Chapter 470 Legally Ending a Marriage

"Are you both sure you want to go through with the divorce?" The clerk looked at the documents James and Emily handed over, asking seriously.

James stayed silent. Emily paused for a moment before speaking, "Yes, we've both decided this together."

The clerk's gaze shifted to James. "Mr. Smith? If either of you isn't completely sure, you can take more time to think it over."

James didn't respond immediately.

Emily glanced at him anxiously, thinking, 'Say something. Do you really not want to marry Sophia?'

Divorcing James weighed heavily on her, but staying married to him was something Emily couldn't accept either.

They had been entangled for long enough; it was time to end it.

Seeing James still not answering, the clerk asked again, "Mr. Smith?"

James snapped out of his thoughts. He looked at Emily, understanding her resolve, and felt his last bit of hope vanish. "Yes, I also want..."

Just as James was about to finish his sentence, a frail yet urgent voice called out from behind them, "Emmy, James!"

Emily turned to see who it was. It was none other than James's grandmother, Ava, with his mother, Abigail, following closely behind.

Emily's heart ached as she held Ava's hand. "Even if James and I get divorced, I'll still think of you as my grandmother. I'll visit you whenever I can."

Ava opened her mouth to speak, but her eyes reddened instead.

She wanted to stop them, but hearing Emily's words, Ava felt she shouldn't force them anymore.

"Emmy, I'm sorry for all the hardships you've endured," Abigail said, standing beside Ava and looking at Emily.

Emily forced a smile. "Whether it was getting married five years ago or divorcing now, it was my choice. I don't feel wronged."

No one had forced her. Even if it was a bitter pill to swallow, she would do so without complaint or blame.

After exchanging a few words with Ava and Abigail, Emily turned to the clerk at the window. "We've made up our minds. Please process our divorce papers."

James watched Emily finish her sentence, remaining silent.

Since no one objected, the clerk proceeded with the paperwork efficiently.

"Please sign here," the clerk said.

Emily quickly picked up the pen and signed her name, then pushed the pen and form over to James.

James held the pen but hesitated.

Seeing his hesitation, Ava and Abigail's eyes lit up, thinking, 'Has James finally realized Emmy's worth and doesn't want to divorce her?'

Emily looked at James in surprise, thining, 'Why is he hesitating?'

James met Emily's gaze.

James found himself feeling foolish after understanding her look. He thought, 'What am I waiting for? Didn't I want to divorce Emily right after we got married? Haven't I already decided to be with Sophia? What am I hoping for? Emily doesn't even like me. Five years ago, during the earthquake, even though I saved her, she left me behind and ran off on her own. Haven't I been humiliated enough? Do I really need her to abandon me again to finally get it? Stop dreaming and face reality.'

With that thought, James tightened his lips and signed his name next to Emily's.

With two firm stamps, the divorce papers were finalized.

Emily and James were no longer legally married.

As Emily took the divorce papers from the clerk, she was reminded of the day they received their marriage certificate.

Back then, the clerk handed her the marriage certificate with a "Congratulations." Now...

Congratulations was unnecessary.

What was there to celebrate about a divorce?

With everything settled, Abigail helped Ava out of the office.

Emily looked at the divorce papers in her hand and sighed.

James also stared at his copy of the divorce decree.

He had never imagined he would be holding divorce papers from Emily, just as he hadn't imagined marrying her in the first place.

He wasn't happy when they got married.

And now, holding the divorce papers, he was even less happy.

James put away the divorce decree and looked at Emily. "Ms. Johnson, congratulations."

He thought, 'Congratulations on finally being free of me and able to enjoy life with another man.'

Emily smiled. "Mr. Smith, I should be the one congratulating you. Congratulations on your happiness with Ms. Brown. Goodbye."