The research went smoothly.
Over the next week, Harper easily adapted to the rhythm of her new job and found herself busy almost every day.
On the 28th, a Thursday, Harper took the day off early and got up early to clean up.
She painted herself with delicate makeup and changed into her favorite dress.
It should be the last thing she could do for the decency of this marriage, right?
Joseph hadn't stayed at home the previous night, so Harper took a taxi to the courthouse alone and waited for him by the flowerbeds at the entrance.
A gentle breeze blew, causing her chiffon dress to sway, revealing her slender, fair legs.
Her outfit today was reminiscent of the one she wore when she first met Joseph many years ago.
But her state of mind was completely different.
Back then, she was head over heels, but now...
Harper sighed softly, checked her watch, and realized that the agreed-upon time had passed, and Joseph was still not there.
After waiting for another five minutes, she had no choice but to call him. "Why haven't you arrived?" she asked.
Joseph responded, "Do you have something urgent?"
Harper was momentarily speechless, her grip on the phone tightening unconsciously. After a while, she said, "I'm at the courthouse entrance. We agreed to finalize the divorce today."
Joseph replied, "I forgot. I've been busy with surgeries these days."
"Please come now. I'm waiting for you," Harper urged.
Joseph fell silent for a moment and then said, "I'm on my way to Tranquil Hospital for an academic forum in Lindwood City. I'm already on the train."
Harper gritted her teeth and asked, "Why didn't you mention that before agreeing to the divorce?"
Joseph's voice sounded somewhat weary. "It was a last-minute notice."
Harper felt speechless.
She fiddled with her fingers, suppressing her emotions, and asked eagerly, "So, when will you be back?"
Joseph, seated by the window on the high-speed train, watched the reflection of the passing scenery, his deep gaze growing even more somber.
He said in a low voice, "The day after tomorrow."
Harper pursed her lips. The day after tomorrow was the weekend, and the courthouse wouldn't be open. She would have to wait until next Monday at the earliest.
"Alright," She said.
Her voice sounded somewhat listless, a mix of anger and resignation.
Joseph frowned and asked, displeased, "Are you in a hurry?"
Her attitude seemed as if she wanted to move the courthouse to their home and get the divorce certificate the moment he returned.
Harper was in no mood for idle chatter at the moment. She responded emotionlessly and hung up the phone.
She turned and looked at the courthouse behind her, sighing silently.
Her day off had been wasted.
Joseph's expression remained gloomy.
He stared out the window, motionless.
A curious colleague approached him and asked, "Dr. Lucas, wasn't it originally unnecessary for you to attend the forum in Lindwood City today?"
Joseph lowered his gaze and replied, "I changed my mind."
For a moment, no one else spoke, and an unusual silence filled the air. The doctors sitting nearby felt the sudden chill in the atmosphere and couldn't help but look at Joseph.
The slight frown on Joseph's face was reflected in the window, his stern countenance devoid of any extra expression.
It was inscrutable.
Joseph's failure to keep his promise in the morning left Harper feeling listless and lost in her thoughts throughout the day.
Joseph was truly self-centered!
Why should she always be the one waiting, the one compromising?
It wasn't the first or second time!
Even something as significant as a divorce was taken lightly in this way!
Harper crumpled her face and put the papers in her hand on the table, thought, 'Sure enough, this is how men treat women they don't care about.'
He didn't consider her schedule or her wishes at all.
It was time to go home, but Harper remained slumped in her chair, angry and unwilling to move.
Suddenly, her phone on the table rang, and Harper picked it up, instantly speechless.
It was Olivia.
"Harper, are you off work? I hope I'm not disturbing you." Olivia's voice was gentle and polite.
"No, what's up?"
"I received the design sketches you sent yesterday and I'd like to meet you to discuss them. Would that be possible?"
Harper was in a muddle and didn't want to see Olivia.
But helping her with the clothes was something she had promised to do herself.
'Forget it, let's get this over with quickly, and then get the divorce certificate with him.'
After that, let the old couple get back together or do whatever they want, she didn't want to be involved anymore!
Harper took a deep breath and said, "Sure."
When she arrived at the cafe, Harper saw Olivia waving at her from a distance.
Harper sat down, ordered an iced Americano, and saw Olivia smiling at her.
Olivia asked, "How are you adapting to your new company? You seem to be in good spirits."
Harper looked at Olivia's gentle face and couldn't stay angry. "It's okay. After all, it's something within my field, so it's relatively easy to get started."
After a pause, she asked, "But it was quite unexpected for you to invite me today. I thought you were going to attend the academic forum in Lindwood City."
Olivia glanced at her, curious. "How did you know there was a forum in Lindwood City?"
Harper was taken aback and didn't know how to respond for a moment.
But Olivia didn't seem to mind and continued, "That forum isn't very important. Our hospital sent a few resident physicians, and doctors above the attending level don't need to go."
"I see."
Hearing her say that, Harper was even more confused. Why did Joseph go?
Wasn't he already promoted to associate chief physician this year?
After a while, Olivia got to the point.
She took out her phone and opened the design sketches Harper had sent her, smiling, "I quite like these outfits you designed, but I'd like to adjust the color scheme a bit to match Joseph's style."
Harper looked at the blush gradually spreading on Olivia's face, lowered her eyes, and remained silent.
Olivia continued, "I went to Joseph's house. Although I didn't see what his clothes looked like in his wardrobe, I think someone like him should have a similar style in both clothing and home decor. Don't you think?"
Harper nodded and replied, picking up a brush and earnestly focusing on her work.
Olivia took a closer look and saw that Harper was categorizing the color schemes of Joseph's home decor.
Black, white, gray, navy, and so on.
Olivia narrowed her eyes.
Did she just say that Joseph's home decor was in a different color scheme?
How could Harper know?
It was only when Olivia asked that Harper realized she had acted impulsively.
She forced a smile and said, "I saw Dr. Lucas's simple style of dressing last time. And now that you mention it, I guess about the color scheme of his home."
Olivia looked at her inexplicably and smiled. "Being in the design field, it's expected that you'd be meticulous."
As she looked at Harper's face, an indescribable feeling suddenly welled up in her heart.