Lost Me Gained Regret

"Scared I'll regret it?" Bryant's voice carried a hint of sourness, "But I'm more scared of becoming a stranger to you."

It was freezing outside, but his embrace was as warm as it always had been. His words took me aback.

He had opened the car door for me when I returned to reality. After I got in, he turned and walked away without looking back.

Through the veil of the rain, I caught a glimpse of his drenched figure. It felt like my heart. was being gnawed away by millions of ants, growing emptier by the second.

It turned out that ending a marriage was that simple. The couple just needed to spare half an hour, head to the city hall, submit the paperwork, and sign a document. A month later, they would make another visit, and if both parties still agreed, they could get a divorce certificate.

Just like that, everything was severed. The shared beds and the mutual support seemed like nothing but a dream. Of course, all would happen, only if Bryant didn't go back on his word.

When I returned to Christine's place, she opened the door from inside before I could even reach for the keys.

She came to me. "Back already?"

"Yeah. I managed a light chuckle, trying to appear nonchalant.

She quietly watched me come in and shake off my shoes, then hesitantly said, "Bryant texted me. Did you guys go through with the divorce?"

"Sort of. We've filed for it. I'll pick up the divorce certificate in a month." I undressed my coat and grabbed a hair tie to pull my hair back casually. "Why would he text you?"

She hesitated before speaking, "He asked me to take good care of you this month."

"Thinks I'm going to jump off a bridge?" I said mockingly, "Tell him not to overthink it. Life. is going on without him."

"No, it's not that." Christine denied, frowning thoughtfully, "I just feel like there's more to his message. Could it be he's not wanting a divorce? Maybe he's just trying to appease you for now. After all, the divorce can't go through if one party withdraws the application during the cooling-off period."

"No way..." A lump formed in my throat. Could Bryant be having second thoughts? It was indeed his style.

But then, thinking of Margaret's baby, which would take a few more months before

arriving, even for her sake, Bryant wouldn't change his mind within this month. He had made his choice long ago. It was only me holding onto foolish hopes.

Exhausted, I headed for the shower. "I'm going to take a bath."

Christine asked with concern, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. It's just a divorce. That's what I want." I said.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

"That's good then." Christine closed the door behind me and added, "Get some rest after your bath. You hardly slept last night."

"Will do." I nodded with a smile, and as the door clicked shut, I slumped onto the toilet seat, bending over as tears streamed down.

I didn't want to cry. I had longed for the divorce. Shouldn't I be happy? Even though I hadn't received the divorce certificate yet, why did it feel like my heart ripped out, leaving a hollow void?

Perhaps feelings never heed to reason. And I didn't have many eight years that.

+ years to waste like

What made me feel even worse and guiltier was thinking of the child, who would grow up fatherless even before being born. Seeing other kids with their dads would surely make him sad.

To pull myself out of the misery swiftly, I immersed. d myself in mym work during my recovery. My design drafts couldn't wait any longer.

Once engrossed in work, one would forget everything else. The agony of working was enough to consume all one's energy.

I had redrawn my designs many times, never quite satisfied. It wasn't until the thought of Xaving a little bundle in my arms by the next Christmas suddenly sparked my inspiration!

I had just made a few strokes when my phone rang. It was from the Ferguson Mansion.

Worried it might be something a