“Karimba, what is this... what is this about??”
With a trembling hand, Alley Houston holds a piece of paper. Her eyes are red, filled with tears, as she looks at Karimba Cellon with a mixture of shock and sorrow.
Alley was a gentle young woman with a strong inner resolve. She cherished life and always gave her best in everything she did. Alley was forgiving and compassionate, embracing whatever came her way with a readiness to face it. She maintained an optimistic and positive outlook. Despite her cheerful demeanor, Alley had a troubled past. Harsh family circumstances had forced her into a marriage with Karimba Cellon as an escape. But now he wanted to abandon her. She was bewildered, as she didn't know what she had done wrong over the past three years.
Karimba Cellon sighs helplessly, glancing at the paper in Alley Houston's hand but avoiding looking at her tear-stained face. She had been by his side for the past three years, a constant presence.
"I've already signed it," Karimba replies, his gaze fixed on the divorce papers. "It's time for us to move on." He averts his eyes from her.
In truth, Karimba Cellon is exhausted as well. Everyone has their limits when it comes to endurance. Moreover, his marriage to Alley Houston was never based on love. He is tired, so tired.
"But why? Please, tell me why! What have I done?" Alley Houston cannot accept being abandoned in this moment. She cries out, tears streaming down her face.
"Alley, stop! This is where we should end. Don't you see that nothing you do is right?" Karimba Cellon growls, struggling to control his anger, at least not physically harming his wife.
"What have I done? I did nothing wrong. Over the past three years, I have taken care of everything in this household, I have cared for you, and I have loved you with all my heart, even though I knew you would never love me. And now, you want to leave?" Alley Houston clings to Karimba Cellon's arm, her gaze fixed on him, her voice trembling with a pleading tone.
Karimba Cellon can barely contain himself. He stands tall, looking at his petite, beautiful, and pitiful wife, and he utters words that pierce Alley Houston's heart:
"Because you're insane! Because there's something wrong with you, don't you understand? You're crazy, uncontrollable, and you do things that no one can accept!"
Alley Houston stands frozen, gradually letting go of her grip, her gaze locked on Karimba Cellon for a long moment. The space between them becomes ominously silent. Suddenly, a glint of hatred and madness fills Alley Houston's eyes. She laughs bitterly, a laughter mixed with pain and resentment. Her smile distorts the pain and resentment in her eyes.
Here we go again! Karimba Cellon sighs, feeling an intense hatred towards the woman standing before him. He doesn't love her, and he has endured enough over the past three years. Now, all he wants is to be free from this situation.
"You're starting again, for heaven's sake! Alley Houston, hear my plea: leave this place. I can't bear to live with you anymore. Over the past three years, I have fulfilled all my obligations towards your family, both in duty and financial support. It's all drained now, don't you understand?"
Karimba Cellon pleads, but each word and sentence carries an underlying anger that is hard to suppress. Alley Houston remains unchanged, staring at him intently, defiance in her red eyes, her smile still tinged with sadness and mockery.
"Do you want to abandon me? Don't my parents mean anything to your family? Have you forgotten?" Alley Houston screams, as if exerting all her strength to hold onto the man before her. She loves him so deeply, never having done anything to harm him in the past three years, let alone strain their families' relationship or bring shame. So why is he determined to abandon her in the end?
"Because I don't love you. I hate you, and I can't bury myself with you for the rest of my life!" Karimba Cellon glares at Alley Houston, exhaling a heavy sigh before continuing, "Let's not say anymore, sign the papers and set each other free!"
Tears well up in Alley Houston's eyes, her smile still carrying a touch of bitterness and madness. She steps closer to Karimba Cellon, gritting her teeth as she speaks, "I won't agree! I will do everything in my power to hold onto this marriage!"
Without waiting for Karimba Cellon's response, she coldly tears the pre-signed divorce papers in one corner and walks away. Karimba Cellon sighs deeply, feeling a sudden coldness and desolation in his back as he watches Alley Houston's retreating figure.
Reng!
The phone vibrates, interrupting Karimba Cellon's thoughts. He glances at the screen and recognizes the familiar number. Karimba Cellon takes a deep breath and answers the call.
