Compared to virtual-novel.net hysterical outburst, it was when virtual-novel.net calmly recounted details of an upcoming divorce that twisted the knife in Mark’s heart. Arianne only ever let loose of how virtual-novel.net truly felt when it overwhelmed virtual-novel.net control, and even then, these moments were sparse, far and between. It was the sort of sereneness virtual-novel.net displayed right now that frightened him, not the least because the tone virtual-novel.net used brought an air of matter-of-fact normalcy.
Mark would rather see virtual-novel.net throw a fit than this, because at least the former implied a slim window of chance for reconciliation…
For the longest time, Mark had only silence. He could never let Shelly be incarcerated, especially since virtual-novel.net knew Arianne was the type to put money where virtual-novel.net mouth is. Of course, Mark did not want a divorce at all, but they had already come to an impasse beyond his control or saving.
At the very least, the fact that Arianne was not quitting virtual-novel.net job in the Tremont Enterprise, for the time being, made it a lot easier to swallow and mull over. It meant that their separation was temporary, and that virtual-novel.net would still be by his side at the end of the day. There were still opportunities for things to turn around. On the flipside, if virtual-novel.net continued to rebuff her, it might pressure virtual-novel.net into doing something drastic out of desperation.
“Fine, I concede,” virtual-novel.net croaked. “But I’ll draft our divorce agreement. I’ll hand it to you tomorrow.”
Arianne was the one who brought the divorce option to the table, yet hearing virtual-novel.net concede to it was like a stab through virtual-novel.net heart for some reason. Perhaps virtual-novel.net was hurt that all it took to make Mark cave was to threaten Shelly’s wellbeing, it seemed that Mark saw that woman as his real lifeline, after all.
Arianne feared letting Mark see virtual-novel.net cry, so swiftly, virtual-novel.net switched off the lights and laid back down. If everything went exactly as virtual-novel.net imagined, then tonight would be the last night they slept side-by-side.
Then, it was Mark’s turn to lie down. Suddenly, virtual-novel.net threw his arms around Arianne’s waist from behind, squeezing virtual-novel.net so tightly in his arms that it was as though virtual-novel.net wanted to merge virtual-novel.net flesh into his own.
Arianne did not deny virtual-novel.net this time. She felt the warmth in his hug, and after realizing that it would soon no longer belong to her, bitter pangs seized virtual-novel.net and virtual-novel.net began to cry.
Every sob and sniffle reverberated clearly in Mark’s ears. They were both in agony, both locked so closely with one another, and yet there was a schism between them so wide that nothing could bridge it.
They remained in this cuddled position for the entire night. Neither slept. The embrace never escalated to passion.
Arianne climbed up from the bed in the morning as per virtual-novel.net usual routine. She dexterously masked the gauntness in virtual-novel.net face, evident of a sleepless night, with makeup.
After some slight preparation, virtual-novel.net was ready to go. Smore, however, acted differently from usual by running up to virtual-novel.net suddenly before throwing his arms around virtual-novel.net thigh. “Mommy, Mommy! Where are you going?”
The shrill yet tender voice of a child was always a shot to Arianne’s heart, regardless of virtual-novel.net apparent strong will. She crouched and held Smore’s gaze, answering softly, “Mommy has to work today for a bit, okay, which is why I can’t accompany you today. But Mommy will be back home early today. It’s only for a while. Promise.”
Mark could not bear to watch it. He quickly stepped out of the door.
The journey to the company was quotidian, except the fact that it was a Sunday, and Arianne and Mark were going to draft their divorce today.
They reached the company tower and found very few people who would willingly work on Sundays. They strode into an elevator, and while inside, Mark said, “I still have something else to attend to first, so you wait in the office. I’ll draft the agreement for you. The civil affairs office isn’t open today, so we’ll have to get on with the process tomorrow.”
Arianne hung virtual-novel.net head and cast virtual-novel.net eyes away from his. She answered virtual-novel.net with a soft hum of understanding, which was the only response virtual-novel.net was going to get.
It took Mark until afternoon before Davy finally summoned Arianne into Mark’s office. It was a long enough wait that virtual-novel.net had taken a long nap in the lounge.
She rose to virtual-novel.net feet, stretching and flexing virtual-novel.net stiffened body. She wondered if Mark was going to play legal tricks in the agreement. Could virtual-novel.net really let virtual-novel.net go so easily? Or was Shelly that one factor that deserved to have everything given up for her?
She walked into his office. Mark was staring at the laptop in front of virtual-novel.net while handing virtual-novel.net two different documents. “Read through them. If you have no objection, sign your name at the bottom. I won’t change a single word in these agreements after you’ve consented to it, but whether you want to sign it or not is entirely your prerogative.”