Leona Grant parked not far away but lingered in his car.

He just sat there, staring blankly at her.

Though she was just a stone’s throw away, he missed her more than ever.

Annabelle Linton’s gaze landed on a young couple who had just received their marriage certificate.

The girl cradled the certificate, smiling shyly. She said with feigned complaint, "Oh, this photo turned out so ugly. It looks terrible."

"Now I’m angry." The boy ruffled his hair, put his arm around the girl and started walking. "I’ll have to smack that hand," he said childishly. "You’re not allowed to say bad things about my wife. My wife is the most beautiful."

The two of them burst out laughing.

Annabelle Linton watched them walk into the distance. Recalling the boy’s endearingly childish words, her lips curved into a small smile.

’Honestly... if I had the choice, I’d prefer someone a little more ordinary, too.’

’After going through so many storms, you start to realize that a peaceful life is what’s truly real.’

"If you want, we can get remarried."

Annabelle didn’t know when he’d appeared, but Leona Grant was now standing before her, his gaze sincere, vulnerable, and profound as he looked at her.

Annabelle Linton let out a sneer. "No, thanks. I think I’ll find someone else."

With that, she didn’t spare him another glance, pushing open the glass doors of the Civil Affairs Bureau and walking inside.

Leona Grant’s lips tightened. Her words, "I think I’ll find someone else," stabbed into his heart like a thorn.

’Just Aaron Wyatt alone was enough to drive him mad with jealousy—let alone other men!’

Leona Grant followed her inside and found Annabelle Linton already signing the papers.

The rims of his eyes were red, his gaze burning as he stared at her. "I refuse to get a divorce!" he declared, his tone a mix of petulance and anger.

Annabelle Linton lowered her gaze and kept filling out the form, ignoring him. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Leona Grant snatched the pen from her hand, throwing it aside with a CLACK. He grabbed her and turned her to face him. "Did you hear me, Annabelle Linton? I said I’m not getting a divorce!"

The commotion drew the attention of many people nearby. A staff member also stared at the two of them, completely bewildered.

’In all my years in this line of work, I’ve seen couples start brawling during divorce proceedings, but I’ve never seen someone refuse to go through with it like this.’

’Besides... men are usually the ruthless ones. Once they decide on a divorce, they go through with it. Showing up here means their minds are made up.’

’If there’s any desperate clinging and pleading, it’s usually the woman doing it. Why is it the other way around with this couple?’

’And the man is so handsome, too...’

’And also...’ she thought, looking at Annabelle Linton, ’why does this young woman look so familiar? I just can’t quite place her.’

"I don’t want a divorce," Leona Grant said sorrowfully, looking at Annabelle Linton. "You clearly loved me just a short while ago. How did everything change in the blink of an eye? Annabelle Linton, I don’t want a divorce. Give me one more chance. I promise I’ll treat you right from now on."

Annabelle Linton stared at him coldly, her expression screaming, ’What the fuck are you trying to pull now?’

Leona Grant reached out and grabbed her hand, his voice firm. "I’m not getting a divorce. I absolutely will not get a divorce. I know you’re angry with me. From now on, I won’t mind if you see other men, alright? Just... just don’t go out with him at night, okay?"

Instantly, the gazes of all the onlookers snapped toward Annabelle Linton. Their expressions accused her of being a two-faced schemer and an unfaithful wife. Some even began to whisper, their eyes filled with contempt.

Annabelle Linton: "..."

Her entire face darkened.

Annabelle Linton had no desire to explain herself. She took the agreement he was meant to sign, grabbed another pen, and set it down in front of him. "Sign it!" she said icily.

Leona Grant glanced at the agreement, then ripped it to shreds and scattered the pieces across the floor. "I refuse to get a divorce!"