Chapter 10%
Hayes’s eyes were filled with desperation, his voice raw with emotion.
“Elise, I never wanted to marry Zara. I don’t love her–I never did. The only person I’ve ever loved is you.” His hands clenched into fists. “I was just… envious of other families. I wanted a child so badly that I let myself make a stupid, reckless mistake… I never meant to hurt you.”
I let out a slow breath, my face betraying nothing.
Instead of responding to his confession, I said evenly, “Before I applied to become a Global Medical Relief doctor, I had a full–body medical exam. The results showed I’m perfectly healthy.”
I met his gaze, pausing for a moment before delivering the final blow.
“There was never anything wrong with me.“>
The blood drained from Hayes’s face. His expression froze, and his lips parted in disbelief. He shook his head, the words barely escaping him.
“No… that’s not possible. You must be joking.“}
I held his gaze, unwavering.§
“Hayes, whether you believe me or not, you’ll know the truth if you check yourself.” My tone remained calm and controlled. “But that’s not my concern anymore.“}
I straightened, my voice firm.
“I won’t be here for long, so I suggest you decide quickly. Come with me to finalize the divorce, or I’ll take legal action.“}
His shoulders tensed, the weight of my words settling over him.”
He knew as well as I did–we were still legally married. Yet, he had been living with another woman, raising a child that might not even be his. In legal terms, this wasn’t just infidelity. It was bigamy.“]
Whether we parted on peaceful terms or through the courts was his choice. And Hayes, despite everything, wasn’t stupid.}
I didn’t wait for his response.}
I turned and walked away, heading upstairs where Theo and Izzy were waiting.
…&
Not long after, the news spread.
Despite Zara’s protests, Hayes had insisted on taking the child for a paternity test.
And just as I had expected–the baby wasn’t his.
The moment he saw the results, Hayes lost it. Enraged, he took back everything he had given Zara, cutting off all support and kicking her and her child out without hesitation.
It was over.
And with that, he knew he had no right–no excuse–to hold onto me any longer.}
So, he agreed to the divorce.
…8
On the day we signed the papers, Hayes looked like a shadow of the man I once knew.
His once–sharp presence had dulled, and his shoulders slumped with exhaustion. His hair, which had always been dark, now had streaks of white at his temples. He looked like he’d aged twenty years overnight.
Regret weighed heavily in his eyes.}
But I didn’t spare him sympathy.
I barely looked at him as I walked past and into the Marriage License Bureau.
Just as I reached the counter, his voice called out from behind me–soft, broken.
“Elise…” He hesitated, then asked the question I knew was coming.”
“Can we really never go back to the way things were?“}
I didn’t answer.
Some things can never be undone.”
Instead, I met the clerk’s gaze and signed my name on the divorce papers–without hesitation, without doubt.
Across from me, Hayes’s hand trembled as he gripped the pen. His eyes glistened with unshed tears, his breath shaky as he struggled to write his name.
“Elise…” His voice cracked. “In the end… I lost you.“}
A deep silence settled between us.
Then, the clerk handed over our divorce certificates–a single piece of paper symbolizing the final severance of what was once an unbreakable bond.
I took mine and looked at Hayes one last time.}
the One Who Loft
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12:26 PM D
ItʊʊK fine anu tukeu ai nayes une last time.
“From now on,” I said quietly, “may we both live well and have no further ties.“}
And with that, I walked away.}
I didn’t look back.
Even when I heard the faint sound of his quiet sobs behind me, I kept walking.
…&
As I stepped outside, the bright sunlight greeted me.”
Theo and Izzy were waiting by the roadside.
Seeing me, Theo approached, holding a bouquet of fresh flowers. His expression was warm, steady, unwavering.” “Congratulations, Miss Montague,” he said with a small smile. “You finally got what you wished for.“}
Staring at their vibrant petals, I accepted the flowers and murmured, “Thank you.”
Then, I exhaled as if letting go of the last remaining weight on my chest.
“Theo…” I lifted my gaze, meeting his. “If I can, I want to live brightly and passionately.“}
I refused to disappoint my mother. I refused to disappoint myself.”
Theo’s eyes darkened slightly, his voice gentle as it carried through the breeze.>
“You will, Elise,” he promised.”
And somehow, I believed him.
“You’ll have everything you wish for. Life will be smooth sailing.” Theo’s words felt like an oath–one whispered under the golden sky, carried away by the wind.
Like the radiant sunlight shining down on me, endlessly warm, endlessly bright.”
The End.
Chapter 10
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