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All Chapters of The Shape of Goodbye: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

10 Chapters

Chapter 1

On Valentine's Day, while I was sorting through paperwork, a sharp tap sounded against the service window in front of me."Jenna, don't be mad. It was just a dare."I looked up and saw my fiance of five years, Chase Mitchell.Standing beside him was his close friend, Ariya Holland. She had her arm wrapped affectionately around his, wearing a man's white shirt that was obviously too big for her.I recognized it immediately. It was the birthday present I'd given Chase the week before.Chase slid two IDs through the window, wearing an ingratiating smile. "We lost a game, and the punishment was to get married to Ariya for one day. Don't worry. We'll come back first thing tomorrow morning and get divorced."Ariya leaned against Chase's shoulder, laughing so hard she could barely contain herself. The provocation in her eyes was impossible to miss. "Jenna, you wouldn't be so petty as to refuse to process our marriage, would you?"We're practically siblings. It's all just a joke. You're

Chapter 2

I handed over the completed application form, my voice perfectly steady.Chase took it and stared at me for several seconds, apparently hoping to find even the slightest sign that I'd been hurt, but he found nothing.I simply met his gaze calmly and even offered a thoughtful reminder, "Make sure you smile in the photos. After all, it's a wedding."When they returned with their freshly printed marriage certificate photo, I took it from them.My eyes lingered on the photo, where Ariya leaned against Chase with a painfully happy smile. Then I reached for the official stamp on my desk.Thump!The stamp came down firmly on their marriage paperwork.I handed their newly issued marriage certificate back to them and said in my usual professional tone, "Congratulations to you both. Happy wedding day."When I opened the door, the apartment was pitch-black.Chase's shoes were missing from the entryway. The house slippers I'd prepared for him were still sitting neatly beside the door. He

Chapter 3

As I packed the nightstand, I spotted the matching mugs we'd picked out together.Without hesitation, I put mine into the suitcase. As for Chase's, I left it for him and Ariya to use.I finished packing quickly. Half the wardrobe was empty, and the vanity table had been stripped bare. Piece by piece, every trace of me in that home was erased.My phone lit up again. A message from Chase appeared."Jenna, don't overthink things. I'm out celebrating with the guys. I'll be home later. You were so calm today that I thought you really didn't care. Tomorrow, after I divorce Ariya, I'll explain everything properly."I stared at the message without replying.He couldn't even be bothered to call me.I opened our conversation, tapped the menu in the upper-right corner, and deleted it without hesitation.Finally, some peace and quiet.Dragging my suitcase to the door, I took one last look at the place I'd once believed would be my home for the rest of my life. I had decorated every corner

Chapter 4

That night, I sat alone in the cold infusion chair in the emergency room, watching the IV fluid drip down one drop at a time.With every drop, my heart grew a little colder.From that day on, I understood that an insurmountable wall had long stood between Chase and me, and Ariya was right in the middle of it.All my compromises and silent endurance meant nothing to them. They thought they were simply entitled to them.As the tide of memories receded, I finally shut the door behind me.The cold night wind blew against my face.Chase still hadn't sent another message or made another phone call. Perhaps, in the world he shared with Ariya, I, his fiancee, had long since become insignificant.I pulled my suitcase along without looking back.'Goodbye, Chase. And I hope you enjoy your newlywed life.'The next morning, the county clerk's office had barely opened when Chase and Ariya arrived.Neither of them had bothered to make themselves presentable. Their hair was disheveled, and e

Chapter 5

Ariya's face drained of color in an instant. She shrieked, "Six months? Are you kidding me?""I'm not kidding, Ms. Holland." I pushed the document a little closer to her and pointed to the clause printed on the page. "It's right here in black and white. This regulation applies nationwide. It's the law."Chase glared at me, his eyes practically spitting fire. He slammed his hand down on the desk with a deafening bang. "Jenna! You did this on purpose, you fucking snake!"I slowly raised my eyes to meet his furious gaze. The smile on my lips didn't waver. If anything, it deepened."Mr. Mitchell, please watch your language. I'll say it again: This is a county office. We follow the regulations."If, after six months, you still wish to get divorced," I paused, enunciating every word, "you're welcome to come back."The hall fell deathly silent.Chase's hand remained pressed against the desk, his knuckles white from the force.Ariya's carefully made-up face twisted almost beyond recogn

