Julian was unusually busy those days.
Phoenix coolly observed his early departures and late returns, his phone always within reach, his study light burning until
dawn
She knew he was meticulously planning his wedding intervention.
On the morning her divorce cooling–off period ended, Phoenix left early to collect the divorce certificate from her lawyer.
The property division had been completed; beyond that, she took only her personal belongings.
When she returned home, Julian was adjusting his tie before the mirror. He wore a brand–new navy blue suit, cufflinks gleaming in the morning light.
She’d never seen this outfit before–clearly purchased specially for today.
“Back from your walk?” He caught her reflection in the mirror, his lips curving into a tender smile. “Baby, I need to go out today. Rest well at home and remember to take your medicine.”
He turned, his long fingers gently stroking her belly as he softly warned: “Be good for mommy today. Don’t make her uncomfortable, or daddy will be angry.”
Plopeniz looked at the tenderness in his eyes and felt a surge of irony.
He could risk his life for Elise but didn’t even know his own child was gone.
She clutched the divorce certificate tightly. “I need to talk to you.”
Julian paused. “Baby, I have to leave now.”
“So urgently?” she asked softly. “You can’t even spare five minutes for me?”
Julian checked his watch and ultimately refused. “Can we discuss it tonight?”
“Is this matter so important?”
“Very important,” he answered without hesitation, determination bordering on obsession in his eyes. “More important than my life.”
Phoenix smiled. A faint smile, like winter’s last snowflake, vanishing in an instant.
“Go ahead,” she said softly. “Don’t be late.”
Julian seemed about to say something but merely placed a light kiss on her forehead before hurrying away.
As the sound of the engine faded into the distance, Phoenix walked to the kitchen and opened the neglected refrigerator.
Cold air rushed out as she removed the long–forgotten “gift” box, gently placing it on the living room coffee table.
Chapter ?
Taking one last look at the five month old fetus, she closed her eyes briefly, placing the new divorce certificate beside it.
As she pulled her suitcase out the front door, Phoenix didn’t look back.
In the airport terminal, crowds bustled around her.
Just before her flight, as she was about to turn off her phone, a message from Julian appeared:
“Raby, I’ve kept the medicine warm in the kitchen. I’ll be home soon to keep you company,”
Julian, from now on, the person by my side will never again be you. I have completely erased you from my world.
Phoenix calmly deleted the message, then deleted all their photos together, and finally deleted all his contact information.
As the plane lifted off, she seemed to hear something inside her heart go “click,” as though hitting a delete button.
That was the sound of all her love for him… vanishing into nothing.
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