Chapter 9

Willow wondered if Chad would feel even the slightest trace of regret if he knew her trip back home this time was to inform Kevin and Ellen about their divorce, and that it was their last moment together. She no longer anticipated his answer. Joseph's call came through. They had gotten closer due to her divorce matters. Willow answered the call, and Joseph's tone was light when he spoke. "We're all done with the paperwork. You just need to wait for another week, and then you'll be free for good." He paused slightly before casually asking, "Do you want to grab a bite? Just to celebrate you getting out of your misery." Willow chuckled and replied, "That can wait until I'm divorced for good." She ended the call and returned to the ward. Kevin was already awake. Although he was still looking a little pale, there was an unmistakable glint of determination in his gaze. He grabbed Willow's hands, his voice hoarse yet firm when he said, "You have to divorce Chad." She gently covered Kevin's hand with her own and softly replied, "I'm already in the middle of doing it, Dad." … Chad was busy helping Laurel settle into her new home in the final week before the divorce. He figured he could properly make it up to Willow once everything was settled. Meanwhile, Willow stayed with her parents. Looking at Kevin's graying hair and Ellen's fine lines at the corners of her eyes, she suddenly remembered that she was the daughter of the Stanford family, born into wealth and privilege. However, she'd abandoned her family business, willingly worked as his assistant, dealt with his trivial matters, and even endured his neglect over and over again—all for a man. Willow no longer returned to her marital home with Chad. Instead, she moved back to the Stanford residence. She gathered every photo, gift, and even the little trinkets he gave her offhandedly, packed them up, and got someone to send them back to his house. Willow then wrote a proper farewell letter—just like she had back in high school. She recalled how she never received any reply to her love letter back then. Similarly, she probably wouldn't get one for this farewell letter either. Willow handed in her resignation letter to Chad's company. After bidding goodbye to her parents, she boarded a plane and flew abroad for a vacation. Joseph called again, but she didn't pick up. Instead, she sent him a text: "Mr. Joseph Coleman, I'm only accepting applications for stay-at-home son-in-law for the Stanford family now. You don't qualify." … Chad only thought of going home after settling Laurel into her new home. He was still wondering how he'd coax Willow if she was upset on his way back. However, he wasn't at all too worried. After all, whenever he'd stood her up or broken a promise in the past, she'd at most throw a petty tantrum, then forgive him after a few days. But this time, Chad noticed something was off as soon as he stepped into the house. It was too quiet. He looked around and realized that everything belonging to Willow was now gone. Her slippers, mug—everything was gone. Chad's heart sank. He immediately pulled out his phone and called her, only to be greeted by a robotic voice. "The number you have dialed is currently unavailable."