Chapter 6

"You two," I said, tapping the desk to get their attention. "If there's nothing else, please leave. Other couples are waiting to be helped."Chase gave me a long look, his expression too complicated to read. There was anger, disbelief, and even a trace of... regret?No. I had to be imagining it.He snatched the marriage certificate off the desk and strode away. Ariya hurried after him in her heels. I could faintly hear her calling, "Chase! Wait for me..."I lowered my head and continued processing the next couple's registration."Congratulations to you both. I wish you a happy marriage." My voice remained as warm and professional as ever.But this time, I truly meant it.The news that Chase and Ariya were trapped in a six-month waiting period spread through our mutual circle like wildfire.At first, Ariya complained in a small group chat, crying that Jenna Baldwin was abusing her position to get revenge and deliberately preventing them from divorcing. But someone soon shared a

Chapter 7

At 5:10, Chase texted me: "I've been waiting at the coffee shop for an hour."I didn't reply.At 5:30, he sent another message: "Jenna, is this really the end of us?"I still didn't reply.At six, he called again. I silenced my phone and shoved it into my bag.Megan looked at me and suddenly said, "Jenna, you know what? There's something incredibly attractive about you right now."I laughed. "Come on. Dinner's on me. Let's celebrate my new life."By the sixth week of being forced to remain tied to each other, the tension between Chase and Ariya finally erupted.I heard about it from our mutual friend, Ethan Parker. He invited me to dinner, looking troubled."Chase and Ariya have been fighting like crazy," Ethan said, cutting into his steak without meeting my eyes. "I heard Ariya moved into Chase's house?"I nodded. "They're legally married during the cooling-off period. It's perfectly normal for them to live together.""But..." Ethan hesitated. "Jenna, are you really not bot

Chapter 8

Things were looking really good. Three months later, the process improvements I'd proposed for the county clerk's office were approved by the county government and implemented countywide. As a result, I was promoted to deputy director of the office.On the day my appointment was announced, the director of the county clerk's office, Robert Hayes, clapped me on the shoulder. "I knew you had it in you, Jenna! Young and accomplished!"My colleagues insisted I treat everyone to a meal. I agreed with a smile and booked a table at a nice restaurant near the office.We were chatting happily over dinner when my phone rang. It was Megan."Jenna! I've got huge news!" Her voice was so excited she nearly shrieked. "Ariya's pregnant!"I froze for a second, then calmly asked, "Is it Chase's?""Who else could it be? She's already two months along!" Megan rattled on. "Their families are fighting like crazy. The Hollands are demanding that Chase take responsibility and marry her right away. The

Chapter 9

"Whether I believe you doesn't matter," I said. "What matters is that the child is your responsibility.""If..." His voice suddenly grew urgent. "If I take care of everything, divorce Ariya, and pay child support, do you think there's still a chance for us?"I stood on my balcony, looking down at the children playing in the park below. The sunset had painted the sky a soft shade of peach and pink, and the gentle breeze carried the scent of gardenias."Chase," I said softly, "do you remember what you told me when we first got together?""What?""You said you'd always protect me and never let me suffer." I smiled faintly. "But in the end, you were the person who hurt me the most.""I...""Tomorrow, when you two come in to file for divorce, I'll handle everything according to procedure," I continued. "But I won't be the one processing your case. I'll have my coworker, Carly, take care of it.""Jenna, do you really not want to see me that badly?""It's not that I don't want to," I

Chapter 10

Chase Mitchell.He had lost a lot of weight. He wore a simple shirt and slacks, and he was holding the hand of a little girl who looked about three or four. She had big eyes and two little pigtails. She was adorable."This is..." I looked at him in surprise."My daughter, Mia Mitchel," Chase spoke softly. "Ariya gave birth to her. She... suffered from severe postpartum depression, left Mia with me, and moved abroad."I crouched down and smiled at the little girl. "Hello there."She shyly hid behind Chase."Jenna, I..." Chase trailed off.I stood and shook my head. "You don't have to say anything. It's all in the past.""I saw the news. Congratulations," he said sincerely."Thank you." I checked my watch. "I have a meeting, so I need to go.""Jenna," he called after me. "If... and I mean, if I become a good enough person someday, could we...""Chase," I interrupted, my gaze calm. "Look over there at the gardenias."He followed my gaze to the flower beds outside the conventio

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