Shi Che knew his mother well; Mrs. Shi was a woman with strong purpose. Every action she took had a motive.
When Ling Chuxia mentioned yesterday that his mother wanted them to return to the old house for a meal, he sensed that Ling Chuxia would encounter difficulties. Therefore, he agreed to accompany her back; after all, his mother wouldn’t make things too difficult with him present.
Little did he know, he would be held up by some business at the last minute. He informed Ling Chuxia, intending for her to wait for him. Unexpectedly, she went ahead alone. When Sister Hua called him, he was about to head to the conference room with documents in hand. Hearing that Ling Chuxia had already left, he frowned deeply, put down the papers, grabbed his wallet and car keys, and strode out.
He drove furiously, and upon reaching the garden, he witnessed the scene before him—Ling Chuxia being restrained by two servants, who were forcibly trying to get her to sign. His heart ached for her momentarily before a surge of darkness rose from the depths of his eyes.
Ling Chuxia looked up at Shi Che. In the moment she saw him, she couldn’t understand why her panicked heart felt briefly joyous, as if his arrival meant all problems would be solved.
Mrs. Shi was also taken aback but quickly composed herself. With a curl of her lips, her eyes regained their gentle warmth. "Che’er, you’ve arrived just in time. Now that everyone’s here, let’s clear things up once and for all."
Shi Che’s dark eyes imperceptibly swept over Ling Chuxia before he withdrew them, his face expressionless as he approached with long strides.
Watching Shi Che’s expression, the touch of joy in Ling Chuxia’s heart slowly sank. How could she have forgotten? Just because her relation with Shi Che had eased didn’t mean he liked her, nor did it mean he didn’t want to divorce her.
Ling Chuxia’s heart started pounding fiercely. If Shi Che also agreed to the divorce, then all her struggles would be in vain.
As Mrs. Shi watched Shi Che approach, she began speaking with a smile, "Che’er, I know you’ve never liked Chuxia. You’ve suffered these three years. Don’t worry, I won’t pressure you anymore; I agree to the divorce."
Just as Mrs. Shi finished speaking, Shi Che reached her. His dark eyes were cast down, the light within them unfathomably deep, revealing not even a sliver of emotion. He glanced at Mrs. Shi indifferently, then his gaze shifted to the agreement. He slowly extended his hand and picked up the document.
Ling Chuxia’s gaze involuntarily followed his movements, and a wave of fear and panic surged within her, together with an unhideable despair.
Perhaps she was really going to divorce Shi Che... Perhaps she was really going to betray her elder sister’s trust.
But... she had truly tried her best, she really had!
Ling Chuxia’s hands clenched tighter bit by bit, her eyelids gradually lowered, and her complexion started to pale, as if waiting for the final verdict.
Mrs. Shi continued, "Che’er, just sign here and that’s all. Leave the rest to me."
However, before Mrs. Shi could finish, Shi Che abruptly lifted his other hand—long and fair with evenly proportioned fingers—and pinched the paper, then tore it straight in half.
With a loud rip, the divorce agreement was torn into two pieces.
Mrs. Shi’s eyes bulged in shock at Shi Che’s action, completely unable to react. Shi Che’s dark pupils stared directly at her, his thin lips parted slowly, enunciating each word, "Mother, you may agree, but I do not!"