Ex-husband’s Regret

I almost blurted out the words, but managed to hold back.

There was no point in saying it.

I smirked. "You really are selfless. Can I ask you to do another good deed next month?"

"Go ahead."

I said calmly, "Come with me to get the divorce certificate."

The restraint that held me tightened suddenly. I could feel the man's fingers tremble faintly, followed by a silent standoff.

After a while, the elevator doors suddenly opened, and a loving couple walked out.

Ryan seemed momentarily distracted. Seizing the opportunity, I pulled my wrist free and stepped into the elevator.

I pressed the close button. As the elevator doors slowly shut, I unexpectedly felt a long-lost sense of relief.

Separation was the best choice.

It can only be separation.

That night, whether it was because things were finally resolved or because I was exhausted, I slept until after nine the next day.

Jane didn't wake me up even when she left for work.

She made some sandwiches for me for breakfast.

I ate two, wondering why my appetite was so good, until I realized that I had a miscarriage.

Without morning sickness, of course my appetite would improve.

If it weren't for seeing blood every time I went to the bathroom, I would have felt like it was all a hazy dream.

After eating, I sat under the sun and continued drawing the design drafts for the competition.

I had almost finished seven or eight drawings; now I just needed to wrap things up.

After finishing the drawings and making a few adjustments, I opened my email and sent them to MS.

Just as I was about to stretch my sore shoulders and neck, a call came in.

I answered, puzzled, "Hello?"

Ryan's voice was calm. "If you don't want a divorce, why are you being so stubborn?"

"What are you talking about?"

"I already know," he continued unhurriedly. "Uncle Bob just came to see me. He said you cried again?"

I instantly felt irritated.

12

I couldn't belleve Bob would meddle in this!

Seeing I wasn't responding, he half-coaxed, half-persuaded, "Charlotte, we haven't reached the point where divorce is the only option."

I pinched my palm. "Where's my uncle?"

"Just left."

"Got it."

"I'm saying, think about it..."

I hung up on him halfway through his sentence.

"What a mess!"

I grabbed my bag and was about to leave. Remembering Jane's motherly advice, I grabbed a beige wool

coat.

When I arrived at the ward, Aunt Laura wasn't there.

The ward door was open, and the smell of smoke hit me. Bob and Bradley were lounging in the living room like old men, sprawled out, eating snacks and watching TV dramas. The ashtray on the coffee table was filled with cigarette butts.

They were so relaxed, nothing like caregivers for a patient.

Even the nutritious meals and fruit platters prepared by the hospital had been cleaned out by them.

Seeing me, Bob spat out the melon seed shell in his mouth, sat up lazily, and said, "Who taught you to visit empty-handed? Remember to bring something next time."Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

"Where's Aunt Laura?" I waved away the smell of smoke.

"She's gone for tests."

"Fine!"

If Aunt Laura wasn't going to be back for a while, I had nothing to fear. I looked at him coldly. "Who asked you to go and talk nonsense with Ryan?"

"What nonsense did I say?" He glared at me, grumbling. "What's up with your attitude to an elder? Have you no respect?"

"I have no need for your meddling in my affairs."

"What do you mean 'meddling?" Bob stood up annoyed. "Didn't you cry in front of your aunt yesterday? Both eyes were still red! You refuse to apologize and make up with General Fu, so I tried to help, and now you're ungrateful?"

I sneered. "Are you afraid that if I divorce him and leave the Frost family, you won't have money to leech. off of anymore?"

If it weren't for Aunt Laura, I wouldn't have wasted a single word on him.