Chapter 533 Falling Out
In a flash, Susan got this gnarly gut feeling. If it wasn't so late, she would've bolted back to grill Catherine about what the heck was going on. Her instincts were screaming that Catherine had a hand in this mess.
Right then, Carol shot a cold glare at Seb and Rylee, "Don't even bother trying to talk him out of it. If he wants a divorce, fine, but he's leaving with zilch. Not a single thing from this house!"
Todd looked at Carol and said, "Fine, I'll walk away with nothing. I don't want any of our stuff, just the old house in the central district my parents left me. When do you wanna get this divorce rolling?"
Carol stared at Todd, totally floored, and finally spat out, "Todd, are you for real?"
Rylee jumped in, "Mom, Dad's just talking out of his butt. Don't take it seriously!"
Seb frowned, "Dad, what the heck are you thinking? Why would you suddenly wanna split from Mom?"
The Anderson family was in total chaos, except for Susan, who was just sitting there, totally lost, and Andrew, who was also just sitting there, not saying a word.
"Andrew, say something!" Rylee nudged Andrew, annoyed that he was just sitting there.
Andrew snapped out of it and awkwardly said, "This is between Mom and Dad. What can we even say?"
"Say something to help them out!" Rylee glared at him.
Todd cut in, "No need. No one's changing my mind. I'm dead set on this!"
Carol, fuming, suddenly stood up and smashed the plates and bowls in front of her onto the floor!
In an instant, the porcelain shattered, and food went flying everywhere, making a huge mess.
"Todd, you think you can just walk out on me? No way. You've wasted my whole life, and now that I'm old, you wanna bail? Not happening!" Carol yelled and stormed off.
"Mom!" Rylee rushed to grab Carol. Everyone else stood up too.
Todd's face was stone-cold as he said, "Doesn't matter if you don't agree. I'll get a lawyer and file for divorce. No property disputes, and after six months, the court will grant it."
Hearing such cold words, even someone as tough as Carol got teary-eyed.
Carol turned to Todd, a mix of sadness and rage in her eyes. After a long pause, she said, "Todd, if you're gonna be this heartless, I'll see you in court. I won't let you have it your way. If there's gonna be a divorce, I'll be the one to start it, not you!"
With that, Carol stormed off.
"Mom!" Rylee called out, but Carol didn't look back.
Todd frowned and said to Rylee, "Rylee, stick with your mom for the next few days. Don't leave her alone."
"Okay." Rylee nodded, getting that Todd was worried Carol might do something drastic. She then followed Carol out.
Seb turned to Andrew, "Andrew, go with Mom and Rylee. I'll check on Mom later."
"Got it." Andrew nodded and hustled after Rylee.
Once the three of them were gone, the dining room settled back into a weird calm.
Mary was busy with Hayden and Spring, while Susan helped Kathy clean up the mess. Every now and then, she could catch bits of Todd and Seb's convo from the living room.
"Dad, why the sudden urge to divorce Mom?" Seb's voice was tight, like he was holding back.
Todd stayed quiet for a long time before finally saying, "I've been thinking about this for years. I was always wrapped up in work, and you and Rylee were just kids. Plus, your grandparents were still around, and they would've never let me divorce. So, I buried it deep. Since I retired, it's been eating at me more and more. Seb, you know how things are between me and your mom. I'm done with the constant fighting. I want to live my life. Don't try to talk me out of it; I've made up my mind."
Seb's frown deepened.
He grabbed a pack of smokes and a lighter from the coffee table, lit one up, and took a few deep drags before saying, "Dad, have you thought about Mom's feelings? She's getting old, and you wanna leave her now? She's proud; how's she gonna handle all the gossip?"
Todd scoffed. "Your mom's all about appearances and money. I don't mean much to her. She used to care about my status, and now she just doesn't want a divorce to save face."
"But..." Seb started to say more.
Todd cut him off. "Seb, my mind's made up. No point in trying to change it. I'm beat. I'm going to bed."
With that, Todd got up with his cane and headed for the bedroom.
At the bedroom door, Todd turned back and said to Seb, "Looks like I'll be crashing here for a bit. Once your mom and I finalize the divorce, I'll move back to the old house in the central district. I won't be a burden to you and Rylee."
Seb felt a mix of helplessness and frustration. "Dad, I'm your son. What are you talking about? I still don't agree with you and Mom splitting up, but it's your call. If you two do end up separating and Mom wants you to leave with nothing, don't worry, I'll make sure you're taken care of."
"Unless something crazy happens, my pension's enough for a simple life. Plus, I still get some royalties from my old books. I can write more stuff in the future. I'll be fine. But I'm proud to have a son as awesome as you!" With that, Todd turned and walked into the bedroom.
After the bedroom door closed, Seb stood in the living room, sighing in frustration.
Seeing Seb's troubled look, Susan stepped up, held his hand, and tried to comfort him, "Maybe Dad's just mad right now. He might change his mind in a few days."
Before Susan could finish, Seb cut her off, "You don't get my dad. When he says something, he means it!"
With that, Seb let go of Susan's hand and headed upstairs.
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