ManyWriters

Damien and I had been together for nine years, during which we divorced ten times.
The eleventh time, he was helping his mistress pick out an engagement ring.
"The young lady is pregnant, so we're putting on a show. Eight months from now, I'll remarry you."
"In the meantime, move out. I'll have meals delivered to you three times a day."
"Also, go get a postpartum care certification. Serenity is delicate and can't handle the hardships of childcare."
I held the divorce papers, nodding obediently.
As I was about to leave, I overheard his friend mocking him.
"Damien, you're something else. You've practically trained your sister-in-law to be a dog."
Damien boasted proudly, "That's nothing. Melody is such a cheap whore."
"Even if I don't remarry her, she'd still willingly help me raise the kid as my mistress."
I remained silent, quietly sending a message to the man on the other end of my phone.
"Got the divorce papers. When can we get married?"

Gentle Dissolution

"It's not safe for you to move out alone this late at night. Let's talk about it in the morning. Remember to bring some sugar-free breakfast to the hospital before you leave. She's pregnant and picky about food."


I ignored Damien's orders and dragged my suitcase back to my room.


When I woke up, I had two messages on my phone.


"It's going to rain. You're not fully recovered yet, so don't rush to move out. Stay home and rest. No need to bring food, I'm taking Serenity to the rooftop garden for lunch."


After nine years of marriage, this was the first time Damien had ever informed me of his plans.


It was also the first time he'd ever shown concern for me.


After a final check of my luggage, I prepared to leave.


Just as I walked out the front door, I suddenly saw Damien getting out of his Ferrari, his face full of rage.


He glowered at me and slapped me hard across the face.


"You bitch! Acting all virtuous in front of me, then running to tattle to Grandpa, convincing him to cancel my cards."


"I was supposed to rent out a whole venue to propose to Serenity today. You've made me lose face!""From today on, don't even think about remarrying me or stepping foot in the Harrington family's house again!"


Even after saying this, my Damien wasn't satisfied.


He forcefully kicked my suitcase, smashing it before throwing it into the swimming pool.


I watched as the dowry my parents had carefully prepared for me became soaked.


Ignoring my buzzing head, I dove right in.


My unhealed wounds quickly reopened and bled, staining the water red.


By the time I had retrieved all my belongings,


My entire body was swollen, and my skin was so pale it looked lifeless.


Serenity pretended to offer me a towel,


But her hand violently twisted into my wound.


"You think you can rest easy just because Mr. Harrington has your back? Damien loves me, and I'll be the only Mrs. Harrington!"


"We're getting our marriage license this afternoon. You can cry over your divorce papers!"


I lay gasping at the edge of the pool, in too much pain to utter a word.


Damien spat at me before leaving with his arm around Serenity.


A kind passerby took me to the hospital.


During this time, Serenity kept sending me taunting messages.I stepped into the elevator, my heart pounding with a mix of excitement and nervousness. As the doors closed, I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the mirrored walls. Despite the turmoil of recent events, I looked surprisingly composed.


The elevator ascended smoothly, each floor bringing me closer to a pivotal moment in my life. I clutched my purse tightly, feeling the weight of the documents inside - the keys to my freedom and future.


When I was in a car accident, Damien hung up on my desperate call for help. He was busy attending a concert with Serenity.


When I was ousted from the Harrington family board for leaking documents, it was Damien paving the way for Serenity.


The company, the villa, even the Harrington and Shaw families' ancestral home.


Damien took Serenity to sleep in every corner of this city.


I knew she was trying to make me give up hope.


What she didn't know was that I had long since fallen out of love with Damien.


I turned off my phone and headed to the civil affairs bureau alone.


The man I had been dreaming of was already waiting for me.


He handed me the marriage certificate, reverently slipping the diamond ring onto my finger.


"I'll go get the car to take you home."


No sooner had he left than Damien walked in arm-in-arm with Serenity.


"Melody, I told you I won't remarry you. Stop pestering me."


"You misunderstand. I'm not here to pester you, because..."


I didn't want to hear Damien's accusations anymore.


I silently held up the marriage certificate in my hand.


Chapter 5