He Showed Her Marks, I Asked for Divorce

Chapter 4

Transfer procedures for the nursing home were completed quickly. Perhaps because Magnus had already made arrangements, the director was exceptionally cooperative with me.

His cautious attitude made me realize that Magnus had known all along that my mother was leaving, but he thought it was just another part of my tantrum.

The director said, "Long-distance flights may carry some risks, Mrs. Rowe. Are you sure you don't want to reconsider?"

"I'm Miss Frost, not Mrs. Rowe," I corrected him.

He awkwardly corrected himself. "Miss Frost, are you sure you don't want to wait for President Rowe to return so you can discuss it together?"

"No need."

My hand was steady as I signed the papers. For the first time in seven years, I was making a decision for my own life.

When my mother was wheeled out by the caregiver, she held my hand tightly, her eyes unusually clear. "Elara, where are we going?"

"To Berlin," I said. "We're going to see the churches there, the bridges there. Mom, didn't you say Dad's biggest dream when he was young was to visit the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin?"

She smiled, tears glistening at the corners of her eyes. "That's right, that's right. Your father loved those old stone buildings. He said every stone had a soul."

I tightened my grip on her hand.

Yes, a soul.

And during the seven years I spent by Magnus side, I had almost lost my own soul.

On the way to the airport, I received a call from Magnus.

His voice was hoarse from a hangover. "Where are you? I'll have the driver pick you up."

"At the airport," I replied.

There was silence on the other end for so long that I thought he had hung up.

Then came his low chuckle. "Elara, you're becoming more convincing with your act."

I calmly said, "Then enjoy the final performance."

"Wait..." His voice suddenly rose. "Are you really at the airport?"

"Magnus Rowe," I said, calling his full name for the first time. "Our divorce agreement was perfectly clear. I give up all property, and you give up all entanglement. Now, I'm simply keeping my promise."

"What promise? You fucking...." he cursed. "You're leaving with nothing? You're even abandoning your mother?"

"That's none of your business. We're even now," I replied.

He sounded like he had just heard the world's greatest joke. "Elara, seven years of your youth, and you're telling me we're even?"

Softly, I replied, "Yeah. Let's just say I wasted it on a dog."

I hung up the phone and blocked every possible way for him to contact me.

Outside the car window, the scenery of Vancouver sped past in reverse.

Leaning against the back seat, I closed my eyes.

Seven years ago, I had departed from this very place, filled with joy as I ran toward Magnus. I thought it was the beginning of love.

Seven years later, I was departing from here once again, leaving him behind with a heart as still as water.

I finally understood... This was the rebirth of myself.

In the waiting lounge, my mother sat quietly beside me, watching the planes take off and land beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows.

"Elara," she suddenly said, "that man with the surname Rowe... he won't come again, will he?"

"He won't," I answered.

She patted my hand gently. "That's good. Our Elara deserves someone better."

I lowered my head, and at last, my tears fell.

It turned out that what I needed was never his love, his money, or even his loyalty.

What I truly needed was someone to tell me the three words, 'you deserve better'.

And in the end, that person was myself.