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With the Langleys still holding my dowry, I couldn’t take action yet.
“There's no room for discussion. Leave me alone.”
Edward’s face turned liver-red,his breaths heavy with anger.
Gone was the scholarly pride he once flaunted.
Ssnatching the fruit he’d brought, he stormed out, slamming the door behind.
My parents emerged from the shadows, apparently worried.
Edward’s words weren’t entirely false.
In this era, there were still people who viewed women through a lens of prejudice
Whether I could successfully divorce hinged largely on Edward's attitude. So, I had to make him initiate the divorce to maximize my interests.
“Sweetheart, what should we do now?” my parents asked.
After a moment of contemplation, I decided to confront Sophia Bennett.
To meet her as soon as possible, I even hired a car.
Sophia was a woman with a gentle and beautiful appearance, petite in stature, and her eyes were captivating.
However, no one would imagine what a venomous heart hid beneath her angelic face.
In fact, my death was also related to her.
“I’m divorcing Edward,”I announced.
Her eyes lit up briefly before dimming.
I noted her reaction,already forming a plan.
“He refuses,but I won’t stay with him.”
“If he doesn’t agree,it’ll be hard to break free.”
Upon hearing this, Sophia's expression soured a bit as she asked, "What do you want me to do?"
I felt a surge of joy, knowing that the matter was now settled.
I laid out the entire plan, as she stared at me incredulously.
“You’d really give him up?”
“He’s just nobody. What’s to hold onto?”
She eyed me suspiciously. After all, we had fought over my husband plenty of times in the past.
To her,my change seemed more like a trap, but I knew she’d seize this chance.
As expected,rumors about me spread like wildfire.
The Langleys were behind it,no doubt.
A few neighbors gathered at our gate,gossiping just loud enough for passersby to hear.
“Poor Mrs.Langley! Her daughter-in-law’s so disobedient, taking a little discipline as an excuse to demand a divorce!”
“What gives her the right?You marry a man,you follow him.Does she think she’s above everyone?”
“Her husband came to make peace,and she’s still causing trouble.What family wants a wife like that?”
They chattered away, degrading me to nothing.
Since I was there, I decided to engage them fully.
With a smile on my face, I strolled over to them.
“Where’d you hear such juicy gossip?You know all about private matters.”
“Or do you eavesdrop for fun? You seem to be more smart than spies.”
With just a few words, I provoked them into sheepishly explaining,
“What are you talking about?Just hearsay,nothing more…”
“No need to be modest.Even judges struggle with family disputes.You must have long arms to meddle in others’private affairs.If it’s true,fine.If it’s false,that’s slander—a crime.”
They scattered,mumbling about dinner and heading home.
I watched the scene with a smile, but my eyes turned cold.
Although the rumors were debunked, this was definitely not the end.
Fortunately, I still had plenty of time to plan. Edward, just you wait.
On the day we’d agreed to finalize the divorce,Edward arrived late.
He wore a tailored coat,exuding calm elegance.
Even his gaze toward me was tender.
“I want a divorce.”
“I said won’t agree.”
Our voices overlapped,startling the clerk,who assumed we were a bickering couple.
“The Civil Affairs Bureau doesn't handle divorce disputes. Please come back when you've thought it through," they said.
“Grace,don’t you dislike Mother’s overbearing ways?I’ve decided to send her back to the countryside.From now on,we’ll live our own lives.”
Edward’s words,spoken before the clerk,were laced with a dramatic sigh.
Everyone watching saw this, and even those in line, growing impatient from the wait, chimed in, “Your husband’s a good man. Go home and talk it over.”
“Exactly!He’s sending his own mother away.What more do you want?”
The gossip swelled until a delicate voice cut through.
“Edward,darling!Divorce her!Didn’t you promise to cherish me forever?”
