Chapter 10
Geoffrey looked at me, waiting–waiting for me to lower my head like I always did.
Inside the meeting room, even the employees outside were staring. Whispers circled around me, judging, dissecting. I could feel their eyes like knives.
But I raised my head, met Geoffrey’s gaze, and said calmly, “When you’re free, go to the Registry Office. Let’s get the divorce certificate.”
A sharp crack echoed across the floor.
My mother slapped me across the face.
“You ungrateful girl! I’ll beat you to death today!”
She raised her hand for another strike, but this time, Geoffrey reached out and stopped her. “Mom, don’t. She’s just a little emotional. I’ll talk to her at home.”
But my mother wouldn’t let go of his hand. Her grip was desperate. “Geoffrey, you’ve always been so good to us. I already think of you as my own son.”
‘If she won’t apologize, I will,” she said, choking back tears. “Don’t be angry with her, please…” And then, unbelievably–she knelt down in front of him.
Gasps rose around us. Even Geoffrey looked stunned as he bent down to pull her up. But she refused.
‘Geoffrey, I’m begging you–please forgive her. She’s just confused!”
The whispers turned into a storm of judgment.
In that moment, whatever dignity I had left was shattered. All the fig leaves covering my humiliation were ripped away.
I stared at my mother kneeling in front of my husband, and something inside me broke.
What a joke.
This was my life. My reality. My family.
I looked up at Geoffrey again. “Geoffrey…”
My voice was soft–but the moment I spoke, the room fell completely silent.
He looked down at me, his expression unreadable. “Jean.”
I gave him a bitter smile. “I apologize. I’m sorry. Satisfied now?”
Then I turned to my mother. “Mom, are you satisfied? Can I go now?”
Without waiting for an answer, I turned around and walked away.
Geoffrey caught up to me. My mother stumbled after us, her voice still chasing my back.
He quickly hailed a taxi for her. When she saw I didn’t resist him holding me, she finally gave in and left.
“Let’s go. I’ll take you home,” he said, guiding me toward the parking lot.
As we turned a corner, we ran into Caroline.
Her gaze fell immediately on our joined hands. A flicker of discomfort crossed her face, but she
quickly replaced it with a sweet, fake smile.
“Mr. Sharp, I saw it was about to rain, and since you were in a hurry, I brought you an umbrella.” Then she added gently, “It’s almost time to get off work, and I didn’t bring one myself…”
The implication was clear: she wanted him to drive her home. I could imagine how many times she’d used this tactic before.
I tried to pull my hand away, but Geoffrey gripped it tighter–firm and unrelenting.
The sky darkened. Wind whipped through the parking lot. Raindrops began to fall.
Caroline stood there, her thin frame swaying slightly in the breeze, looking pitiful. “Mr. Sharp…” He looked at her, eyes cold. “Don’t come in tomorrow.”
She froze. “What?”
“If you want a reason,” he said flatly, “it’s because my wife doesn’t like you.”
Then, without another word, he turned and led me away.
In the car, I stayed silent. I had no energy left for words.
Geoffrey was the first to speak. “Did you complete the discharge papers? Are you feeling any better?”
When I didn’t respond, he continued, trying to sound light, “The New Year’s almost here. Why don’t we go back to my hometown this year? My parents miss you and Matthew. It’ll be more festive if we spend it with them.”
Still, I said nothing.
He sighed, voice tinged with frustration. “Are you still angry?”
“You didn’t like her. I fired her. What else do you want?”
Tai Jun is a dreamer and storyteller who believes the sky is never the limit. He spends most of his time with his friend Lian, chasing new horizons and crafting tales that soar beyond boundaries.