Chapter 2
Grace said, "I've really given it my all these past three years, Mom. I tried so hard to be a good wife, to make him happy, to keep this marriage together. But I'm exhausted, Mom.
"He doesn't love me. I know it. I thought if I was good enough, he'd see me someday. But now I finally get it: love just isn't something you can force. No matter how hard I try, it doesn't make a difference."
The breeze brought the faint scent of flowers from somewhere in the distance.
Grace took a deep breath, got to her feet, and brushed away her tears.
"I'm heading out, Mom. I might not be able to come see you as much, but I'll be alright."
She bowed deeply, then turned and walked away.
Back at the house she'd lived in for three years, Grace started packing up her things.
Honestly, there wasn't much to pack.
The villa was massive, over 3,000 square feet, but everything she owned fit into a single suitcase.
A few changes of clothes, some daily essentials, and the photo sitting on her nightstand.
It was the only photo of her and Matthew together, taken on their wedding day. Her eyes curved in a happy smile, while he stayed expressionless, with just a slight upward curve at the corner of his lips.
That little bit was enough to make her believe he actually liked her.
Grace took the photo out of the frame and slipped it into her bag.
Then she put her marriage certificate, ID, and the wedding ring she'd barely worn on the nightstand.
After that, she dragged her suitcase downstairs.
At the door, she paused and glanced back at the place she'd called home for three years.
The living room still had the plants she'd picked out herself, the kitchen still had the spices she never used up, and by the entrance, his slippers were still sitting in the shoe cabinet.
None of it was hers anymore.
The door closed behind her with a soft click.
At the same time, Matthew's car pulled into the villa complex.
He didn't even know why he came back home. He still had two meetings lined up for the afternoon and a dinner engagement tonight, but before he knew it, he was already driving back here.
Maybe it was because he felt the divorce agreement was something that needed to be settled face-to-face.
He parked in front of the house and saw the front door tightly closed. A sense of unease washed over him.
He opened the door, and the house was so quiet that it felt wrong.
"Grace?" he called out.
No one answered.
He walked into the living room. The plants were still there. The kitchen looked untouched, everything just as she'd left it. Then he went to the bedroom, and the first thing he saw was the marriage certificate and the ring sitting on the nightstand.
Matthew stood there, staring at the ring, catching the light of the setting sun, frozen for what felt like ages.
His phone rang. It was David. "Matthew, about tonight's dinner engagement..."
"Cancel it," Matthew said.
David froze for a second, but before he could ask why, Matthew had already hung up.
Matthew went to the closet and pulled it open.
On the left, his suits and shirts were lined up neatly. On the right, her side was empty.
He suddenly remembered their wedding day. She put her clothes away one by one, saying with a smile, "From now on, this is our home."
He was right there beside her, focused on his paperwork, never even looking up. "Mm."
Just one word.
But she was still so happy, humming a tune as she carefully organized everything, lingering over the task.
Matthew closed the closet door and walked over to the window, watching as the sky outside grew darker.
His phone buzzed again. This time, it was a message from Grace.
Grace: [I've signed the agreement. It's on the nightstand. Let's meet at the courthouse. You pick the time.]
He stared at those words for what felt like ages.
Then he picked up his phone and dialed.
"Find out where Grace went," he said.
Half an hour later, David got back to him with an update.
"Grace booked an 8 PM flight to Seaside City," David reported.
Matthew glanced at the time. It was 7:10.
He grabbed his car keys and headed out.
The airport terminal was buzzing with people coming and going.
Grace sat by the boarding gate, holding a cup of cold coffee.
The boarding announcements kept playing over the speakers, reminding passengers to board.
She hadn't told anyone where she was headed. Seaside City was just a layover. She'd already booked a ticket to Octus.
She wanted to go somewhere windy, somewhere the breeze could clear away the heaviness in her heart.
"Attention passengers for Seaside City, flight CA1234 is now boarding..."
Grace got up, dragging her suitcase as she headed toward the boarding gate.
Just then, a hand suddenly caught her wrist.
The touch was icy cold, making her shiver involuntarily.
She turned around and found Matthew standing there, face-to-face with her.
He must have run all the way here. His breathing was uneven, and his hair was a bit tousled, not as immaculate as usual.
He just held her wrist, looking at her in silence.
"Matthew?" Grace blinked, then managed a smile. "What a coincidence. Are you traveling for work?"
"Come home with me," he said.