3
I called him, but he hung up seven times.
Each time, I became more determined.
Finally, he picked up.
Г
His voice was cold.
“What?”
I wanted to get straight to the point, but I still
asked, “Where are you?”
“Working late.”
His answer was no surprise, even though I
could hear Charlotte’s laughter in the
background.
I sighed and cursed myself for being so
pathetic.
“Chadwick, be at the courthouse at 8:30 AM
tomorrow to get a divorce.”
He paused, and I could hear the annoyance in
his voice.
“Is that what we’re doing now?”
“If you want a divorce agreement, I can send
it to you. You can bring it with you
tomorrow.”
I hung up and drove home.
I took out a suitcase and started packing,
deciding to take only my things.
Anything that had belonged to both of us
could stay in the past.
But when I started, I realized how much there
was.
And most of it was because of me.
Couple’s toothbrushes, matching outfits,
couple’s jewelry-he had never used any of it,
and a lot of it was still unopened.
Love is obvious.
He had never loved me, so I couldn’t even see
something so simple.
Even our wedding photos showed it. I was
smiling, but he had a cold look on his face.
We were standing apart from each other, just
like he had never wanted to be close to me.
I went to the house I had bought before the
marriage, organized my things, and started
thinking about what I needed to buy.
That night, I slept soundly.
The next morning, the sun filled the bedroom.
It was so peaceful.
I got ready and went to the courthouse.
When I got there, I parked and waited for
Chadwick.
I took out my phone and saw that Charlotte
had posted a series of photos.
There were roses, wedding rings, photos of
them kissing, and even their hotel room
information.
She wrote, “After all this time, it’s still you.”
<
I took a screenshot. I thought it would be
devastating, but after just one night, my heart
was different.
It wasn’t that it didn’t hurt, but not as much
as I thought.
I received the latest evidence of his cheating.
I had to save it.
I waited at the courthouse from the time they
opened until their lunch break, but Chadwick
didn’t show up.
A staff member came up to me. “Ma’am, we
close at 11:30 AM, and we don’t handle cases
during our lunch break.”
I nodded. “It’s okay.”
L
The staff member saw that I was there for a
divorce and advised me, “If he’s not here,
maybe he doesn’t want a divorce. You should
talk about it!”
I shook my head. “He’s probably still sleeping
with his mistress.”
The staff member looked shocked, and I told
her not to worry.
I took out my phone and called Chadwick.
This time, he answered right away.
“What?”
“I’m at the courthouse. When are you
coming?”
He seemed annoyed and paused before
saying, “I’m busy. We’ll talk about it tonight.”
He hung up. As I was about to leave, the staff
member said, “If he doesn’t come, you can
file online.”
She pointed to a sign in the distance.
“Thank you.”
After lunch, I followed the instructions on the
sign, uploaded the information, and filed for
divorce.
In the afternoon, I went to the store to buy
some essentials. After I finished, it was dark.
I was about to order takeout, but Chadwick
called.
<
His caller ID appeared on my phone.
I reluctantly picked up.
“Why aren’t you home yet?”
Why wasn’t I home? Hadn’t he just gotten
back?
I realized I hadn’t taken much with me, so it
was normal that he hadn’t noticed.
When I didn’t say anything, he continued, “I bought you a gift, you shoul…”
I interrupted him. “Did you get the
summons?”
“What summons?”
“The court summons. Since you didn’t come to the divorce, I had to file a lawsuit. I
received the message, so you should have as
well.”
“Whitney! Are you crazy? Why are you getting
a divorce?”
“Now that you and Charlotte are official, you
should give her your name. I’m making way
for her, isn’t that nice of me? You should sign
it as soon as possible.”
I hung up.
I had already decided to get a divorce, so why
say so much?
The most important thing now was to order
takeout!
About half an hour later, I heard footsteps
outside the door.
I was about to get up to greet my delivery,
but I stopped.
I heard the sound of high heels!
The door unlocked, and Chadwick walked in.
He was wearing a black suit, looking elegant
and composed.
If he wasn’t looking so gloomy and angry,
everyone would have called him a young
talent.
146
In the past, when he looked like this, I couldn’t
help but try to appease him.
No matter who was at fault.
He was always high above me, like the
untouchable sun.
I was the weak and insecure person who
wasn’t touched by the sun.
Now, I looked at him without the same
feelings.
The filter I had been wearing was strong.
I believed I would get out of the shadows
soon.
His arrival reminded me of something
important: changing the password.
<
No, I should change the locks!
