Her Tiny Hand Chose My Freedom

It's my daughter, Clementine Hartman's first time smashing cake and we hold a big birthday party for her.

Somehow, she digs out a thong belonging to Nancy Ortega, my husband's female best friend, from the giftbox he has prepared.

Everyone is stunned, to say the least. Nancy lets out a soft gasp before blinking at me innocently.

"Sorry, this is my fault! Shawn and I traded underwear just for fun some time ago, and I forgot to take it away. Please don't take this matter to heart, Karina."

I do my best to suppress my rage and pretend that nothing has happened for Clementine's sake.

But suddenly Clementine picks up a document.

Thinking that it's a present prepared by the elderly members in the family for Clementine, I glance at it before putting it away.

Unexpectedly, Nancy bursts out laughing.

"Karina, is money all you care about? Did you seriously accept that document without going through it? Don't tell me you seriously think a property deed is wrapped up in that document!"

Then, Nancy picks out a few pieces of paper from the pile before tossing them to me.

Only then do I make out the details. It turns out that Clementine has actually grabbed a copy of the divorce agreement meant for me and Shawn Hartman.

I stare at Shawn in disbelief. "Is this what you really want? A divorce?"

Shawn looks perplexed at first, but he still shields Nancy behind him out of instinct.

"Nancy's just pulling a prank. Don't take it to heart. She's just joking around."

But Nancy sticks her head out from behind Shawn and adds, "Joking around? Shawn, don't tell me you've lost your courage to divorce Karina!"

All the guests fall silent at her words. They all turn to look at me.

After a while, I don't react by crying or kicking up a fuss. Instead, I drop my signature on the divorce agreement while everyone else stares at me in shock.

"Fine. Let's get divorced."

After all, it is my daughter's gift.

Shawn Hartman's expression changed instantly when he saw me sign the divorce papers without hesitation.

"Karina Decker, are you crazy? Those divorce papers were just something Nancy accidentally slipped in. It's not real."

"Accidentally? Are you saying you accidentally drafted the divorce papers and then accidentally signed them?" I lowered my head and let out a bitter laugh. "Shawn, do you take me for a fool?"

"Oh, come on, Karina, is it really that big of a deal? Those divorce papers were just a silly dare Shawn lost. We were all just messing around. If it bothers you that much, how about I tear it up for you? I promise that Shawn won't say a single word against you."

With a look that conveyed her annoyance, Nancy Ortega reached over to grab the papers on the table.

Shawn frowned and said, "It was just a joke. If you're going to be this sensitive about it, I'll just tear up the