Chapter 203
That evening, Willow messaged Charles, reminding him not to be late tomorrow. When he didn't reply, she spent a restless night worrying.
The next morning, Maria noticed her exhaustion and jumped to conclusions. "Willa, promise me, no matter what Charles says, you won't soften your heart," she warned solemnly. "Cheating—once it happens, it will happen again. Never forgive him!"
Willow didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Grandma, I'm just worried Charles might be late."
Maria studied her for a moment and, seeing no deception, finally relaxed. After breakfast, she wanted to accompany Willow, but Willow talked her out of it.
If Charles caused a scene at the courthouse and upset Maria, Willow would never forgive herself.
She arrived at the courthouse ten minutes early and waited at the entrance. People came and went—some crying, some laughing. Willow felt neither joy nor sorrow, just nervousness. She feared Charles wouldn't show up.
"Hey beautiful, waiting for someone?" A man approached, seeing her standing alone. "What do you think about me? No parents, own car and house, healthy, all papers in order—ready to commit anytime."
Willow smiled faintly. "Waiting for my divorce."
The man persisted. "Planning to remarry after? I can wait in line. I don't mind that you've been married before."
Willow fell silent. Wait in line? Did he think this was like shopping at a market?
"I already have someone for my second marriage. Sorry," she replied politely, stepping away from him. The man tried to move closer.
As Willow wondered how to handle the situation, two burly men emerged from a nearby corner.
"Miss, do you need our assistance?" They stood respectfully beside her, glaring intimidatingly at the man. Before Willow could respond, the man sized up her bodyguards and hastily departed.
Willow sighed with relief, smiling at the two men. "Thank you."
They bowed slightly. "Mr. Lancaster instructed us to keep you safe. We'll be in the car behind you. Just signal if you need us."
Willow nodded, and they returned to their vehicle. Their presence comforted her, making her feel as though Sterling was right there with her.
Half an hour passed before Charles's car finally appeared. His expression was grim as he approached. "I'm here," he said, stopping in front of her.
Willow felt a weight lift from her shoulders. Without looking at him, she turned and walked toward the courthouse entrance. Charles followed silently behind.
At this hour, there weren't many couples filing for divorce. Their turn came quickly.
"Are you both certain about this divorce?" the clerk asked for final confirmation.
Willow nodded. "Yes."
Charles remained silent, looking at Willow painfully. "Willa, don't you have any lingering feelings for our eight years together?"
Willow's lips curved in derision. "I've answered that many times, Charles. Don't waste everyone's time. You're already very late."
Charles stared at her for a long while.
"Mr. Lancaster?" the clerk prompted.
Charles closed his eyes briefly before answering with difficulty, "Yes."
The clerk processed their divorce efficiently and handed them copies of the divorce decree.
Just like that, it was done.
With the decree in hand, Willow finally felt liberated. Their eight years of troubled marriage had come to an end. A new life awaited her. Willow felt full of hope.
Charles walked two steps behind her, watching her light steps, his eyes darkening.
"Willa," he called softly as they reached the courthouse entrance. "Tell me now, did you ever love me?"
Willow stopped and turned to face him. "I thought you were going to ask something else."
Charles's expression twisted momentarily before he finally asked, "I've done everything you asked. I returned the money. I signed the divorce. Will you delete what you have now?"
Willow smiled. "No."
Charles's brow furrowed instantly, anger visible in his eyes.
Willow remained composed. "But I can promise that as long as you don't bother me again, those videos will never be made public. Charles, you have so many tactics at your disposal—I can't compete. I need something to protect myself."
"Willa, you've changed," Charles said coldly.
Willow shrugged. "I learned from you."
If Charles hadn't repeatedly hurt her, would she ever have thought of such measures?
Charles stared intently at her face, unable to do anything about the situation. For now, at least.
"Very well," he nodded, stepping closer to her. "Willa, divorce doesn't really mean anything. Sooner or later, you'll come crawling back to me. If you don't believe me, just wait and see."
By then, she would naturally delete everything she had on him. Charles wasn't worried.
With those parting words, Charles walked past Willow, got into his car, and drove away. Willow felt an inexplicable chill run down her spine. She turned to watch his car disappear, her eyelid twitching uncontrollably.
"Willow!" Molly's voice came from behind her.
Willow snapped back to reality, pushing aside her unease as she turned around. A white Mercedes pulled up beside her. The window lowered halfway, revealing Molly's bright smile. "I'm here to pick you up!"
Her gaze fell on the divorce decree Willow hadn't put away yet.
"So that's what a divorce decree looks like? What happens if you lose it? You don't have to contact your ex-husband to get a replacement, do you?" The mere thought of Willow having to deal with Charles again made Molly shudder.
Willow got into the passenger seat, equally uncertain. "I don't think so?"
This was her first divorce—how would she know these things?
Molly shivered. "Better keep it safe then." She started the car. "Anyway, today you've officially divorced and said goodbye to that jerk. I'm taking you somewhere special to celebrate!"
She seemed even more excited than Willow. An onlooker might have thought Molly was the one getting divorced.
Willow's mood lightened, infected by Molly's enthusiasm. She didn't ask where they were going until the car entered a high-end residential area she knew all too well.
Willow clung to a sliver of hope. "Is Blake coming too?"
Yes, Sterling lived here. But the apartment Blake was lending them was also in this complex.
Surely it wasn't what she was thinking?
"You'll see." Molly's face broke into a mysterious smile.