Chapter 8
Jessica’s world shattered in that instant.
She saw the doctor’s mouth moving but couldn’t hear any sound.
All she heard was a sharp ringing in her ears and the thundering of blood rushing to her temples.
She staggered toward the gurney covered with a white sheet, her trembling fingers grasping the edge of the fabric, suddenly losing the courage to pull it back.
It wasn’t until cold tears fell on the back of her hand that she finally yanked away the sheet-
Her grandma’s peaceful face came into view, but she would never again show Jessica that kind smile.
“Grandma…” she choked, tears falling onto the elderly’s cold face. “It’s me, Jessica… look at me…”
“Wake up, please wake up. Didn’t you say… you wanted to see my baby? Don’t leave me, you’re all I have!”
Maxwell stood nearby, his eyes flashing rare guilt.
He was about to step forward when Olivia suddenly cried out “Ah!” and collapsed to the floor.
“My ankle… it hurts so much…” she looked up at Maxwell with tear–filled eyes, appearing utterly pitiful.
Maxwell hesitated.
He looked at Jessica, who was crying to the point of near–collapse, then at the teary–eyed Olivia, and ultimately turned toward Olivia.
“I’ll take Olivia to see a doctor first,” his voice was soft, yet it pierced Jessica’s already shattered heart like an icy pick. “You… wait for
me a moment.”
Jessica didn’t respond.
She just held her grandma’s gradually cooling body tightly crying as heartbreakingly as a child abandoned by the entire world.
Medical staff in the corridor all had reddened eyes, some turning away to wipe their tears.
While Maxwell, he simply carried Olivia, walking step by step out of her sight.
She cried until she could barely breathe, finally blacking out.
When she regained consciousness, Maxwell was unexpectedly by her bedside.
“I’ve arranged everything for your grandma’s funeral,” his voice was low. “I chose the best cemetery in the suburbs for her grave. The
funeral…”
“Get out,” Jessica interrupted him, her voice hoarse.
Maxwell frowned. “Jessica, don’t be unreasonable. This was just an accident. I’ve already done my best to make amends.”
Jessica didn’t speak again. She threw back the covers and got out of bed.
Her movements were slow, as if all strength had been drained from her.
On the day of the funeral, a gentle rain fell.
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His ‘Harmless‘ 10–Year Fling? My Secret Divorce Papers Say Goodbye Forever!
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Chapter 8
Jessica stood before the grave, rainwater mixing with tears streaming down her face.
When the last handful of soil fell, her legs weakened, and she nearly collapsed to the ground.
A pair of hands caught her just in time.
“Don’t touch me,” Jessica violently shook off Maxwell’s hands.
Maxwell’s expression darkened. “How long are you going to keep this up?”
He grabbed her wrist. I’ve canceled all my work these past few days to be with you. I’ve arranged your grandma’s funeral perfectly. What more do you want from me?”
Jessica looked up at him, her gaze hollow. “I want you to stay away from me.”
Maxwell took a deep breath. “Fine, since you’re so ungrateful, I’ll go be with Olivia now.”
“Go ahead.” Jessica suddenly smiled. “You’ve always wanted me to be generous. Now I’m giving you what you want.”
Maxwell paused, then showed a satisfied expression. “I’m glad you understand.”
“I promised you I’d return to the family after ten years, to spend the rest of our lives together. So for these ten years, stop making a fuss. I don’t have time to console you every day.”
As he walked away, his steps were light, as if a burden had been lifted.
Jessica watched his retreating figure, a bitter smile playing on her lips.
She would never take him back.
Let him spend the rest of his life with Olivia.
In the following days, Maxwell didn’t come home at all.
Jessica didn’t care, quietly packing her final belongings.
The night before her departure, Maxwell unexpectedly returned.
“Maxwell,” she called to him, her voice calm. “Tomorrow at ten, I have a big gift for you.”
She paused. “Meet me at the court entrance. We’ll pick it up together.”
Maxwell looked puzzled. “You’re giving me a gift? What’s the occasion?”
The housekeeper couldn’t help interjecting: “Sir, tomorrow is your wedding anniversary.”
The air suddenly stilled.
Maxwell’s expression momentarily faltered/and Jessica froze as well.
So tomorrow was their wedding anniversary.
Once, Maxwell would start preparing surprises a month in advance–writing cards by hand, customizing unique gifts, taking her to the place of their first date to relive old memories.
And she would prepare with equal care–learning to cook his favorite dishes, staying up late to knit a scarf even when her fingers were pricked painfully by needles.
But now, they had both forgotten.
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His ‘Harmless‘ 10–Year Fling? My Secret Divorce Papers Say Goodbye Forever!
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Chapter 8
Just like this marriage, long overdue for oblivion.
Maxwell cleared his throat. “Alright, see you at the court.”
The next morning when Jessica woke up, Maxwell was already gone.
She calmly went about her morning routine, changing into a simple white shirt and jeans, taking one last look around the home once filled with memories.
Then, she picked up her suitcase and took a taxi to the court.
At nine–fifty, she received the divorce certificate.
At ten o’clock sharp, Maxwell hadn’t appeared.
At ten past ten, she dialed his number.
It rang for a long time before being answered, Maxwell’s voice impatient: “I’m a bit busy right now, I can’t make it. Just bring that ‘big gift home.”
He was about to hang up when Olivia’s coquettish voice came through the phone: “Mr. Reed, this necklace is so beautiful! I can’t believe you remembered even the anniversary of when we first met…”
Jessica’s lips curled in mockery.
So that was it.
She hung up, hired a courier to deliver the divorce certificate to the mansion, then deleted all contact information for both Maxwell and Olivia before taking a taxi to the airport.
In the airport terminal, the announcement sounded: “Flight CA937 to London is now boarding…”
Jessica picked up her suitcase and walked toward the gate without looking back.
Behind her, everything that belonged to Maxwell, along with that divorce certificate, had completely become part of her past.
This time, she was finally free!
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