Chapter 2
Sure enough. I pulled out my phone and opened a discreet app.
On the screen, a blue dot was slowly moving.
The dot was getting farther and farther from the airport, but instead of heading for the highway, it was going straight toward a luxury residential area on the east side of the city.
The label beneath the blue dot read: "My husband."
Three minutes later, the blue dot stopped right at Building 7 in Willow Estates.
At the same time, my phone buzzed with a text message. It was from Eric.
"Helen, I'm on the plane. Don't worry. I'll call you when I land. Love you," the message read.
I looked at the message and couldn't stop laughing.
Eric, we're over.
The next morning at 8:30, I arrived at City Hall right on time.
The sunlight felt warm on my skin.
I was in a great mood. I could finally break free and get a fresh start.
I got in line and waited.
Around me, some people arrived beaming with joy to get married, while others came looking glum to separate.
I just stayed calm, calmer than anyone about to walk away from five years of marriage.
"Number A37, please proceed to Window 3." came the announcement.
I stood up, walked over to the window, and handed in my ID, household registration book, and marriage certificate.
The staff member was a woman in her forties, wearing glasses, with a gentle demeanor.
She checked my documents and then looked up at me.
"Ma'am, are you here alone?"
"Yes, I'm here to file for divorce on my own." I nodded.
She pushed up her glasses and explained matter-of-factly.
"Here's the procedure: you submit your application first, we'll review it, and then there's a thirty-day cooling-off period.
After that, if both sides still want to go through with it, you can come back to finalize the divorce."
"We'll notify your spouse through official channels and by mail."
I cut her off. "I want to go through a contested divorce, and I want it to happen as quickly as possible." I said.
She was surprised. "To file for a contested divorce, you need a legal reason like domestic violence, abandonment, or if your spouse has committed serious misconduct."
"And the process could take even longer." she added.
I took out my phone from my bag.
"I have proof." I said.
I opened my photo album and showed her the photos one by one.
In the pictures, Eric was seen with a young, attractive woman.
They were shopping together, having dinner, kissing in the car, and even went into the same apartment building together.
I recognized the woman. It was Vivian White, the new intern at Eric's company. Eric had told me she was his cousin and asked me to take care of her. And I really did.
The staff's face grew more serious.
She scrolled through the photos, her frown getting deeper.
"These count as proof that he cheated on you." she said.
"But if you want to file a lawsuit, we still need to reach him directly."
"The records show your husband's listed address is here in the city, but do you know where he actually is right now?"
The smile on my lips grew even wider.
"He's gone to Norland for work, and he'll be gone for three years." I replied.
The staff member looked stunned.
"Norland? That's a real hassle. We'll have to deal with international summons, and the whole process gets really complicated." she said.
She looked really concerned.
"That's exactly why I came to you." I said.
I put my phone away and said in an unhurried tone.
"Because I know he never actually left for Norland." I added.
I opened the location app again.
The blue dot was still sitting quietly at Building 7 in Willow Estates. It stayed put all night.
I turned the phone screen toward her.
"My app tracks the car's location." I explained.
"My husband drove my car to the airport yesterday, and since then, it's just been sitting there."
"It's only a twenty-minute drive from here." I added.
The staff member leaned closer to look at the address on my phone, then double-checked the address on Eric's ID.
They were completely different.
Her expression changed in an instant.
Her official hesitation melted away, replaced by scorn for Eric and pity for me.
She lowered her voice.
"I understand," she said quietly.
"In this situation, we can try sending the summons to the address you gave us.
"Just fill out the application form and attach all your evidence, those photos, and the screenshot from your tracking app.
"We'll take care of it as soon as we can," she added.
I nodded, grabbed the form, and started filling it out at the counter, writing each word carefully.
Every word, I wrote carefully.
Name: Helen Grant.
Reason for divorce: My husband cheated on me, and he had the intent to deceive me and transfer our shared assets. Yes, intent.
After all I moved the money first, but I knew if I hadn't, it would've vanished before I even noticed.
Eric was preparing for yet another "startup."
This time, the seed money was my 1.17 million dollars, but the beneficiaries would be him and Vivian.
After finishing the last word, I handed the form, along with the printed photos and screenshots.
She checked everything carefully and put it all into a file folder.
"Alright, Ms. Grant, you can go home and wait for our notice," she said.
"Thank you." I stood up and turned to leave.
As I stepped out of City Hall, the sunlight was so bright I could barely keep my eyes open.
I raised my hand to shield my eyes and let out a long breath.
Step one, complete.
Now, all I had to do was wait for the fish to take the bait.
I pulled out my phone and checked it.
No missed calls, no messages.
Eric was always good at playing his part.
He probably thought I was at home, crying my eyes out, lost in heartbreak.
Little did he know I'd seen through his scheme.
I got a taxi and gave the driver an address.
"Willow Estates, please." I said.
The driver checked my number and started the car.
I wanted to see if my car was really parked there.
I also wanted to see what their sweet home actually looked like.
The car wound through the city streets.
Just then, my phone started ringing like crazy.
The caller ID flashed three words: [Mother-in-law.]
I looked at the number, but didn't answer right away. The real show is about to start.