"Hey, Karimba, why did you take so long to pick up?" A sweet voice comes from the other end, slightly sulking, mixed with a hint of annoyance.
The voice tickles Karimba Cellon's ears, soothing him slightly. He exhales and responds politely, "I had some matters to attend to. You're still awake? It's late!"
Karimba Cellon's voice carries tenderness and gentleness, causing the girl on the other end of the line to blush and feel a mix of shyness and delight.
"Oh, you never understand! I miss you so much that I can't sleep, big brother!" she playfully complains.
Karimba Cellon chuckles. This girl is always so adorable, a complete contrast to his wife, who is unstable and unpredictable. He replies softly, "Yes, I miss you a lot too. I hope you come back soon."
Hearing Karimba Cellon's warm tone, Brenda Mclean, the girl on the other end of the line, becomes even more delighted. A fleeting smile on her lips transforms into a strangely sinister expression. Without much time to contemplate, she lowers her voice, sounding both coquettish and pitiful.
"I can come back, but... lately, Alley doesn't seem to like me. It makes things difficult for you when we see each other."
Brenda's words cause Karimba Cellon to feel a twinge of regret and unease. Initially, Brenda Mclean and Alley Houston had a good relationship, but over time, Alley Houston became increasingly inscrutable and exhibited peculiar behavior, leaving Brenda Mclean fearful. She had approached Karimba Cellon on multiple occasions, recounting her troubles and shedding tears, making it challenging for Karimba Cellon to defend his wife.
Taking a deep breath, Karimba Cellon softly responds to Brenda Mclean:"Don't overthink it. Just come back safely. You're flying down to City K tomorrow, right? I'll arrange for someone to pick you up."Karimba Cellon doesn't want to continue this headache-inducing conversation. He gently hints at wanting to pick up Brenda Mclean himself. Brenda Mclean actually wants Karimba Cellon to personally pick her up, but being someone who knows when to advance and when to retreat, she replies in a soft voice:"I can manage to go home on my own. But... if you're so kind-hearted, I'll accept your offer!"Accompanying her sweet words is a tinkling laughter. Karimba Cellon also chuckles, asking a few more questions before hanging up the phone.Outside Karimba Cellon's room, Alley Houston sits crouched on the floor, tears flowing before they have a chance to dry. She had just brought that divorce document into the room to meet him, but before she could even cling onto him, he was already engaged in
Alley Houston refuses to stop. She speaks while casting a sharp, disdainful glance at Brenda Mclean, then reaches out to grab the silky, chestnut hair of the beautiful woman standing beside Karimba Cellon, resembling an angel. Brenda Mclean is caught off guard, her eyes flash with anger, but considering Karimba Cellon standing right beside her, she immediately shouts and tears start streaming down her face."Alley Houston, what are you doing? Let go!"Karimba Cellon shouts, disregarding the curious gazes of the people around him, and rushes to grab Alley Houston's delicate arm. Meanwhile, Brenda Mclean sobs and pleads:"Ms. Alley Houston, you've misunderstood. Karimba and I are just friends. I understand he is divorcing you, and I reluctantly accepted it for the sake of Karimba. But I beg you, don't make things difficult for Karimba anymore, I beg you! If you feel so bad now, just hit me, insult me, do whatever you want to me, but don’t hurt him, please…"How could Karimba Cellon not
Alley Houston drives home, crying as she goes. She doesn't know what to do to keep Karimba Cellon by her side. In reality, love is not the only reason that makes her cling desperately to him.While on her way back, Alley suddenly sees a familiar figure buying food on the roadside. She hits the brakes, quickly wipes away her tears, and opens the car door to step out.Seeing Alley rushing towards her, Taylor Kindsley is slightly taken aback. It has only been a few days, but Alley looks disheveled beyond recognition. Her eyes are deeply sunken, her skin pale, and her body appears frail and lifeless. All of this indicates the extent of Alley Houston's despair following her divorce with Karimba Cellon. Taylor Kindsley doesn't know what to say, so she forces a smile."Alley, what a coincidence," Taylor Kindsley says.Alley Houston breathes heavily, then gazes intently at Taylor Kindsley, her expression extremely disheveled. Alley pulls Taylor Kindsley aside to a less crowded corner of a caf
