Chapter 2: The man doesn't like women

1241 Words
Early in the morning, after his exercise routine, Calvin settled on the sofa to watch the morning news. He maintained an exceptional level of self-discipline: regardless of how late he retired the night before, he always rose at the same time each morning to exercise, have breakfast, and catch up on the news, following a rigorously scheduled routine. However, this morning was different—Selina had not yet appeared downstairs even after the news had ended. Without making any noise, Calvin headed upstairs to change his clothes. As he passed Selina’s room, he shot a cool glance at her firmly closed door. Her words from the previous night flashed through his mind, stirring a flicker of displeasure. He quickly changed and hurried back downstairs. With a stern expression, he took his place at the dining table and instructed in a soft voice, "Ask Mrs. Calvin to come down for breakfast." Emma, the maid, approached hesitantly, her voice a low, stumbling whisper, "Sir, Mrs. Calvin isn’t here. She left this in her room." That morning, Emma had received a message from Mrs. Calvin to deliver the documents from her room to Calvin. Several times, she had wanted to approach him while he was engrossed in the news but had refrained. Now, seizing the opportunity, she handed over the delicate document. "What is this?" Calvin's curiosity piqued as he noticed Emma's nervous demeanor. He took the document from her, and the words "Divorce Agreement" stood out starkly. The already frosty man's face darkened further, yet a mocking smile played at the corners of his mouth. Feeling the sudden drop in the dining room’s atmosphere, Emma quickly retreated to the kitchen. Calvin scanned the document with near-speed reading efficiency. When his eyes landed on the section about the division of property, a derisive laugh escaped him, his eyes shimmering with scorn. "She can't even fake it convincingly." She was claiming none of his assets—essentially leaving with nothing. Such a proposal clearly lacked sincerity. Considering her usual interest in his wealth, how could she possibly agree to leave with nothing? However, his smirk faded as he read the stated reason for the divorce. It read simply, "The man's s****l orientation is uncertain, rendering him unable to sustain a normal marital relationship, leading to the breakdown of the marriage." Even though the document was not earnest, being described in such a manner by that woman darkened his mood completely, turning his irritation into a thin, cold smile. Calvin picked up his phone and dialed Selina’s number. "Hello?" came her languid voice from the other end. "Selina, what is this about?" Feeling Calvin's anger through the phone, Selina hesitated. She knew he only used that suppressed tone when he was furious. But with the divorce pending, his mood was the least of her concerns. "Didn’t I make myself clear last night? Do you still not understand, Calvin?" Her voice, now cold and unfamiliar, even carried a hint of disdain. Holding the crumpled papers tightly in his hand, Calvin’s voice was icy yet tinged with anger, "I’m asking about the reason for the divorce." Selina paused for a moment, then responded with a hint of laughter in her voice, "After all these years of sleeping separately, you only touch me when you're drunk—a few times a year at most. Then you act as if you've touched something vile and rush to clean yourself. Shouldn’t I have doubts?" It was hard to believe these harsh words were coming from the typically gentle Selina. Calvin’s grip tightened, his veins standing out as he maintained his composed but authoritative tone, "Come back and take this trash away, or you’ll face the consequences." Selina inhaled deeply, her voice soft yet resolute, "Calvin, I'll face the consequences. Just sign it. Let’s set a time to finalize everything. Holding the title of Mrs. Calvin has held you back long enough." "Whatever." His voice was cold, devoid of any warmth. Dropping those two words, Calvin hung up, disinterested in prolonging the theatricals. Relieved by his response, Selina chuckled to herself. After five cautious years by his side, she had failed to warm his heart; it was time to end things. She whispered to herself, "Selina, once you walk away, never look back." Lying in her small apartment, free from accommodating someone else’s habits or worrying about his well-being, her life felt as peaceful as the days before her father’s death when she would wait for her mother to wake her. Those were days of genuine contentment. She had purchased this apartment while preparing the divorce agreement. Though it was a modest two-bedroom, it was hers, bought with her own money, and she felt truly at peace. This was a relaxation she hadn't experienced in a long time. Lying lazily in bed, staring at the ceiling, she drifted back to sleep, waking only in the afternoon. She had planned to have dinner with Hilary that evening, but Hilary canceled last minute due to work. Unbothered, Selina spent the evening wandering the mall—shopping, eating, and relishing her newfound freedom. At night, in the stylish black-and-white themed office, Calvin sat elegantly at his desk, quietly reviewing documents. The sudden ringing of the phone broke the silence. He casually answered, and an excited voice came through, "Calvin, guess who I ran into tonight?" "Just say it if you want to talk." Calvin massaged his temples, his voice carrying its usual chill and clear disinterest. Luther, familiar with his temperament and knowing he might hang up any moment, hurriedly delivered his news. "Your wife," Luther said meaningfully, "She was alone, seemed in good spirits. Hey, quite a few were trying to chat her up." Calvin’s pen paused, his voice becoming subdued, "If my investments don’t meet expectations this year, I’m pulling out next year." Growing up together, Luther knew exactly what that meant—Calvin was critiquing his idleness. Luther, aiming to irritate him further, quipped, "Your money's enough for several lifetimes. Are you planning to have your son burn it with you when you die? Just a friendly reminder, bro—while you're busy earning, others might be busy spending. One day you might find yourself greener than you’d like." With that, Luther quickly hung up, not giving Calvin a chance to retort. After the call, Calvin clenched the pen in his hand, his eyes turning frosty. A dismissive smirk then crossed his lips as he returned his gaze to the documents, composing himself. After finishing his paperwork and a video meeting that lasted over an hour, he returned home around ten o'clock. The dark and silent house felt uncomfortable—he disliked having strangers at home, so Emma usually didn't stay overnight. In the past, no matter how late he returned, Selina would always leave a light on for him in the living room. This was the first time in five years that had not happened. Noticing her slippers by the shoe cabinet and recalling Luther's words, Calvin’s lips curled slightly, his eyes shadowed by a chill. After showering and settling in the study to read documents, he reached for his water cup only to find it empty. He disliked interruptions while working, yet Selina had often, perhaps inconsiderately, come in to refill his water, bring him milk, or offer fruit. Thinking of Selina, Calvin frowned. Just then, his phone inconveniently rang. Seeing the name on the screen, his frown deepened further.
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