Chapter 8

A few days later was Alyssa and Hendrix's wedding anniversary. Knowing she had been in low spirits lately, Hendrix didn't throw the usual celebration. Instead, he cooked an entire spread of her favorite dishes himself. "I remember you once saying that your dad's barbecued ribs were the best. I secretly practiced for three months. Give it a try," he said, placing a piece on her plate. Alyssa cut a piece and put it into her mouth mechanically. The rib was sweet and tangy, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. It really did taste like Paul's cooking. "Is it good?" Hendrix's eyes lit up like a child waiting to be praised. Alyssa set down her cutlery and said blandly, "Yes. Thank you." The smile on Hendrix's face froze momentarily, but he quickly composed himself. He went on, "There's another important gift I want to give you. Wait here." Just as he turned to go to the bedroom, his phone rang. He answered it, and whatever was said on the other end made his expression change. A minute later, he grabbed his coat and walked up to her while saying, "Alyssa, something happened to Nicole. I have to go and check on her. I'll be back soon. I'll give you your gift when I return, okay?" Alyssa took a sip of water and said impassively, "Go ahead." Relieved, Hendrix kissed her gently on the forehead and hurried out the door with his car key. As the door closed behind him, Alyssa glanced at the clock on the wall. It was 8:15 pm Less than ten hours remained until the divorce cooling-off period ended. Alyssa got up and cleared the table. She dumped all the dishes that were practically untouched into the trash. At 11:00 pm, her phone rang with a call from Nicole. As Nicole's choked voice came through, it was somewhat frantic yet unmistakably laced with triumph. "Alyssa, Hendrix was stabbed over a dozen times while protecting me… He's in surgery now. He cares about me… so much. You should come see him." Leaning against the headboard, Alyssa flipped through her passport and plane ticket. She replied nonchalantly, "I don't think there's any need for that. Since he got hurt for you, you should take good care of him." With that, she hung up. Wasting no time, she turned off the lights and got ready to sleep. However, her phone kept buzzing incessantly. Hendrix's friends were calling her one after another. "Hendrix is seriously injured, Alyssa! He kept calling out for you." "He got hurt saving Nicole, but you're the only one he holds dear in his heart!" "Don't be jealous and petty now. Just come to the hospital!" Alyssa blocked all the numbers. At 3:00 am, the door to her bedroom slammed open. Hendrix stumbled in, drenched in blood. The bandages on his chest were completely soaked through. He staggered toward her and collapsed into her arms. The scent of blood flooded the room. His voice was hoarse and broken as he rasped, "Alyssa, why didn't you come see me? I'm your husband… I almost died… Don't you care at all?" His grip on her was tight, painful. Yet, Alyssa didn't struggle at all. She replied icily, "You were injured protecting Nicole. That has nothing to do with me." Hendrix froze for a second and clung to her even tighter. "I risked my life for her. This time, the debt's almost repaid…" His lips brushed against her ear, his breath burning hot. "Don't be mad, please. I swear, even if she dies in front of me, I'll never leave you again… If I do, I'll be cursed to die a horrible death—" "There's no need to make oaths or anything," Alyssa interrupted in a calm voice. His promises never meant anything. But Hendrix mistook her dismissive tone for tenderness. His pale face lit up with joy. "You believe me? Then, come with me to the hospital, please? My wound hurts," Hendrix pleaded. "I caught a cold. Go back and take care of yourself." Alyssa declined, pushing him away. He opened his mouth to say more, but the door burst open again. Nicole rushed in, her face blanching at the sight of them together. "Hendrix!" she cried, trying to grab his hand. "You just got out of surgery. How could you discharge yourself? Look at you! Your wound has reopened! You could die! Please come back to the hospital with me." Sweating from the pain, Hendrix shoved her hand away and staggered toward the wardrobe. He reached into the back and pulled out a silk nightgown Alyssa often wore. It still carried the lingering scent of jasmine. "I'm taking this, Alyssa." He looked at her, eyes full of quiet pleading. "When you're feeling better, come to the hospital, okay?" Alyssa smiled wanly. Hendrix had no idea that by tomorrow, she'd be gone with the divorce certificate in hand. But to avoid unnecessary trouble, she nodded. After getting an affirmative response from her, Hendrix finally agreed to leave. As he got into the car, Alyssa stood at the door and watched the vehicle disappear into the distance. Only then did she softly utter her final words to him. "Farewell, Hendrix." … As soon as the courthouse opened, Alyssa was the first one to walk in. After verifying her documents, the clerk handed her two divorce certificates while saying, "Congratulations. Your marriage is officially dissolved." Alyssa smiled. In her heart, a long-awaited sense of liberation spread. She packaged Hendrix's copy neatly and sent it to him via courier. Then, she took a cab to the airport with all her luggage. People bustled in every direction. Pulling her suitcase along, Alyssa turned back for one last look at the city she had lived in for over 20 years. She then pulled out her phone and removed the SIM card. Without hesitation, she snapped it in half and dropped it into the trash can. As the boarding announcement echoed through the terminal, she walked toward security without looking back. She whispered, "Hendrix Ferguson, from now on, you don't get to be a part of my life… ever."