With that, I pocketed my phone, ready to leave. Elara, however, grabbed my leg, pleading pitifully. “Alex… don’t go, please stay with
me? I feel so awful right now. I’m an orphan now…”
I looked down. At some point, tears had begun streaming down her face. But I felt no pity for her, only a chilling sense of despair. I
unceremoniously pulled my leg free, stepping back two paces, and stared at her.
“Elara, you killed your parents. All this guilt and sorrow you feel now, you’ve earned it.‘
7
“When you go back, remember to meet me at the courthouse to finalize the divorce. Don’t forget, you’ve already signed the papers.”
#turned and walked away. I hadn’t taken more than a few steps when Elara burst into a heartbroken wail at the graveside, a cry so
raw and gut–wrenching. My steps faltered for a moment, then quickened. Her joys and sorrows, from the moment she sold me
overseas, ceased to be any concern of mine.
Back in the city, I immersed myself in my disaster prediction work. As for Elara, the agency had already terminated her employme-
nt; she wouldn’t be returning.
After work one day, she was waiting for me outside. Seeing her, I immediately asked, “When do you want to go to the courthouse?”
Her face froze, and it took her several seconds to reply, “Alex, where have you moved? Please, come back?”
I replied coldly, “No need, Elara. We’re getting divorced, remember?”
She actually hugged me, right there in front of several people. “Alex, please don’t leave me! I only have you left now!”
How I used to yearn for her embrace. Now, I felt only repulsion. I forcefully broke free, putting distance between us, and looked at
her, indifferent. “No, you still have Chris.”
She shook her head wildly, her voice bordering on hysterical. “He doesn’t deserve me! If it weren’t for him, my parents wouldn’t have
died! I’m sick to my stomach just looking at him!”
See? Elara always found a way to blame others for her mistakes.
I replied calmly, “Whatever, Elara. All I want now is to divorce you.”
She stared at me blankly, then after a long moment, pleaded, “Can we… can we have one last meal together?”
I nodded.
We went to the restaurant we used to frequent. The table was laden with my favorite dishes, but I had no appetite. I simply sat there, silently confronting Elara.
She gave a bitter laugh. “You really don’t love me anymore.”
I didn’t answer.
At that moment, Chris suddenly burst in. “Elara! Didn’t you say you were divorcing Alex? What are you two doing?!”
