have to worry about that. I quit my job.”

“Huh!?” I was shocked.

He used to always talk about work! What’s going on with him? But now, we can talk! If I argue about custody, I’ll get to see him!

“We’ll talk when we meet!” I said.

“Got it…”

I hung up the phone. I hadn’t decided when or where we’d meet. That meant we’d need to discuss it again. But arguing for custody would allow me to see him again!

I started picking out clothes to wear.

□□□ Kumagoro Zenpuku

“How did it go?”

My older daughter asked with concern in the living room. She knew that my ex-wife wouldn’t easily grant permission.

“We’re meeting,” I said.

“Really!?” both daughters said in unison.

“Really. But I don’t have any leverage in this negotiation…”

I said this, and then my younger daughter, Chieri, thought for a moment and came up with an unexpected answer.

“Let’s sue him for domestic violence and sexual harassment!”

“Hey, hey!” I was surprised.

I knew they had mentioned being hit by him at some point, but I hadn’t asked about the details. And sexual harassment…?

“We’ve got proof,” Chieri said.

“Seriously? Are you two okay with this?” I panicked. If my daughters had gone through anything terrible, I couldn’t forgive him.

“It’s fine. We left before it got really bad. We kept an eye on things while doing the laundry. If one of us was in the bath, the other would watch.”

I see… By the way, “Chii-chan” is the nickname the older sister calls Chieri.

“We’re not planning to go to court, but you need to go into that meeting strong and confident! If it gets bad, we’ll go with you!”

My older daughter’s words hit me hard. Why had I been so weak? I should be showing my daughters a strong side. It was time for me to firm up my resolve. But before meeting my ex-wife, I still needed to check with my daughters.

“…Do you really not want to live with mom anymore?”

I probably looked up at them nervously, asking this question carefully.

“We don’t need mom anymore,” Chieri said firmly, her words strong.

“…Mom has always put you down when I wasn’t around…”

Is that so? I knew she always called me a dropout, but…

“Also, she didn’t do any housework. Chieri and I split the chores… The money she earned from her part-time job was spent on herself, and when you earned money, she’d complain about how little it was. She’s just… not a good person.”

I had known she wasn’t ideal, but still, my daughters grew up straight and strong. I guess this was what “teaching by example” really meant.

Still, I never expected them to grow up like this. If they’re determined, then I can’t keep hesitating. I need to make my decision now.

“Understood. I’ll meet her in the next couple of days and settle things.”

Both daughters clapped, but the applause felt a little premature.