That night, Su Ruoyan couldn't sleep. She sat on the edge of the bed until dawn, her thoughts turning between disbelief and a numb clarity. When the first light of morning filtered through the curtains, she felt hollow, as if her soul had quietly slipped away during the night.
The carpet felt cold against her toes as she gripped the nightstand for support, like a fragile lifeline in a flood of memories that now weighed heavily on her. Her wedding ring caught the dim light from the chandelier, casting a sparkle that seemed to mock her. She glanced down at her fingers; the simple band that had once symbolised their love now felt like an unbearable reminder of everything she had lost. What a cruel twist it was: once a symbol of promise, it had now left her with an empty space and a silence that consumed her.
She removed the ring and placed it on the table next to the wedding photo frame. Her younger self smiled back at her, radiating joy and hope, yet, the woman looking at the picture felt like a stranger. She understood that crying wouldn't alter the past or mend what was already broken, instead, she resolved to move forward, embracing the strength within her.
At nine o'clock, the doorbell rang.
She didn't need to glance out to know who was there, it was his assistant, Lin Yue, standing outside with a brown envelope in hand. The world had a talent for being relentless, and she understood that the whispers of rumours could spread through the air with a speed that often outpaced reality.
"Miss Su," Lin Yue began, her voice slightly hesitant as she spoke. An electric tension lingered in the air, hinting at the imminent events that could change everything. Ruoyan maintained a composed expression and stated, "Please speak freely, Lin Yue. I am ready to hear what you have to say."
Lin Yue extended the envelope with a subtle tremor in her hands and stated, "I have been tasked with delivering this document, which contains the divorce papers."
With steady hands, Su Ruoyan took the envelope and walked confidently to the desk. The sharp sound of tearing paper broke the silence of the apartment as she opened it and inside, neatly arranged documents awaited her, revealing the end of their three-year marriage in stark black ink and cold signatures.
There is no letter, no apology, and no explanation; only her signature is required to bring this torment to an end.
Ruoyan fixed her gaze on the line meant for her name, and though her vision threatened to blur, she steeled herself and took a deep breath. Her father used to say that every fall was an opportunity to rise stronger. Life may not always be fair, but dignity was a choice she would always assert for herself.
She grasped the pen with purpose. Her hand moved steadily as she confidently signed her name: Su Ruoyan. Each letter was bold, decisive, and unmistakably final.
As Su Ruoyan set down her pen, a sense of anticipation began to build within her. Lin Yue stood quietly behind her, providing a comforting presence. "Miss Su, you don't have to rush. Mr Lu didn't say anything that would prevent you from staying here, perhaps you'd like to wait until you feel ready."
Ruoyan turned to face her and replied, her voice steady and gentle, yet filled with unmistakable resolve. "I've already waited too long, Lin Yue. It's time to finally bring closure to what has lingered for years."
She took a final, resolute look around their marital apartment. The walls still bore faint traces of laughter and the lingering scent of his cologne, reminders of the life they had built together. She recalled the early years of their marriage, the nights spent cooking side by side, and the mornings when he'd kiss her forehead before heading to work. Those memories, though emotionally significant, no longer held power over her as they were merely part of her journey.
With purpose, she packed a small suitcase with only her important documents, a few essential clothes, and a photograph of her late grandmother, a symbol of strength and resilience. She left everything else behind, ready to embrace a new chapter in her life, unburdened by the past.
At the doorway, she paused for a moment, her eyes locking onto the mirror in the hallway. The woman staring back was far from fragile. Yes, she showed signs of fatigue, but her eyes shone with a fierce determination, radiating strength and resilience.
"Let's go," she declared firmly to herself.
The elevator ride down felt like it was stretching into the future. When she finally reached the lobby, the rain welcomed her again with soft and steady sprinkles, bathing the world in a shimmering silver light. She stepped out without an umbrella, embracing the drops that struck her skin like promises of renewal, washing away remnants of weakness and illusion.
The limp that had overshadowed her for years, the injury she had once clung to as an excuse to retreat from life, was beginning to feel lighter with each steady step she took. Although the pain still lingered, it no longer held her back.
At the end of the street, a black sedan waited, its presence a silent invitation to what was to come, though she remained blissfully unaware.