I Left My Loveless Marriage for Love

Chapter 2

My friend was fast.

Before long, she sent over the divorce agreement via email.

When printed out, it formed a thick stack of pages.

I began to pack my things quietly and calmly.

Over those three years, there were barely any items that truly belonged to me... almost everything I owned fit into a single suitcase.

He still had not come home, and his phone remained unreachable.

With no other choice, I took the divorce agreement and went straight to his office building.

The receptionist and several long-time employees recognized me, and I saw their expressions grow subtly awkward and uneasy.

Outside his private office, I was stopped by his assistant.

"Mrs. Voss, the President is not here right now..."

The assistant's voice was unsteady, and she avoided meeting my eyes.

"But I can see someone is inside," I said.

The assistant hesitated, then stepped closer and lowered her voice, speaking with a faint tone of pity.

"That person... is the new personal secretary appointed by the President, Ms. Moreau... Her office is set up directly inside the President's private suite." She then added, "She holds a very senior position, and she and the President... come and go everywhere together."

I followed the direction of her gaze.

Through the narrow gaps in the office blinds, I saw the scene inside.

The woman in the room wore bold, bright lipstick and had long, curly hair that fell like a waterfall over her shoulders.

I recognized her instantly. She was the first love from his past, Margaux Moreau.

The woman looked across the room and met my eyes through the slats.

She froze for a fraction of a second, then lifted the corners of her mouth in a knowing, confident smile.

She stood up slowly, walked to the door, and pulled it open.

"Mrs. Voss? Are you here looking for Cassiel? He is busy right now, perhaps... we could talk instead?"

I looked at her steadily.

"What is there for us to discuss?"

Margaux raised an eyebrow.

"Why put on such an act?" she said with a faint smile, crossing her arms as she looked at me calmly.

"I know exactly why you're here. Cassiel has told me everything."

She continued casually, "It is just some old history from years ago. He helps me now simply because I ran into some difficulties at work. He is just being kind to an old alumna."

She lifted her chin slightly and added with a hint of impatience, "You really must not read too much into it."

I cut her off and stated my purpose clearly.

"I'm here to ask for a divorce."

Margaux laughed as if she had heard something very amusing. She looked me up and down with a mocking gaze.

"A divorce? Lorelai, everyone knows how wildly in love you were with him once... you would have done anything to keep him by your side. Coming here to tell me you want a divorce now... are you trying to test me, or are you just hoping he will come and beg you to stay?"

I had no wish to speak further with her. I took the printed agreement from my bag and held it out.

"Ms. Moreau, since you seem to speak for him, please ask him to sign this document."

Margaux smiled and took the paper readily.

"Very well, I will see that he gets it."

Just then, my husband, Cassiel Voss, appeared at the end of the corridor. He had clearly just finished a meeting.

Margaux immediately walked toward him, her expression bright and playful, her voice softening considerably.

She held out the paper and a pen, speaking in a sweet, teasing tone.

"Cassiel, could you sign this for me? I am feeling a little unwell and want to take leave. I need your official approval, you know."

Cassiel did not even glance at the content of the document. He took the pen naturally and signed his name directly across the page.

"Take as much time as you need. All this formal paperwork is unnecessary." Margaux shook his arm gently, acting coy.

"Rules are still rules, you know."

I watched the whole scene, and it felt bitterly ironic.

The end of our three-year marriage had been decided casually, merely as part of a playful request from the woman he had first loved.

Only after he had finished signing did Cassiel seem to notice me standing there.

When he saw me, his face hardened instantly.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, his brows furrowing as he looked at me with irritation.

"Following me all the way to the office?" He let out a cold laugh and shook his head. "Are you still making a fuss over that trivial matter? Have you not had enough?"

A hint of arrogance flashed across his eyes as he stepped closer and said, "Or have you come here to beg me to come back home?"

"I'm here to take back something that belongs to me," I said, my voice completely flat and calm.

He looked confused. "What thing?"

"On our wedding day, my mother climbed up a mountain, kneeling and bowing every step of the way, to pray for a pair of jade pendants meant to keep us safe and healthy. I still have mine at home. I want you to give yours back to me."

The jade was not expensive or rare, but it was the last blessing my mother had arranged for me before she passed away.

Cassiel's expression shifted when he heard this. At his side, Margaux suddenly let out a soft exclamation of surprise.

I saw a perfectly practiced look of shock and regret cross her face. She pulled the collar of her blouse slightly to one side, revealing a familiar jade pendant resting against her neck.

"Lorelai, my dear, is this what you mean?" Her tone was innocent and apologetic.

"I am so terribly sorry... I saw Cassiel wearing it before, and I remarked how beautiful it was. He took it off right away and gave it to me... I had no idea it was a keepsake left by your mother."

She paused, glancing briefly at Cassiel. "Though you are right... it really is quite special. Since I have worn it, I feel my luck has improved greatly."