Chapter 7
“Sorry to bother you again.”
I made Adam a cup of warm water.
He helped me organize everything and patiently went over my case details again.
I hadn’t wanted to bother him; I’d already asked for his help so many times before that I felt guilty about it.
Adam was one of the top divorce lawyers in the field. When he heard I wanted a divorce, he skillfully listed his strengths. and winning cases. I couldn’t refuse, so I decided to hire him.
He started by cursing Ethan, calling him heartless and unworthy, then he began gathering evidence for me.
It had been a long time since I last saw him. When he appeared in front of me, felt momentarily dazed.
He hadn’t changed a bit, while I was
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completely worn out inside.
“What are you talking about?
“We’ve known each other for years. You
don’t need to say that.”
Adam flipped open his notebook. He noticed my low spirits, and offered a few comforting words before suddenly suggesting,
“This isn’t something we can fix quickly. Do you want to visit your dad?”
I froze for a moment, then nodded, holding back my tears.
I had avoided visiting my dad’s grave, afraid
it would make him sad.
On the way, Adam held Nathan’s hand,
making him laugh the whole time, which lightened my mood a bit.
As we walked along the path to the
cemetery, Nathan suddenly said, “Does this count as a trip?”
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Adam laughed in response, but I forced back my tears. Dad would be sad if he saw me crying.
I had asked Ethan if he could come with me to visit my dad.
He made excuses several times, and I realized he didn’t want to go.
I didn’t push him. Every time I saw other families of three visiting the graves together, I couldn’t help but feel envious.
Adam placed the carnations by the gravestone and started teasing me with embarrassing stories from my childhood, making my face turn red.
“Don’t ruin my image in front of Nathan!”
Ethan suddenly showed up looking for me, so I quickly changed to a new hotel.
He messaged me from a new number, sending countless texts saying it was a momentary lapse and begging for a chance to apologize.
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I immediately blocked his new number.
He offered three times the price to buy my house.
I had no reason to refuse.
When we signed the contract, he seemed like he wanted to say something, but I bluntly told him I didn’t want any further interaction with him.
Ethan seemed frustrated and put down his pen, asking me, “What will it take for you to forgive me?
“I truly know I was wrong.”
I signed my name and stamped my fingerprint, then looked at him in disbelief as he spoke.
“Forgive you for what?
“For conspiring with your mom to deceive me? For standing by while she tormented me? For cheating on me? Or maybe for still being obsessed with your ex–girlfriend?”
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I shrugged. “I don’t care who you’re with. Go ahead and be with whoever you want. I just want Nathan.”
Ethan’s eyes lit up. “Nathan…”
“If you insist on fighting for him, then I’ll give him up. I just want to cut all ties with you. I can have more kids.”
He looked defeated as he reluctantly signed the papers. Nathan huddled by my side, innocently asking, “Mom, can I get a new dad now?
“I want Adam!!”
I patted his head. Nathan was still young and didn’t really understand what divorce.
meant.
He only knew who treated him well and who didn’t.
The dad who never showed up for parent- teacher meetings and always yelled at him, Ethan, was bad in his eyes.
But Adam, who took him to the doctor and
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was always kind, was good in his eyes.
Adam stood behind me. I was grateful for him stepping into this mess and for everything he had done for me.
When Nathan had a fever, it was Adam who took us to the hospital.
I tried to slip him some money as a thank you, but he flatly refused.
“We’ve known each other for so long, since you were just a kid. I can’t take your money.”
Ethan’s pen made a scratch on the paper. His face darkened as he questioned me, “What’s your relationship with Adam?”
I found it ridiculous. Adam stepped in and slapped him, speaking up for me, “Ethan, you’ve made enough of a scene. If anyone knows what kind of person Chloe is, it’s
you.
“There’s no need for you to insult her like
this.”
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I covered Nathan’s ears and glared at Ethan. “What more do you want? Do you think everyone cheats and obsesses over their ex like you do?!”
“I…”
He lowered his head and signed his name.
Ethan handed me the contract but held onto the edge, unwilling to let go.
“Can’t we talk this out?”
Holding onto his last bit of hope, his veins. bulged as he gripped the edge of the paper.
“Of course not.”
He opened his hand, revealing a ring with my name engraved on it.
“Throw it away. It’s not important anymore.”
Ethan softly muttered, “Okay,” then released the paper, his grip so tight that I saw blood seeping from his fingertips.
He suddenly dropped to his knees and
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slapped himself frantically. I watched coldly.
He kept repeating, “I’m sorry.”
I averted my gaze, grabbed Nathan, and stopped him from watching. “Let’s go, Nathan.”
Adam held the umbrella as Nathan stuck close to him.
“Adam, can you come to my parent–teacher meeting?”
I saw Ethan following us, silently watching Nathan.
The rain soaked his hair. His eyes were filled with confusion and pain, but I didn’t look back as I turned away.
Once we were in the car, Nathan pressed his face against the window and suddenly said, “He’s still standing there.”
