Chapter 3

Mabel's phone rang persistently, and she finally answered it. Her expression changed drastically, and she immediately slammed on the brakes.

I was completely caught off guard and lurched forward, immediately hitting my forehead against the dashboard.

"Dusty, I have an emergency I need to tend to at the company," Mabel said anxiously to me. "Can you go back home by yourself?"

I looked at the comments before me.

[I'm going to puke. How many times is Mabel going to use the company as an excuse?]

[It's clearly Clyde who called her and lied about being in a car accident. That's why she's anxious to rush over at once.]

Clyde again.

A sharp, numbing pain shot through my heart.

Mabel became increasingly agitated when I wasn't responding. She got out of the car and opened my door instead.

"It's very urgent. I need to go and take care of it now so I can go on the trip with you without any worries. Be good and listen to me, Dusty."

She didn't seem to notice at all that there was a large bump on my forehead. I did my best to keep my tears at bay, refusing to let them fall, as I got out of the car.

"Go, then."

My voice was choked with emotion, betraying my current state of mind.

But Mabel had already impatiently gone back to the driver's seat. She slammed the door shut, started the engine, and sped off."

I watched her car quickly merge into traffic and disappear, and my tears finally fell.

It began to drizzle. Perhaps even the heavens were weeping over the death of our ten-year love story.

I walked back home through the rain, letting the downpour disguise the sorrowful tears on my face.

Mabel didn't come home that night. She just sent me a text message saying that she had to go on a last-minute business trip for two days, but she would definitely be back by the evening before our trip, and we'd then fly off to Prancera together.

I had nothing to say about her lies anymore. Instead, I spent the next two days packing up everything in the villa that belonged to me.

As for the 99 love letters she wrote to me, the first gift she bought me with her first paycheck, and the vows we wrote to each other during our wedding night… They used to be things that I cherished with my life, but now, they belonged only in the trash.

Two days later, half the villa was empty. I sat on the couch with the divorce agreement in hand, waiting for Mabel to come home.

Instead, I got a test message from Clyde.

"Let's meet up, Dustin Wright."

…

We met up at Bluescott Cafe.

Clyde looked flashy, dressed like a peacock. He was also wearing the diamond watch and sapphire cufflinks that Mabel bought for me days ago.

He looked smug and arrogant as he gloated, "Mabes said that I suited them better than you."

I stirred the coffee in my mug and remained calm. "You do know that these items are considered marital assets, right? I can always make you return them anytime I want."

Clyde froze. Then, he said, "What's the point of holding on to an empty title as Mabel's husband, Dustin? How long has it even been since the last time she slept with you?

"Have you ever thought that maybe she's already sick of you? You'd better disappear from her life if you know what's best for you. Make way for someone else instead."

I looked at Clyde and grinned. "Sure. I'll make way for you. Go and tell Mabel now that I'll be waiting for her here with a divorce agreement. I dare you."

Clyde fell silent once again.

I knew that he'd never have the guts to do it. He only dared to provoke me behind Mabel's back.

I had to admit that he was young and naive, and anyone could see through his thoughts almost immediately. Yet, his youthful physique and stamina were undoubtedly what had attracted Mabel in the first place.

I got up and left, but not before giving him one last piece of advice.

"Nobody can stay young forever, but there will always be someone younger. Since you've already slept with her, you should try getting more out of her while you still can instead of being so stupid as to provoke me now."

The comments that appeared before me were full of cheers and praise.

[Dustin's right! He's the male lead! He doesn't have to care about competing with others!]

[Hurry up and leave, Dustin! I can't wait to see Mabel crawling back to you on her knees, begging you to come back!]

When I got home, I placed the signed divorce agreement on the table, grabbed my packed suitcases, and took a cab straight to the airport.

This was my goodbye to Mabel and the ten years we shared together.