Chapter 22 The Final Goodbye
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At precisely nine in the morning. Francis arrived at the Bureau of Civil Affairs, right on time. Deep down, he still harbored a glimmer of hope that perhaps Clara did not truly want a divorce. If she was not there, he could use it as an excuse, claiming that she was the one unwilling to go through with it.
But the moment he arrived, that hope was shattered.
Clara was already there, standing at the entrance with Liam by her side. The two of them were chatting and laughing as if they had no worries in the world.
A surge of anger flared up inside Francis. His expression darkened as he strode forward, casting a cold glance at Liam before directing his words mockingly at Clara. “Clara, don’t forget that even if we file for divorce today, there’s still a thirty–day cooling–off period. If you were planning to rush in and register your marriage with your lover right after, I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed.”
His biting words made Clara frown, but she had no interest in arguing with him. She only wanted to get this over with as soon as possible.
Liam, however, had no patience for Francis’s antics. “So what if there’s a thirty–day cooling–off period? As long as the divorce certificate is issued, when or whom she chooses to marry is none of your business.”
If Clara had not stopped him all these days, Liam would have taught this arrogant man another lesson. Francis had already failed Clara, yet he still had the audacity to provoke her. Did he really think the Westwood family would tolerate this?
Francis’s face turned icy, his aura sharp and unyielding. “As long as our marriage certificate is still valid, she is my wife, and you will always be nothing more than a third party.”
Liam was not the least bit fazed. He smirked and shrugged “So what? She loves me. It’s only a matter of time before you two are divorced. As long as she loves me, we’ll end up together eventually.”
“You!” Francis was so infuriated by his shamelessness that he was momentarily lost for words.
Clara, unwilling to waste any more time, spoke up. “Let’s go. If we don’t finish the process soon, the staff will go on break.”
Francis clenched and unclenched his fists repeatedly before finally gritting his teeth and spitting out, “Clara, if nothing else, your taste in men has certainly taken a nosedive.”
Clara’s expression shifted slightly, her gaze turning colder as she looked at him.
Liam had always protected me, never allowing anyone to speak ill of me. And now, Francis had the audacity to insult him?
She shot him a glare filled with disgust, as if looking at something filthy. “If anything, my taste was worse eight years ago.”
0:32 PM c d
Chapter 22 The Final Goodbye
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Francis froze, caught off guard by her words. He had never expected her to say something like that just to defend Liam.
If these past eight years had been a mistake, then what did that make him? And what about our child?
“Francis, no matter what you say, this divorce is happening Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked into the Bureau of Civil Affairs
Francis clenched his jaw, his expression unreadable as he silently followed her inside.
It did not take long for the two to finish the process. When they stepped out, they were no longer husband and wife. They would just be two people walking separate paths.
Liam immediately stepped forward when he saw Clara come out. Without a glance at Francis, he walked with her toward the car.
But Francis was not ready to let her
go just yet.
“Clara.” he called out. “Are you really willing to throw away our family, me and Wesley, for him?”
Even now, he refused to believe she had truly given up on him. There was no way Liam could be better than him. They had a child together. He could not believe she was willing to abandon everything they had.
Clara turned back, her voice tinged with exhaustion. “Francis, our divorce has nothing to do with
Liam.”
“Then why?” Francis could not understand. If not because of Liam, then why was she so determined to leave him?
Clara looked at him deeply, but she did not answer. Instead, she opened the car door and got in.
She had told him many times before, but he had never truly listened. She was done explaining.
“Let’s go,” she said to Liam.
Francis watched them drive away, his hands clenching into its before he finally turned back to
his own car.
Back at home, Francis ignored Wesley and locked himself in his study, refusing to see anyone. Wesley could obviously sense his father’s foul mood.
He picked up his phone to make a call. “Ms. Dawson, Daddy seems really sad today. What should I do to make him happy?*
On the other end of the line, Natalie’s eyes flickered with intrigue.
*Do you know why your daddy is upset? Did something happen today?” She asked, already sensing an opportunity.
Chapter 22 The Final Goodbye
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he has locked himself in his room. No matter how much I call for him, he won’t answer. Ms. Dawson. I’m really worried about Daddy. I couldn’t reach Mommy, so I called you instead. Do you think Daddy will die?”
“Oh, sweetheart, don’t worry. I will come over right now,” Natalie assured him, her heart brimming with satisfaction.
After hanging up, she quickly freshened up and headed straight to the Pierce Residence.
Before long. Natalie was standing before Wesley, ready to seize her chance.
