Chapter 54 Really Divorced
Three days later, Elizabeth boarded a plane to Switzerland.
After Aria and Arthur saw her off, they didn't even take a break and went straight to the local courthouse.
The two got out of the car and walked in one after the other, neither saying a word.
The lobby was crowded and noisy. Some people had sweet smiles on their faces, holding hands with shoulders touching—clearly there to register their marriage.
Others had red eyes and long faces, sitting apart and ignoring each other—most likely there for a divorce.
Aria and Arthur were rather unusual—neither intimate nor distant, both looking very calm.
When they came in, they caused a small stir.
Someone whispered to the person next to them, "Wow, look at those two. They're so good-looking. Wonder if they're here to get married or divorced."
"Must be getting married, right? If my wife looked that beautiful, I definitely wouldn't want a divorce."
"If my husband was half as good-looking as that man, I definitely wouldn't want a divorce either."
The two people being quietly discussed were completely unaware and just found an empty seat to sit down.
Their appointment time hadn't arrived yet, so they had to wait a while.
The courthouse chairs weren't very comfortable and seemed to have a strange smell lingering around them.
Aria frowned slightly as her mouth started producing saliva like crazy.
This was a signal that she was about to throw up.
She had no choice—they'd gotten up early to see Elizabeth off at the airport. She hadn't eaten breakfast, and after the long car ride, she was still motion sick.
She tried to hold it in but couldn't. Her throat rolled, her stomach contracted, and she retched. Her mouth filled with sour liquid, and she rushed toward the bathroom.
Arthur followed and held her arm. "What's wrong? Is your stomach bothering you again?"
"I'm fine." Aria waved her hand. "Just a bit carsick. I'll be okay in a while."
"You don't look well." Arthur frowned. "Wait here, I'll go buy you some medicine."
"No need."
She wanted to stop him, but it was too late—he was already gone. Aria just called out: "Get me something to eat too!"
Back at her seat, just as she sat down, a young woman came over.
She asked enthusiastically, "Are you here for a divorce too?"
Aria was taken aback but nodded.
The woman smiled. "I knew it! I could tell from looking at you two that you weren't here to get married."
Aria thought to herself that she must not have seen what she and Arthur looked like when they first came here to register their marriage.
The woman smiled and pulled out a pack of gum from her bag, offering her a piece. "Mint flavor. I saw you throw up just now. Have one—it helps with nausea."
Aria waved her hand. "Thanks, but I'm really allergic to mint."
Actually, she wasn't, but with illegal drugs so common these days, how could she just accept things from strangers? She could only make up an excuse to brush it off.
The woman didn't mind, popped one in her own mouth, blew a bubble—pop—it burst. Chewing her gum, she pressed on. "Your husband seems pretty concerned about you. He looked so worried when he saw you like that. Why are you getting divorced?"
Aria's lips moved, and she smiled bitterly. "Because I'm not the only woman he cares about like this."
The woman understood immediately.
"Do you have kids?" she asked again.
Aria's fingers tensed.
"...No."
"That's too bad! You're both so good-looking, and you don't seem short on money. You really don't want to have a child to pass on those genes?"
Aria felt a bit awkward. Clutching her fingers, she smiled reluctantly. "If I meet another good-looking man, I'll give it a try."
The woman laughed for a bit, then suddenly said, "I really envy you."
"Envy me for what?"
"Envy that your husband is at least willing to come here with you!" The woman sighed softly. "I'm here for a divorce too, but my husband—since the day I brought up divorce, I haven't seen him once."
"Same thing today. He won't answer calls, won't reply to messages."
As she spoke, she took out her phone and opened a chat window.
The last message was from her: [Today at 10 AM, see you at the courthouse!]
No reply followed.
The woman checked the time. "Looks like he's not planning to show up. Whatever! If he won't agree to a divorce, I'll file a lawsuit. Either way, I'm getting this divorce!"
Aria looked at her, wanting to say something but not knowing what to say.
Just then, Arthur came back.
He was carrying a plastic bag with two bottles of water, a bunch of snacks like bread and sausages, and a box of motion sickness medicine.
"Here."
He handed the water and medicine to Aria, and put the bread in her hands too. "Don't take the medicine yet. Eat something first, or your stomach will feel bad again."
Aria took them. "Thanks, I'm already feeling much better."
The woman glanced at Arthur, then at Aria, her expression complicated.
She stood up. "You two talk. I'll go sit over there."
Arthur sat down next to Aria and opened a bottle of water for her. Aria was stuffing bread in her mouth, choking at just the right moment, so this bottle of water came at the perfect time.
After a few bites of bread, her stomach felt a bit better.
"How much longer?" Arthur asked.
Aria checked the time. "Ten minutes."
After saying this, she suddenly felt a wave of disorientation.
In ten minutes, they wouldn't be husband and wife anymore.
Aria chewed her bread, and couldn't help thinking back to three years ago, also here, when they came to get their marriage certificate.
That day she had specially worn a white gauze dress that looked like a wedding dress.
Back then she hadn't moved to the Grant family yet. Just like that woman earlier, she came alone.
She sat eagerly at the entrance waiting for Arthur, almost thinking he wouldn't come.
He did come, looking like he'd just stepped away from a negotiating table—white shirt with a tie, jacket draped over his arm.
The process was quick, the whole thing took less than ten minutes.
She remembered the sunlight was beautiful that day, streaming through the window and falling on his profile. He looked cold and just casually tossed the paper to her, saying, "Move to my place tonight. The housekeeper has everything ready."
Then he left in a hurry.
That was the beginning of their marriage—no ceremony at all. For Arthur especially, it was as casual as taking a bathroom break during negotiations.
Now it was all ending. Would it also only take ten minutes?
"Time's up." Arthur checked his watch.
Aria snapped back to reality and quickly swallowed the last bite of bread.
The two stood up and walked toward the appointment room.
Aria bit her lip hard. Somehow, she suddenly found it hard to move her feet.
She forced herself to take a few steps and saw Arthur still standing in place.
"What's wrong?" she asked, her voice frighteningly hoarse.
Arthur pressed his lips together. Just as he was about to say something, his phone rang in his pocket.
"You take the call. I'll go in and wait for you."
She was about to leave when Arthur grabbed her arm. With his other hand, he answered the phone.
Then his expression suddenly changed.