On the other end, a woman’s voice answered softly, “Yes.”
“I’ll have my assistant arrange it.”
Not long after, I received the confirmation for a marriage license. Among all those divorce registrations, this one stood out like a beacon.
So it was this simple all along.
“Who were you talking to so late?” Claire suddenly entered, spotting the bloodied bandages on the floor.
“You’re really hurt?”
For the first time, I saw a flicker of remorse in her eyes. She hurried forward, examining my palm.
“I didn’t know it was this bad. Why didn’t you say something?”
She grabbed fresh bandages and began tending my wound, gentle and attentive.
It had been so long since she’d shown me this kind of care.
Between us, there had been nothing but bitterness and fighting. And when you’ve been starved of comfort, even the smallest kindness can break you.
I couldn’t stop myself—I pulled Claire into my arms.
She embraced me back, patting my shoulder softly.
“I know I’ve neglected you lately. That’s why you’ve been so extreme.”
“It’s all over now. Once I take Ethan back to his hometown for his mother’s funeral, we’ll get our license, okay?”
My arms loosened around her.
So this sudden tenderness—it had only been for this.
And I’d been foolish enough to think she truly saw my pain.
But this time, I didn’t argue.
“Fine.”
Claire lit up with joy.
“That’s my good husband!”
She hugged and kissed me eagerly. Her breath rushed against my ear, lips brushing mine.
I turned my head away. “My hand’s injured. Not now.”
Her face darkened.
“I’m going to shower. You should get some sleep.”
That night, I lay awake. Even through the wall, I could hear the heavy breaths from her room—harsh and infuriating.
By morning, the house was empty. She had left with Ethan for the funeral.
I packed my things, left the house keys and wedding ring on the coffee table, and closed the door behind me.
That was the end of us.
At one in the afternoon, I arrived punctually at the City Hall Marriage Bureau.
A black Maybach pulled up. A woman in a white business suit stepped out gracefully.
“Let’s go. I only need ten minutes.”
I nodded and walked with her.
“Watch out!”
Suddenly, Isabella Bennett pulled me into her arms as a flowerpot crashed to the ground where I’d been standing.
My heart raced as I looked up at her, stunned.
“You’re still the same as when you were a kid. Always walking without watching.”