novelxo Chapter 74
Chapter 74
All the couples who were here to get a divorce wore stony expres
Stella and Brian did not speak a word to one another. They stood side by side like a satiric portrait. They made a beautiful couple, but there was no denying the tension between them,
They stood in line for a while before it was finally their turn. They stepped forward and took up a seat
across from the court administrative staff.
The staffer handling divorce documents asked perfunctorily. “Are you here to petition for a divorce?”
“Yes,” Stella answered as she presented her identity card.
The staffer eyed them thoughtfully for a minute. “Now, why would a handsome couple like you want to
dissolve your marriage?”
Stella and Brian were the best–looking couple in the divorce section of the courthouse. The staffer also
thought Brian looked familiar, but he couldn’t quite put a finger on it.
Stella replied stoically, “Irreconcilable differences.”
“Very well. Did you bring the divorce papers?” the staffer asked.
“Yes,” Stella answered. She set the papers down on the desk and signed her name on the relevant pages.
After that, she slid them toward Brian and said, “Sign the papers, please.”
Brian glanced at the true copy of the settlement agreement. From the looks of it, Stella wanted nothing out of the divorce.
She even gave up Tarovian Terrace.
“You don’t want anything?” Brian asked.
“No,” Stella said quietly.
She had no right to demand anything.
Simon had defrauded Brian and manipulated him; she had no right to ask for or keep anything
Stella had originally wanted Tarovian Terrace so that she could return to where she used to live. But if
Brian had no intention of giving it up to her, she wasn’t going to fight for it.
She would rather leave the marriage with nothing.
Irritation flashed in Brian’s eyes as he asked emphatically, “Are you sure?”
“Lam.”
She said those two words with a smile.
Brian thought it was the most jarring smile he had ever seen. Growing sullen, he sneered, “Fine, then. At
least I won’t have to waste my time settling petty squabbles about marital assets.
“Thank you for saving me the trouble. At least you’re astute.”
With that, he signed his name with a flourish. He pressed the tip of the pen onto the paper so hard it was
wonder he didn’t rip a hole through it.
When Brian was done signing his name, Stella felt like he had used that pen to stab her in the heart.
She must love him more than he loved her if she was hurting this much.
Stella looked down to hide the sadness in her eyes as she handed the paperwork to the staffer.
The staffer registered their petition and declared, “All right, everything’s in the system. After the 30–day
cooling period, you may come and retrieve the court order.”
“Thank you,” Stella said as she kept her personal effects
Brian had already risen to his feet and left with his walker. He did not so much as spare her a second
glance.
Stella looked away from the harsh outline of his back and clasped her purse shut. She stood up and
smiled.
The divorce papers had been registered. Now, all she had to do was wait another 30 days before the
matter was finalized.
Once she had the court order that proclaimed her marriage dissolution, she could free Simon from prison.
Stella walked out of the courthouse.
Brian moved slowly on account of his injured leg. He stopped before the front steps of the courthouse:
with his injury, descending the steps was far harder than ascending them.
Stella pursed her lips. She went up to him and offered to give him a hand
However, Jessica beat her to it. She ran up to Brian and clutched his arm, saying, “Brian.”
Brian was surprised to see Jessica. “What are you doing here?”
Jessica replied gently, “Mrs. Foley told me you were getting divorced today. I came to make sure you’re all right.”
Brian looked behind Jessica’s shoulder and noticed Bernard at the bottom of the steps, staring in Stella’s direction.
Stella froze when she saw Jessica and Bernard.
“Brian, you’re hurt. Let me help you,” Jessica insisted as she kept her hold on Brian.
Brian’s gaze flickered to Stella. He stared at her as if assessing the emotions in her eyes.
Stella didn’t falter. She even flashed him a smile.
Brian pursed his lips and turned to Jessica. “Hold my arm.”
Surprise and delight crossed Jessica’s face when she heard this. She clutched his arm and helped him
down the steps.
She and Brian made a handsome couple.
At that moment, Stella’s mind went blank. She wasn’t sure how she made it down the steps, but when she
reached the bottom, all she wanted to do was leave.
“Stella, Jessica called out to her, pinning her with a meaningful look. “Stella, you came in Brian’s car, didn’t you? Would you like us to drop you home on our way back?”
Stella scanned Jessica’s face. For some reason, she thought Jessica’s smile looked smug.
Then again, Jessica was allowed to be happy. She could officially be with Brian now that he had divorced
Stella,
“No, thanks,” Stella said flippantly, withdrawing her gaze.
“I can drop you off,” Bernard offered as he approached Stella. He held up his car keys between his slender fingers and gave Stella a triumphant smile.
Stella cast a sidelong glance at him before breaking into a smile. “All right.”
She had a score to settle with him anyway.