от
Laverne cried and begged for her life while Ayden held her, trying to comfort her. I couldn’t bear to watch it any longer.
I pulled out the printed divorce agreement from my bag.
“Ayden, at this point, there’s nothing more to discuss. Since your family supports our divorce, just sign it.”
Ayden paused for a moment, disbelief etched on his face as he turned to look at me.
“Patricia, what are you doing? Didn’t I say we should both take a moment to calm down? We’ve been married for three years. Do you really feel nothing for me?”
Yes.
Hearing his words made me laugh bitterly.
Reflecting on those three years, I felt trapped in a swamp called marriage.
I had truly had enough of feeling wronged.
Now, I just wanted a clean break.
Ayden grabbed my hand in a panic, his expression filled with desperation.
“Patricia, please don’t divorce me. If you want to work, I won’t stop you anymore. I’ll do everything I can to find that necklace. We’ve already reported it to the police. I can’t live without you.”
The heat from his palm almost burned my wrist.
I looked up at Ayden, my heart devoid of any emotion.
He claimed he couldn’t live without me, yet he had waited at the airport for Laverne when her flight was delayed on my birthday.
On Thanksgiving, he had left me to dine alone while he splurged on a plane ticket to celebrate Laverne’s birthday abroad.
Even when my mother passed away, he hadn’t shown up.
At that time, he was busy getting project data from my computer to send to Laverne as evidence for her thesis.
After all those experiences, I no longer believed a word he said.
I shoved the divorce agreement at Ayden, my tone icy. “Ayden, I’ve given you so many chances, but you’ve never cherished them.”
Seeing me turn to leave, Ayden chased after me.
Before he could speak, Laverne threw herself in front of me.
“I’m so sorry, Patricia. Please don’t divorce Ayden because of me. It’s all my fault. I’ll repay you even if I have to beg. I promise I won’t ever appear in front of you again. Don’t leave Ayden because of me.”
She sobbed as she spoke, creating a chaotic scene.
I frowned slightly, still processing everything, when Ayden abruptly grabbed Laverne’s arm.
“Why are you apologizing? Stop crying! You haven’t done anything wrong. Our marriage has nothing to do with you. Laverne, you must not think this is your fault.”
I smirked, watching Ayden comfort Laverne.
When he met my gaze, he pressed his lips together, clearly uncomfortable.
“Patricia, my feelings for you are sincere. I don’t know why you’re upset. We’ve been so happy together for these three years. You know I’ve never had feelings for Laverne.
Are you really going to let an innocent girl bear the brunt of our marriage’s failure?”
I couldn’t believe that, even now, he was unconditionally defending Laverne while blaming me.
I had no expectations left for him.
I nodded slowly.
“You’re right. I shouldn’t let an innocent girl pay for our failed marriage.
But am I not innocent as well?”
