Chapter 56 Chapter 56
“Let's not sign this yet. Why don't we take some time apart to cool off?" He forced a smile at her and continued, "We've been together for so many years, always glued to each other. It's normal to feel a bit weary sometimes. Let's separate. I'll let you try another relationship. Maybe then you'll realize you don't love him, that it's only passion.”
He couldn't continue mid-sentence. He bowed his head in embarrassment and cupped his forehead with both hands. After a long moment, he whispered, "Grace, I don't believe it. I can't believe you don't love me anymore. Just a moment ago, we were so close. What on earth happened to make you do this?"
Grace remained silent. She reached for his hand, but halfway there, she changed her mind. Instead, she snatched the divorce papers from his grasp, scribbled her signature with a few swift strokes, and murmured, "Adrian, remember? We promised long ago never to embarrass each other or cause each other pain. So, tomorrow morning, we’ll go get divorced first.”
Those were words spoken when their love was still new. He smiled bitterly and replied, "Fine."
She hesitated, then added, "Can we not tell our parents yet? I’ll tell them you’re going abroad for training. When the time is right, I’ll tell them.”
"Whatever," he replied. After a pause, he added, "I'll pack my things over the next couple of days and move out as soon as possible."
She had always dismissed claims that heartbreak could literally shatter one's heart as an exaggeration. But now, experiencing it firsthand, she finally understood how excruciating this pain truly was. It hurt when she inhaled and when she exhaled. So she dared not breathe, holding her breath as she answered him. "Okay."
Perhaps few couples in the world could match theirs—loving each other deeply while together, parting without quarrels or disputes, and divorcing with mutual respect.
He kept his promise to her. If she no longer loved him, he would set her free because he still loved her.
After finalizing the paperwork, they stood by the roadside to part ways. She said, "Because we once loved each other deeply, we can't be friends. Let's delete each other's contact information and become strangers.”
"How do you delete what's in your mind? Can you erase memories?" he asked with a faint smile. Then he held out his hands to her. "Grace, if you have pills that can wipe away memories, please give me, okay?"
She didn't respond. Before she could cry, she turned away and strode forward, unable to look back or pause. She repeated to herself, Adrian, live well. Live for me. Live in the sunlight. Wait for me. If you're still here when I return, we'll be together. But for now, with every step I take away from you, you'll be safer.
A black luxury car approached from a short distance away and slowed to a stop before Grace. The door opened automatically. Benjamin sat inside the spacious cabin, watching her. He ordered calmly, "Get in."
Grace knew Adrian was still watching her from afar, yet she didn't turn back. Without hesitation, she slipped into the car. But as the door closed and the scenery outside began to rush past, she could no longer bear the tearing pain in her chest. She slowly slumped forward, covering her face, and sobs escaped her.
"Can't bear to part?" the man beside her asked coldly.
Only then did she seem to realize he was beside her. She sat up abruptly and wiped away the relentless stream of tears. She answered plainly, "Yes, I can't bear it."
Benjamin scoffed. “Then why did you divorce him?”
"Because I love him. Because he loves me," she replied. After a moment, she added sarcastically, "Never mind. Someone like you wouldn't understand anyway."
He seemed to be in a good mood today and was unconcerned by her slight. He merely chuckled, amused by the opportunity to tease her. "Does it matter if I understand? No matter how much you love him, you're already divorced. Your body lies beneath mine. Who you love in your heart and who loves you in return—does any of that matter to me?"
His hand settled on her shoulder, tracing the curve of her neck upward until it cupped her face. He smiled. "The more it's like this, the more intriguing it becomes. Understand?"
She didn't understand. Of course she wouldn't understand—she wasn't a pervert!
"Are you calling me a pervert again?" he asked softly.
She didn't answer, only clenched her teeth and pressed her lips tightly together.
But her reaction was enough. He couldn't help but lift the corners of his mouth as he slowly drew closer to her. His lips brushed her cheek lightly, then settled near her ear. He murmured, "Actually, I'm not perverted enough, you know? Otherwise, I would've fucked you right in front of Adrian."
Grace couldn't take it anymore. Without thinking, she raised her hand to slap him, but before she could, he seized her wrist. He wasn't angry. Instead, he laughed even more heartily and leaned in to plant a quick kiss on her cheek. Then he released her and sat back down.
She glared at him, seething with fury.
However, he remained unfazed. With calm composure, he took the newspaper, unfolded it, and told Michael in the front seat, "Take her to school first."
The school remained unchanged—or perhaps it had transformed without her noticing—but she couldn't care less. Independent and bold since childhood, she believed that although she was born a woman, her spirit was resilient and strong. Even after enduring that catastrophe four years ago, she had picked herself up and started life anew.
Grace had always believed herself to be strong—strong enough to face all suffering and torment alone. Yet, it was only now that she understood that her strength had come from Adrian, the man who had always stood behind her, giving her power and hope.
And now, he was gone.
Her mind had been unfocused all day. Her phone rang repeatedly that afternoon, but she didn't notice until a colleague pointed it out. It was Adrian's number, etched into her memory and impossible to erase. She almost gritted her teeth as she pressed the reject button, but the phone rang again immediately—still him.
Her colleagues had noticed the commotion. With no other choice, Grace answered. Before she could speak, Adrian's urgent voice cut through the line: "Grace, what have you been hiding from me? What's going on?"
Grace's heart sank. Forcing herself to stay calm, she asked, "What are you talking about?"
"I saw that man! The one who picked you up this morning—the one who looks exactly like Alex!" he replied, his voice charged with emotion. "Grace, you can't possibly love him! Tell me, what's going on? How could you love him? You can't love him!"
Earlier that morning, he had seen her get into that black car. He guessed the man inside must be the one who had made Grace lose herself. Driven by intense jealousy and hatred, he memorized the license plate number. After a day of investigating, he finally traced the car's owner—Benjamin, the CEO of Norman Science.
The moment he saw Benjamin, he was utterly shocked. He knew instantly that Grace couldn't possibly love the man in the photo—the man who filled her with deep fear and haunted her nightmares.
What was she hiding from him?