Chapter 32: Zoey Will Take My Last Name
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Evelyn smiled serenely.“Mr. Fu, you wouldn’t want to back out, would you?”
Caleb sneered. “Even after the divorce, if you still bother me, that would be truly annoying!”
Evelyn mimicked his tone.“Worrywart.”
The clerk handed them the divorce certificates.Evelyn’s smile widened as she looked at her name.
Caleb took his certificate, didn’t look at it, and stood up.
Mr. Fu, wait a minute,” Evelyn said, stopping him. He turned, one hand in his pocket.“Having second thoughts already?”
“You need to stay and sign something for Zoey.She’s taking my last name,” Evelyn said.
The smile froze on Caleb’s face.
Evelyn left the office; Lance and Zoey waited in the lobby. Lance barely suppressed a grin when he saw Caleb. Caleb had bought his spaces at Bayview and Star City at inflated prices.
“Mommy!”
Zoey jumped up and ran to Evelyn.She looked up at Caleb.“Uncle.“Even if she didn’t fully
divorce, she knew she had to change her form of address.,
understand
A jumble of emotions churned in Caleb. His throat felt tight.
He told Zoey, “When you turn eighteen and can decide for yourself, you can change your name back.”
Zoey shook her head. “I like the new name Mommy picked.”
Caleb’s face changed.“You’re not Zoey anymore?”
“No, I’m Yingzhou. Jiang Yingzhou.The character ‘Ying‘ has many strokes, but it represents the vast ocean.”
Caleb murmured, “Zoey was a nice name, though.A small boat…”
He and his father had chosen Zoey and Ducky’s names.Ducky’s name held the weight of family expectations: to lead the Fus, to overcome challenges, and return in glory.Boys were expected to strive and conquer; girls were like little boats, destined to find a man to rely on. Zoey said, “But a small boat can’t cross a mountain range. I want to grow into a large ship, to sail the seas, to overcome the waves!”
Caleb stared at his daughter, baffled that she’d willingly give up her privileged life. But she was his daughter, and if she wanted a name change, so be it. When she grew up, she’d understand the significance of the Fu name.
He addressed Evelyn, a warning in his voice.“If she wants to change back, don’t stop her.” Evelyn smiled.“If Zoey wants to be a Fu again, she’ll tell you.”
Evelyn and Zoey got Zoey’s new ID, with Evelyn as the head of the household.“Zoey Fu” became her former name.
Caleb walked out of the courthouse with his divorce certificate. Evelyn and Zoey followed.They saw Nash, in a black fringed leather jacket, leaning against a Mercedes G–Wagon.Several
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< Chapter 32: Zoey Will Take My Last N…
motorcycles and sports cars were parked nearby.
Nash straightened up, raising her arms.“Everyone, look!Stop for
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a moment!”
The crowd paused.She directed their attention to the G–Wagon’s windshield.It read, “MARRIED.”
With a snap of her fingers, the driver activated the wipers, erasing the word. Nash hopped onto the hood, squatting down to spray–paint:“DIVORCED” in large letters. She tossed the can to the ground and stood on the hood, shouting, “Let’s congratulate this gentleman!He’s rid of his wife and free! Happy Divorce Day!”
With her friends, she held up a banner congratulating Caleb.Someone played a trumpet and threw confetti.
“Mommy, what’s Aunt Nash doing?” Zoey asked.
“She’s making a spectacle of your Uncle Caleb,” Evelyn responded, leading Zoey away. Seeing Evelyn depart, Nash smirked triumphantly.
Caleb approached her, looking uncomfortable.“What are you doing?”
Nash, on tiptoe, put her arm around him.“I’m celebrating your divorce with the boys!” Caleb shuddered.“Keep it down! This isn’t exactly glorious!”
Nash ignored him; she was ecstatic about Caleb’s divorce.“Come on! Dad’s got a party ready! Let’s celebrate!”
from family
endless
and dates
drinks!Single
life rules!”
That night, at a club:Nash raised her glass. “Let’s celebrate Caleb’s return to singlehood!May he be free
ties, with Everyone joined in.“Caleb, happy divorce!”
Nash hooted like a chimpanzee.
Caleb sat on the sofa, shrouded in shadow. He silently drank, his expression dark. Why did his chest feel so tight?He’d never loved Evelyn in their seven years of marriage. Her leaving should have been liberating.
The liquor burned a path down his throat.
Nash sat beside him, brandishing a bottle of whiskey.“To celebrate your newfound freedom, Dad got you some girls! Trust my judgment; I picked the best!”
Others chimed in, “Nash, we want girls too!”
Nash shouted, “Call me Dad, and you’ll get girls!”
was
excited.“Caleb,
take
a
any,
let I’ll
them stay.”
Amidst the laughter, the door opened, and several heavily made–up women entered.
like look!If you Nash She pointed to one, “Big boobs! Like she’s got bowling balls in there!” She ordered another to turn around.“Let’s see…nice butt!” Nash’s behavior was unrestrained. She knew Caleb had no interest in these surgically enhanced women. They wore revealing outfits, had exaggerated eyelashes, and thick makeup. But compared to them, Nash stood out.She was dressed casually, in a loose baseball jacket and ripped
< Chapter 32. Zoey Will Take My Last N…
jeans, her auburn hair loose, her makeup minimal.
She refilled Caleb’s whiskey.He glanced at a girl in the corner. His gaze sharpened. Nash followed his gaze, her face falling.
The girl was different from the usual club regulars. She wore a simple white dress, her dark hair loose, radiating awkwardness.She looked out of place, like a rabbit in a wolf’s den, desperately trying to hide, yet drawing everyone’s attention.
Nash’s face hardened. She knew why Caleb noticed her.Evelyn had worn a white dress when he first met her.