The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance novel Chapter 1537

"Besides," Joshua finished, "I've never been afraid of going to hell."

Sherman, standing to the side, was deeply shaken. It was a chillingly calm, clear, and terrifying statement. Joshua wasn't denying the importance of his savior, but no matter how important that person was, they couldn't compare to the woman he loved.

Sherman suddenly thought of a good friend of his who was in the middle of a messy divorce. He and his wife had been deeply in love, a perfect match. But then, a person who had once saved his life appeared, and their happy marriage fell apart. There's nothing wrong with being tolerant and lenient with someone who saved your life. But when his wife and his savior clashed, he always made his wife back down. After all, she had saved him.

At first, his wife had been willing to tolerate it. But over time, the savior became increasingly demanding, even starting to provoke his wife. Yet his friend, still bound by that debt of gratitude, couldn't bring himself to be firm. And so, they ended up on the path to divorce.

Not long ago, Sherman's friend had been complaining to him about it, his words full of frustration at his wife's lack of understanding. At the time, Sherman had thought his friend's complaints were not entirely wrong. But now, Joshua's words hit him like a splash of cold water, a sudden moment of clarity.

In that instant, he understood. It was true that his friend loved his wife, but he loved himself more. He constantly forced his wife to yield to his savior, often saying things like, "She saved my life, do you want me to be an ungrateful person?" or "If I were that heartless, couldn't I be just as cold to you one day? Is that the kind of person you want me to be?" He had wrapped his selfishness in a cloak of loyalty and honor. Forcing the person he loved to compromise was just a way to avoid his own guilt.

There was a term, "outsourcing filial piety." Was this what you'd call… "outsourcing gratitude"?

So, Joshua would rather be condemned by the world, hated by gods and men, than allow the woman he loved to suffer the slightest injustice?

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