Semua Bab The Divorce: Happy Birthday to Me: Bab 1 - Bab 10

I reached under the coffee table and pulled out the divorce papers I had prepared. My gaze fell on my fingers, which were slightly deformed from countless hours in the lab.I let out a carefree smile. I picked up my phone and called my mentor, Elias Vance."Dr. Vance, I was wondering if I still have a chance to get involved in that classified project you mentioned."There was a brief pause on the other end, then a voice came through, brimming with excitement."Of course there is! But this research is strictly confidential. Once you commit, you'll have to stay for at least five years. "Will your wife agree to that? Without you, the company you built together could take a serious hit."I signed the divorce papers, my voice unwavering as I said, "Dr. Vance, I'm getting divorced."A chorus of stunned gasps came through the line. To my surprise, they were from my lab mates."We've always known Keira was toxic. Liam, you lovesick fool! Now you finally see what a snake she really is,

"I can't wait for tomorrow's wedding. It'll be our perfect moment," Keira said, her voice filled with anticipation.Her words had barely left her lips before she turned and hurried off.I placed the divorce papers on her wedding dress and started packing my things. By tomorrow, I would be gone, and Keira would never see me again.Keira didn't come home that night, but I neither cared nor asked where she was.The next morning, the lab mate Elias had sent to pick me up arrived bright and early. Before leaving, I needed to make one last stop at Jarrett Group to grab the photo of Granny and me.After my parents divorced, Granny raised me single-handedly. That was the only photo we had together, and I couldn't leave it behind.The moment I walked into the office, I was met with a wave of strange looks from my colleagues. It wasn't until I reached my office that I finally understood the reason behind the tense atmosphere.Jackson was sitting in my chair, looking up at me with a challe

By 7:30 pm, Keira was getting restless. The church rental wasn't cheap, as it was billed by the minute. By 8:00 pm, her patience had worn thin. Even so, she forced herself to wait another half hour, reminding herself of everything I had done for the company. But there was still no sign of me.In a fit of rage, Keira grabbed her phone and dialed my number."Sorry, the number you've dialed is unavailable…"Keira called again and again, but all she heard was the same cold, mechanical apology.Little did she know I had already snapped my SIM card in half and tossed it away. There was no way she could get through.She switched to texting, but all the messages failed to send. Her bottled-up frustration finally boiled over.Seething, Keira hurled her phone to the floor. She then turned to the guests and announced that the wedding was off.Outsiders might have seen her outburst as the fury of a bride abandoned at the altar, but I knew better. Her rage was fueled entirely by her pride

Elias feigned offense. "Look at you, rascal! I missed you so much I came all the way to pick you up, and here you are, making fun of me."Elias' playful scolding helped ease the awkward tension lingering between Beatrice and me.Back in college, there had been a misunderstanding between me and Beatrice, who was Keira's roommate. I had planned to confess my feelings to Keira and asked someone to leave an envelope on her desk. I had invited Keira to meet me at the auditorium. I never expected the messenger to mix up the desks and leave the envelope on Beatrice's. As luck would have it, Beatrice showed up. Early, no less.At the time, I was halfway through reading my love letter. Since Keira's name only appeared at the very beginning, there was no way Beatrice could have known the confession was meant for Keira.After my long, rambling speech, I finally reached the end. "So, will you be my girlfriend?"Beatrice, standing right behind me, answered without hesitation. "Yes."Her

"I don't want a divorce, Liam." Keira pleaded, her voice desperate. "Can't you forgive me just this once? I'll change everything you're unhappy with. The company needs you, and I need you too."I looked at her pleading face, but felt nothing."When I needed you, you were with Jackson," I said coldly. "I don't love you anymore, and I'm done helping you. "If you keep following me, I'll call the police. I'm working for the state. I'm sure you know what the consequences of that would be."With that, I turned and strode away, unwilling to let anyone see the tears welling in my eyes.Over the ten years we were together, Keira had treated me with growing indifference. I made excuses for her, convincing myself she was just busy with work, only to find out she had cheated on me. My tolerance only left me with deeper wounds.Keira was dead set against the divorce. She petitioned the court, alleging she had signed the divorce papers against her will, bringing the divorce proceedings to a h