Chapter 761
Back then, her heart was closed off, and it was his warmth that melted her defenses and allowed her to open up. But now, the man who once brought her warmth was ready to let her go, ready to give up on their love.
Donald took a deep breath and shook his head. “This just isn’t working anymore. Maybe we both need to calm down. Let’s file the application first. Then there’s a thirty-day cooling-off period for the divorce. If either of us regrets it, we can call it off at any time.”
With that, he turned and walked out. “I’ll be waiting for you in the car downstairs.”
“I’m not getting a divorce!” Jennifer cried out, completely losing control. “I will never, ever divorce you, not in this lifetime.”
“I’ll be downstairs waiting,” Donald said again, letting out a helpless sigh.
‘He left… He really didn’t want me anymore,’ Jennifer thought, feeling utterly drained. Then she collapsed to the floor. A mix of bitterness, frustration, and sorrow overwhelmed her, tightening around her chest and making it hard to breathe.
Donald waited downstairs for over half an hour until Jennifer finally got into the passenger seat.
She looked at Donald, her gaze carrying a hint of stubborn challenge. “I want you to be the one who files for the divorce, and I want you to be the one who cancels it, too.”
Donald tightened his grip on the steering wheel. He thought maybe this thirty-day cooling-off period was exactly what they needed. They both needed time to cool off.
When they arrived at the courthouse, a couple who had just gotten their marriage certificate walked right past Jennifer.
Her eyes turned red in an instant, stinging with unshed tears. Seeing that happy couple was like catching a glimpse of herself and Donald back when everything was still good.
She remembered Donald once saying, “Jennifer, this is amazing. From today on, you’re my legal wife. I promise I’ll treat you well for a lifetime. I love you, and I’ll love you forever.”
Tears soaked Jennifer’s eyes as she glanced at Donald, who was standing beside her. The pain inside her was so sharp that it felt like her heart was being torn apart.
“What service are you here for?” the clerk asked.
“Hello, we’re here to file for a divorce,” Donald said.
“Alright, please queue to the right and proceed with the formalities,” the clerk replied.
There were a few other couples ahead of them in line, all there to call it quits. They glared at each other like sworn enemies. But unlike them, Jennifer still had deep feelings for Donald.
When it was finally their turn, Donald handed over their marriage certificate and ID cards.
“Are you both sure you want to proceed with the divorce?” the clerk asked.
“Yes, we’re sure,” Donald answered for both of them, never once looking at Jennifer.
“Alright,” the clerk said. “From today, there’s a thirty-day cooling-off period. If either of you changes your mind during that time, you can come back to cancel the divorce application.”
“Got it,” Donald said, snatching up his ID and walking past Jennifer. His eyes were red, and he wasn’t the only one fighting back tears.
Once they left the courthouse, Donald turned to Jennifer and said, “I’ll be heading back to my hometown for the next few days. I’ll stay with my dad.”
Jennifer let out a bitter, helpless smile. ‘So now we can’t even sleep in the same bed anymore?’ she thought.
“Donald, let me say this one more time,” Jennifer said. “You said we need time to cool off. Fine, but I want you to be the one to come back and cancel the divorce application. Now, I have nothing left in my life except you.”
“I left you the house, didn’t I?” Donald replied.
“You really think I care about that house?” Jennifer shot back. She got married for love, not for a house.
“Let’s both just cool off for a while,” Donald said with his head in his hands, and he never once met Jennifer’s eyes.
Jennifer took a deep breath, turned, and walked away.
Only then did Donald look at her back and then turn to leave as well.
Starting today, the two of them would walk separate paths.