I Left, and Now He Can’t Live Without Me

Chapter 3 The Divorce

He was immediately taken aback, his hand instinctively reaching up to cover his neck. He hadn't expected Lila to be so bold, to leave a mark on him like that, and for me to catch him red-handed.

In my mind, I could already picture them tangled together. I had thought I had long since stopped caring, but the pain still hit me. I barely managed to steady myself against the table, feeling the world spin around me.

Ethan was still scrambling, desperately trying to cover up his actions with a pathetic excuse. "This... this is just from being so tired lately. I went to see a masseuse last night, and I didn't expect the pressure to be so strong..."

Even he knew how ridiculous his excuse was, but he had no choice. For a moment, I actually felt sorry for him—having to lie in front of someone he didn't even love. I took out the divorce papers from my bag and placed them on the table.

Looking at the shock in his eyes, I spoke slowly, each word cutting through the silence. "Ethan, I know exactly where you were and what you did last night. Let's get a divorce."

Downstairs, the street was bustling with cars and people.

As soon as I stepped outside the building, Ethan grabbed me, pulling me back inside. He ripped the divorce papers to shreds, his eyes bloodshot with rage. "What do you mean by this? Just because I haven't been home for a few days, you want a divorce? Can't you understand how hard I work? I'm out all day, and when I come home, I have to put up with you!"

He couldn't believe I was actually bold enough to ask for a divorce. In his world, if I left him, I'd be worthless, a person who wouldn't even be able to survive on her own.

I just smiled. "You're miserable with me, and I'm miserable with you. So, let's separate. We'll both be free, and neither of us will interfere with the other."

He grabbed my wrist with a vicious grip, his words coming through clenched teeth. "Is this your new tactic? Trying to get my attention? You're my wife now—what else do you want? I told you, there's nothing between me and her! If there was, why wouldn't I have been with her from the start?"

I shrugged indifferently. "It's got nothing to do with me. I'm getting a divorce. Do whatever you want with her. But if you keep harassing me, I'll call the cops. Let go of me."

There was an unyielding coldness in my tone, a determination that left no room for argument. I didn't even spare him a glance. When his hand touched me, I immediately took out a disinfecting wipe from my bag and cleaned the spot where he had touched. I didn't try to hide my disgust.

Ethan stood frozen, watching me as I wiped my wrist, a strange look in his eyes. It was as though something inside him had broken. His panic started to show. He could see the plea and the sadness in my eyes, as if my leaving was something he couldn't bear.

If I hadn't seen the photo of him at another woman's house last night, I might have hesitated.

'It's strange,' I thought. 'He doesn't love me. Divorce should be a relief for him, not something that causes him so much pain. Or has he really allowed himself to feel something for me during all this time pretending to love me?'

Downstairs, people had started to recognize him. "Mr. Stewart? What are you doing here?"

Ethan awkwardly cleared his throat a few times. "I'm just discussing some things with my wife."

When he saw me, he motioned for me to speak on his behalf, just like before. But we were getting a divorce now. I had no obligation to protect his image in front of others. I snorted coldly, grabbed my bag, and walked away without a second glance.

He started bombarding me with calls. After I blocked him, he began calling from different numbers. Even the driver up front kept throwing me curious looks.

At my wit's end, I finally answered the phone. Before he could speak, I quickly said, "Stop calling me. If you contact me again, I'll have my lawyer handle it. From the day we got married, we should never see each other again. Ethan, just like your actions, you disgust me. I don't ever want to see you again."

I hung up before he could say another word. He didn't call back. Finally, the world was quiet again.

When I went to move my things out, Ethan still hadn't returned. I ran my fingers over the familiar furniture, feeling a pang of reluctance in my chest.

It wasn't the house itself I was attached to. It was the memories—the way the place had been decorated, every piece of furniture chosen by me. This was my home, my haven. But now, I had to say goodbye to everything here.

Actually, I didn't have much stuff. Most of it was Ethan's—his clothes stuffed into every drawer, while I only had a few lonely skirts. From the outside, our relationship had seemed perfect, but the reality of our married life was something only I truly understood.

A husband who never came home at night, and a wife waiting desperately at home, was never going to make a happy home.

Suddenly, I heard the voices of Ethan and Lila from outside the door. It came so unexpectedly, I didn't have time to hide. Fortunately, they didn't come in but stood outside, talking.

I could clearly hear Lila's voice, sultry and accusing. "If she wants a divorce, then just agree to it. That way, we can be together openly! Didn't you say marrying me was your dream for life? Were you lying to me?"

The request for a divorce had only just been made, and Ethan hadn't even signed the papers yet. But Lila was already eagerly planning her next move.

Lila was truly cunning. Ethan let out a helpless sigh, and through the peephole, I saw him raise his hand to pat Lila's head. "What are you talking about? She's not going to divorce me. She loves me too much. She's just throwing a little tantrum because of our issues. It won't be long before she comes back to me. You just wait. I'll make sure to give you a proper title."

During this time, I had blocked all of Ethan's social media accounts and phone numbers. My lawyer had reached out to him several times, but he always refused to communicate, unwilling to sign the divorce papers.

In this relationship, it was him who didn't want the divorce. He could feel that I was serious, that I really wanted to leave. Although he spoke with confidence, there was a fleeting moment of discomfort in his expression.

Lila pouted, clearly displeased. "You still like her, don't you?"

Ethan opened his mouth, as if to deny it, but the words stuck in his throat. There were too many memories here in this house—memories of us together. Maybe elsewhere, he could lie, but here, he couldn't bring himself to say anything dishonest.

I didn't want to hear them bicker any longer. I opened the door and walked out, dragging my things behind me. They didn't expect me to be there, and their expressions changed in an instant. Especially Ethan's, who immediately realized what I was doing when he saw the suitcase in my hand.

Ignoring Lila, who was fuming behind him, Ethan rushed over and grabbed my wrist, trying to explain. "Don't misunderstand. I just don't want to hurt her feelings. We're not getting a divorce. I know I've been wrong, just give me some time. I'll cut all ties with her, and we'll have a good life together. Please, don't do this."

Tears welled up in his eyes, and his pleading tone reminded me of when we first started dating. Back then, he had worn the same sincere look as he tricked me into this prison of a relationship, watching me fall deeper and deeper for him, until I couldn't live without him, only for him to push me away.

But that was in the past. I wasn't going to turn back now. I shook off his hand and smiled politely. "Mr. Stewart, I think you're mistaken. We're already divorced. Your new girlfriend is waiting for you upstairs. Don't keep her waiting."

He didn't expect my decision to be so firm, and for a moment, he didn't know how to respond. Seizing the opportunity, I grabbed my suitcase and walked out. I never wanted to get tangled up in this mess again.

Men are so strange. When I gave him my whole heart, he sneered and disregarded it. He would stay out all night, never considering my feelings.

Now that I had made up my mind to leave him, he was pulling out every trick in the book to win me back.