He was as handsome and elegant as ever, even though she had not met him for a few days. This
was especially true for his long, perfect pair of legs-it appeared that he had recovered very well, with no residual effects to be seen.
Joanna breathed a sigh of relief. At last, she could relax a little.
If it turned out that he was suffering from some hidden illness, she might just be held responsible for it. Consequently, she would not be able to get a divorce.
Joanna pinned the strands of her hair and cleared her throat. She felt that she should greet him, given that they were a couple. It was better to part on good terms.
She waved her hand at him and revealed a fake smile that she thought looked very natural. "Hi"
However, he pursed his thin lips tightly and wore a cold face. He ignored her and strode away with his stork-like legs. He left… just like that.
This left her at a loss for words.
Her smile stiffened, and she felt both awkward and angry.
'Damn! Why is he so arrogant?' she thought. 'Even if we're no longer a couple, I wiped his body clean for a few days. Does he have to make it so unpleasant?'
Joanna quickened her steps and followed him, walking toward the divorce department on the second floor.
The crowd that was seeking divorce turned out to be as large as before, but there were only around four or five couples at the marriage registration counter today.
Joanna could not help as a pang of sentimentality hit her hard. As expected, people nowadays had thought things through. The marriage system would eventually fade away.
Ace managed to get into an express lane, thanks to his special identity.
The staff was very flattering. After he accepted their relevant documents, he poured them a drink and politely asked them to wait.
Hence, they sat side by side in silence. The atmosphere was filled with a peculiar, almost palpable tension.
Joanna put the paper cup to her mouth and sipped on the warm water as a barrage of convoluted feelings swirled in her chest.
She was about to get a divorce certificate, meaning she would no longer have any relationship with him.
If they had a tacit understanding, they might never see each other again, just like the past three days, disappearing completely from each other's world.
She had seen it through, and she had long let go, but she failed to stop a sudden wave of sorrow from engulfing her. It got worse when she thought of the two babies in her belly. Their lives would be lacking from the moment they were born. They would never have a father.
She began to wonder if her children would blame her for being reckless and selfish when they grew up.
"I should tell him about the babies…" persuaded a ceaseless voice in her mind.
"If we're no longer married, would it be perfect for us if we could raise the kids peacefully?"
"But if I tell him at this moment, will he think that I'm trying to manipulate the kids to emotionally blackmail him? Will he not take responsibility for them and mock me in the end?"
"After all, he feels nothing for me. He's got Alice now. Alice's child is the one he hopes for, isn't it?"
Amid the conflicted feelings that crashed into her like blur waves, she almost crushed the paper cup.
"Are you going to remarry?"
Ace suddenly coldly raised a question.
"Cough-cough!"
Joanna choked as she looked at him with confusion.
What the hell?
Ace's composed face and deadpan look were laced with indescribable detachment. "Will you marry Liam?"
She widened her eyes exaggeratedly, and she became even more baffled. "Why ask?"
Ace made no reply, and he wore an expression that she failed to decipher. He then said slowly, "As your ex-husband, whoever you'll marry has nothing to do with me. However, I must give you a friendly reminder. Liam isn't the right guy for you. He's not suited for you."
Joanna found his words rather strange. She could not tell if he was giving a sincere suggestion or just trying to mock her.
"Then will you marry Alice?" she immediately retorted.
However, she regretted it the moment she raised that question.
The answer was clear. She was just embarrassing herself.
"I want to give you a friendly reminder, too," she insisted stubbornly in an attempt to retrieve some of her dignity. "Alice isn't the right woman for you. Let's not talk about her character; the moment she heard that you'd be paralyzed forever, the disdain on her face was obvious. It's destined that you guys can share happiness but not sorrow. She only loves the bright and perfect you, not for who you truly are."
Ace said calmly and lightly, "It's not important whether she loves me or not. I just want the child to be safe and happy."
"Mr. Moran. You're awesome. Now that's true love!"
Joanna was deeply hurt. She felt so ashamed and awkward that she could not show herself.
Humph! Did he love Alice so much that he didn't care if she loved him, as long as their child was happy?
Suddenly, Joanna felt lucky that she wasn't impetuous and told him that she was pregnant. She would've been greatly embarrassed if she did.
After all, the product of love was a great treasure. On the other hand, the product of lust would be but a burden.
Who would want a burden?
The staff waved them over. They signed the document and took a photograph before he stamped the divorce agreement with a seal.
"Mr. Moran, Miss Pierce, the procedure is complete. You're no longer legally married from now on. This is your divorce certificate. Please keep it well."
Joanna accepted it and lowered her eyes, sizing the document up carefully.
The legendary divorce certificate had a red cover, but its color was duller than that of the marriage certificate. Besides, the couple's photograph became a photograph with only a single person.
She suddenly recalled that she had once seen a divorce certificate. There was a saying on it that went: 'It's a valuable treasure to get married, but if you come across disputes and misunderstandings, they should be resolved amicably. Never hate each other but part on good terms.'
"Goodbye!"
Joanna waved him goodbye. She had never felt so relaxed.
At last, it was over. The three-year marriage was both unfortunate and lucky.
She had loved, and she had hated, but she never regretted meeting him and becoming his wife.
Thus, she hoped that they could cease hating each other and part on good terms.
She had just walked out of the city hall when she got a call from Old Mr. Moran.
"Joan, I heard that you and Ace have returned from your trip abroad. I've recovered well after the surgery. You and Ace should come home to eat with me. I miss you guys so much."
"I…"
Joanna heard Old Mr. Moran's enthusiastic and kind voice, and the convoluted feelings returned.
He treated her as his granddaughter during these years, and his love for her never diminished.
Now she had gotten a divorce, so it meant that she no longer had a relationship with him. Besides, she never even bid him a proper goodbye, making her feel slightly bad about herself.
After hesitating for a few seconds, she said obediently, "Okay, Grandpa. I'll come over and see you later."
To patch up her lie, she headed to a nearby supermarket that sold imported goods and bought some specialties.
Standing majestic like a castle, Moran Residence was as magnificent as it always looked.
"Young Miss, here you are. Old Mr. Moran is in his study, and he's been waiting for you. You can head right there!"
Unlike the snobby servants at the Moran Villa, the servants of Moran Residence treated her with much enthusiasm and amicability, thanks to Old Mr. Moran.
Joanna walked along the long corridor and arrived at the old man's study.
The old man was writing before the desk. When he saw that she was here, he broke into a smile. "Joan, come here. I have something for you."