Chapter 12: A Clean Break

Gu Qichen stared at the papers Xia Yangyang handed him. The bold words at the top read, "Divorce Agreement!" He knew immediately she was well-prepared. The masked woman he'd seen with Chen Yu a fortnight ago—it had been Xia Yangyang. Their vacation was over, and now she was presenting him with divorce papers. It was clearly premeditated.

"Xia Yangyang, why the rush? Did Chen Yu drug you? You're filing for divorce the moment you return?" The irony wasn't lost on Yangyang. Hadn't he been the impatient one, burning the midnight oil to end their marriage? Now that she was granting his wish, he blamed her and Chen Yu. Who was it who'd had an affair with Shen Manbing while still married? And now she was the betrayer? Men, she thought, always so adept at dodging responsibility. He'd sleep soundly, believing himself blameless. Fine, she'd indulge him.

Holding Chen Yu's arm, Yangyang said, "Mr. Gu, I met Chen Yu fifteen years ago. He was my brother, Yutou. We reconnected, and it felt like destiny. Since we've found each other, settling things quickly is best. Sign the agreement, and we'll part ways with no obligations."

"No obligations? Our marriage was that insignificant to you? But you can't just get rid of me, Xia Yangyang. If you want a divorce, get a lawyer." Without hesitation, Gu Qichen tore the agreement in half.

Xia Yangyang was furious. "Gu Qichen, you—"

Chen Yu intervened, "President Gu, Yangyang is compromising. Why be unreasonable?"

Gu Qichen's attention finally shifted to Chen Yu. His voice was cruelly cold. "This is none of your business, Chen Yu. If you're trying to steal her, you're not ready."

Xia Yangyang felt genuine anger and heartbreak. As Chen Yu said, Gu Qichen was playing innocent after being at fault. Wasn't this what he wanted? A lawyer? A joke! Didn't he fear his affair with Shen Manbing being exposed? But she understood. By initiating the divorce, she'd wounded his pride. Was his ego so inflated that he controlled even the terms of their separation? Did she not even have that right, that shred of dignity?

With a cold tone, Xia Yangyang said, "Mr. Gu, I will get a lawyer."

Many eyes were on them. She didn't want more attention. "Let's go," she said to Chen Yu.

They left the airport together. Gu Qichen remained where he stood, his fists clenched. He'd searched for her for ten days, checking international flights daily, finally tracking her return. He'd arrived four hours early. He assumed her encounter with him at Lake Bay had led to a misunderstanding. He wanted to explain, but she'd thrown the divorce agreement at him first. The thought of her spending those days with another man ignited a violent rage within him.