Chapter 5

”

A location message popped up on my phone. It was a coffee shop near my home. Mr. Davies’s law firm wasn’t in this area. And tomorrow was Sunday. It seemed he had worked overtime for me. I had first asked Mr. Davies to draft divorce papers about six months after Aria returned. During that time, I had gone back and forth, hesitant many times. Mr. Davies understood my reluctance the most. But he was also the one who often advised me that what needed to be let go should be. Liam’s indifference to me was so obvious even strangers couldn't bear to see it. I used to be too foolish, too naive. Always believing that the boy who had helped me countless times when I was in distress would eventually fall for me. 7. The next day, I received the divorce agreement. Looking at the prominent words at the top. I felt a little dazed. “Ms. Hamilton, as you know, divorces now require a thirty-day waiting period. After that, as long as both parties agree, the divorce can be finalized. ”

I nodded, placing the agreement on the table. “Thank you for taking time out of your weekend to help me. ”

Mr. Davies sighed, smiling helplessly. “It’s nothing. If you can escape this misery, I consider it a good deed. ”

Just then, an abrupt accusing voice sounded behind me. “Skylar, what are you doing here? ”

I turned and saw Liam and Aria. Aria’s gaze swept between Mr. Davies and me. “Skylar, are you on a date? ”

Her words seemed to strike a nerve in Liam. He walked over and grabbed my wrist. “You’re not home on the weekend because you’re out seeing him? ”

No wonder I wanted to divorce him. I pulled my wrist free from Liam’s grasp, then turned to Mr. Davies to apologize. “I’m sorry, Mr. Davies. Please leave first; I need to handle some family matters. ”

“Skylar, sigh. ” Mr. Davies looked at Liam, “Mr. Sterling, I am merely Ms. Hamilton’s lawyer. ”

With that, Mr. Davies stood up and left the coffee shop. People around us kept staring, so I whispered to Liam. “Let’s go. We’ll talk at home. Don’t make a scene here. ”

Liam was about to say something else, but my words cut him off. “I don’t care about my reputation, but does Dr. Sterling care about his? ”

His family lived not far from City General Hospital. This coffee shop was also frequented by hospital staff. Liam was very image-conscious. Hearing what I said, he remained silent. Back home, I took out the divorce agreement. “Tomorrow, we’ll go to the registry office to get a number and apply for divorce. In a month, you’ll be free. ”

My words didn’t make Liam happy; instead, they made Aria happy. However, Liam spoke, first asking me to leave. “Aria, please go back for now. This is a matter between my wife and me. ”

Aria’s face stiffened, then she quickly resumed her gentle demeanor. “Okay. Just talk it over with him properly, Skylar. Don’t let him misunderstand us. Divorce isn’t a small matter; don’t be impulsive. ”

I scoffed. Even as she left, she had to cast judgment on me. After Aria left, Liam sat on the sofa, picking up the divorce agreement and reading it. For a long, long time, he didn’t speak. His gaze lifted from the agreement to me. “Do you really want to divorce me? ”

Liam noticed the pendant on the table, taped together again and again. “Is it just for a pendant? Aria didn’t mean it. I can buy you a new one to replace it. ”

I looked at him calmly and asked, “Under what name would you replace it? My husband, or Aria’s ex-boyfriend? ”

“Aria’s right, you’re still too impulsive. ”

Liam tossed the divorce agreement onto the table. “Skylar, you secretly forced Aria to leave us back then. ”

I froze. When had I ever forced Aria to leave? “You made Aria leave and told her to give me up to you. Aria told me everything the day she returned. ”

“Do you know how much Aria suffered abroad all these years? You owe Aria. ”

Liam’s words were like a knife, once again carving into my already scarred heart. I looked at Liam with difficulty. In his heart, I was apparently so despicable. “I don’t blame you for Aria going abroad, and I won’t blame you anymore. ”

He said it as if he was granting immense mercy. “I didn’t…”

The explanation died on my lips. What was the point of explaining now? He firmly believed in this “old grievance. ”

In his eyes, I was a sinner. And no one believes a sinner. I paused, then suddenly looked up and asked him. “Liam, do you know what happened the day Aria returned? ”

Liam frowned in confusion: “What happened? ”

That day was our fourth wedding anniversary. Liam had promised to come home after work to be with me. I had planned to tell him we were having a baby. But Liam broke his promise. I waited in the heavy snow for four hours. I was holding that pregnancy test report when I slipped and fell on my way to find him. The baby was gone. My baby, whom I had waited for four years. Gone. 8. I suppressed my grief, trying to calm down. “Nothing. I wanted to say, since you already think I stole Aria’s boyfriend, then why won’t you agree to divorce me? ”

Hearing this, Liam’s frown deepened. “I said I forgive you. So—”

“I just want a divorce. ” I looked at him, repeating, “I just want a divorce. ”

His eyes now held only disappointment in our marriage. “Fine, divorce. ” Liam said through gritted teeth, “Skylar, don’t you dare regret this. ”

With that, Liam slammed the door and left.