Chapter 56 Have You Gotten the Divorce Decree?
Evening.
Alaric and Donald were downstairs, deep in conversation about business.
Cordelia couldn't make heads or tails of their talk, so she headed upstairs early.
It was only after Donald called it a night that Alaric went upstairs.
Cordelia had already washed up and was lying in bed. When she saw Alaric step into the room, she cleared her throat, feeling a bit uneasy.
"You should sleep on the couch."
They had already signed the divorce papers, and Cordelia couldn't bring herself to share a bed with Alaric anymore.
Alaric didn't respond, instead, he walked straight into the bathroom.
Cordelia bit her lip, assuming he had agreed.
Despite being married for three years and having shared many intimate moments, she now felt nothing but awkwardness and uncertainty.
She sighed softly, pulling the covers over herself and deciding to sleep.
The sound of running water stopped, and her heartbeat quickened as she heard the bathroom door open.
After a while, she felt the bed dip and opened her eyes to see Alaric lying beside her, looking quite pleased with himself.
"Did I wake you?"
He asked casually when he noticed her looking at him, showing no intention of moving to the couch.
Cordelia's expression stiffened.
"Mr. Hughes, we're already divorced."
Alaric frowned, his deep eyes darkening.
"Do you have the divorce decree?"
Cordelia was speechless.
"We've signed the agreement."
Alaric responded calmly, "That agreement only matters once the divorce decree is issued. Cordelia, I can change my mind at any time."
If he did, the agreement would be null and void.
Cordelia took a deep breath, looking at Alaric's calm face.
"Alaric, do you not want to divorce me?"
She couldn't help but ask.
Alaric didn't directly answer her question.
"I just don't want to sleep on the couch."
Cordelia bit her lip. "So you expect me to sleep on the couch?"
Alaric's long arm reached out, pulling Cordelia into his embrace.
"Cordelia, without the divorce decree, we're still married. It's only natural to share a bed."
Cordelia pressed her lips together, wanting to argue, but before she could, Alaric, looking tired, said, "Don't worry, I won't touch you. Just sleep."
With that, he closed his eyes.
Cordelia was tightly held in his arms, feeling uncomfortable. She squirmed a bit, but his arm tightened around her, his voice hoarse.
"Don't move."
As he spoke, he gave her a light slap on the butt, as if to punish her.
Cordelia frowned immediately.
After that, Alaric didn't make any further moves.
The faint scent of his body wash, which was the same one she often used, made Cordelia feel a bit more at ease.
She looked at his handsome, sleeping face, feeling a mix of emotions.
Not long after, she too fell asleep, enjoying a rare, restful night.
The next morning.
Cordelia woke up first.
As she moved, Alaric woke up too.
Seeing her trying to move away, he pulled her back into his arms.
"I'm feeling a bit dizzy. Stay with me for a while."
His voice carried a hint of fatigue and a touch of pleading.
Cordelia paused, then removed his arm.
"Mr. Hughes, that's enough. There's no one else here, so why are you pretending?"
She got up with a serious expression, looking at Alaric as he slowly woke up, and headed to the bathroom.
Alaric sat on the bed, watching her back for a long time before his eyes dimmed, and he got up.
After getting ready, Cordelia went downstairs.
Alaric followed a few minutes later.
Donald was already in the yard, working out after preparing breakfast. Seeing Cordelia and Alaric come down, he went back inside.
"Awake?" he asked.
Cordelia nodded.
Donald smiled.
Since getting married, Cordelia rarely stayed at The Stone Manor.
"Eat your breakfast quickly and head to work."
When Donald mentioned "school," Cordelia paused.
Alaric also looked at Donald.
"Dad, what did you just say to Cordelia?"
Donald, walking toward the dining room, smiled at Alaric's question.
"I told you both to eat breakfast quickly so you can go to work."
Cordelia relaxed a bit.
It was probably just a slip of the tongue from Donald, saying "school" instead of "work."
Given Donald's depression, if he also had Alzheimer's, things would be much worse.
After breakfast, Alaric and Cordelia left together.
Alaric opened the passenger door for Cordelia in front of Donald.
Donald watched them with a smile.
Cordelia bit her lip and got into the car, sitting in the passenger seat.
She waved to Donald as she settled in.
"Dad, we're off to work."
Alaric added, "Dad, we're leaving now. Go back inside."
Donald nodded. "Work hard, both of you."
As Alaric drove away, Donald stood in the yard, watching the car until it disappeared from view.
Allegra, standing nearby, spoke softly.
"Mr. Stone, let's go inside."
Donald nodded slightly. "Alright."
Alaric drove Cordelia to Sunrise Valley Hospital.
At the hospital entrance, Cordelia got out of the car.
Before heading inside, she turned to thank Alaric for his respect towards Donald, but he drove off before she could speak.
Cordelia's heart skipped a beat.
Alaric, thinking Cordelia would head straight into the hospital as usual, was surprised when she stopped. He hit the brakes suddenly.
The car behind him didn't react in time and rear-ended him.
The driver of the other car cursed, but since it was their fault, they had to take responsibility.
Moreover, Alaric's car was a top-tier luxury vehicle.
Cordelia, startled by the sudden accident, quickly walked over to Alaric's car.
Alaric got out, his first concern for Cordelia.
"Did you have something to say to me?"
Cordelia was taken aback, not expecting Alaric to brake because he sensed she had something to say.
Feeling conflicted, she looked at him for a moment, unsure what to say.
"Maybe you should deal with the accident first?"
The driver of the other car, seeing Alaric's luxury vehicle, regretted not keeping a safe distance.
Alaric glanced at the other driver and said quietly, "You can go."
The other driver, almost in disbelief, asked, "You mean I can leave?"
Alaric nodded. "Yes."
The driver quickly got back in his car and drove away, worried Alaric might change his mind.
Once the other car was gone, Alaric turned to Cordelia. "What did you want to say?"