Karimba Cellon lowers himself onto the comfortable and spacious bed, his eyes wandering up to the ceiling. Deep hollows in his eyes reveal fatigue and sleeplessness. He stares intently at the pristine white ceiling, his mind lost in a haze, unable to drift into sleep.Three years, in the blink of an eye, three years have passed. Karimba Cellon is also unsure how someone like him has spent three years living with a stranger like Alley Houston. At first, it was perhaps fear and disgust that consumed him, but gradually he learned to coexist under one roof with her. Alley Houston is unlike those beautiful and seductive models who always try to surround and entice Karimba Cellon. She is simple and gentle, always maintaining an appropriate distance that makes him feel unrestricted.Karimba Cellon always thinks that, regardless of the circumstances, they are still husband and wife. Even though it's just a nominal relationship, Alley Houston isn't bad to him, and he won't mistreat her. Over t
Alley Houston has secretly stayed at Taylor Kindsley home for two days before the breaking up between her and Karimba Cellon has reached Mr. Shayne Houston and Mrs. Mary Houston - Alley’s parents. They quickly arrive at the modest apartment of Taylor Kindsley, just as the two sisters are having their meal.“Mom, dad… Why are you here?”“Sir, Madam…”Alley Houston và Taylor Kindsley lập tức buông đũa, đứng dậy rồi cúi chào ông Houston và bà Houston. Khuôn mặt hai cô gái trẻ đều biểu lộ sự bất ngờ xen lẫn sợ sệt. bà Houston cũng không nhiều lời, thong thả đi về phía Alley Houston rồi vung tay tát lên mặt cô một cái.Alley Houston and Taylor Kindsley immediately drop their chopsticks, stand up, and greet Mr. Houston and Mrs. Houston. Their faces display a mixture of surprise and fear. Mrs. Houston doesn't say much either, calmly walks towards Alley Houston, and then slaps on her face.Slap!The sound of the slap reverberates, leaving Alley Houston stunned and staggering. Taylor Kindsley
The threats from Mr. Shayne Houston and Mrs. Mary Houston only strengthen Alley Houston's determination to hold onto her marriage with Karimba Cellon. Deep down, Alley Houston knows that Karimba Cellon is not a cold-hearted or indifferent person, nor is he someone who doesn't appreciate what he has. There is no major conflict or irreconcilable hatred between her and him, and the Cellon family and the Vũ family are business partners. Alley Houston believes that if she persists and is sincere, Karimba Cellon will open his heart and accept her once again.Feeling encouraged by her own positive thoughts, Alley Houston dials Karimba Cellon's number and gives him a call. At that moment, Karimba Cellon is entertaining guests at a luxurious restaurant, accompanied by an elegant and dignified woman."Who's calling?" Mrs. Janet Cellon, Karimba Cellon's stepmother, glances at the phone screen with sharp eyes and speaks in a cold tone.Karimba Cellon doesn't look at her, as if the woman has nothi
As soon as Alley Houston catches sight of Brenda Mclean's figure, her heart aches. The previous incident at the hospital remains an unhealed wound for her. Initially, Alley Houston came here because of the threat from her parents, but as soon as she sees Brenda Mclean inside Karimba Cellon's house, she is completely consumed by jealousy and heartache. That drives her to step inside the mansion.Janet Cellon speaks while glancing towards the gate. Following Janet Cellon's gaze, Brenda Mclean notices a familiar figure standing outside."Alley Houston? What is she doing here?"Brenda Mclean glares at Alley Houston, her sharp gaze filled with a hint of hatred, much to Janet Cellon's satisfaction."Why is she here? Holding onto Karimba, isn't she?"
Alley Houston is shocked as she looks at Janet Cellon, even Brenda Mclean can't hold back her tears."Aunt, what are you doing? Are you crazy?""Be quiet! If I let that despicable woman stay in the Houston family, you will suffer. I will seek justice tenfold for you."Janet Cellon whispers into Brenda Mclean's ear and continues to wail. Brenda Mclean suddenly understands something and joins in the chaotic crying. Alley Houston stands still, staring at the two aunt and niece who are acting out their own drama. She gasps in fear and unease. She knows something terrible is about to happen, so she plans to leave as soon as possible.At that moment..."Alley Houston, what kind of madness is this?"