Chapter 264
Ariel had just finished the fingerprint scan when the clerk asked the final question.
She looked up and replied calmly, “It’s voluntary.”
Jayson glanced sideways at Ariel’s unusually composed expression. She had never seemed so firm, yet so at ease.
There was even a hint of urgency about her that he couldn’t quite ignore.
His gaze lingered on her face for a moment before he quietly looked away and gave a slight nod.
The clerk glanced at the two of them. Neither had shown the slightest trace of emotion, and there was not a hint of conflict or tension between them.
It was like watching two strangers quietly finalizing a bothersome transaction.
Once their fingerprints and ID data had been verified and recorded in the system, the clerk picked up the steel seal and brought it down with a firm clang.
That sound echoed through Ariel’s chest, as if her heart trembled lightly with the strike.
In that instant, scenes from their entire marriage–the good, the bad, all of it–flashed through her mind, frame by frame like branded images. Each one stirred up a tidal wave in her heart.
Once, she had longed for Jayson’s love. Now, all she wanted was to be free from that endless, draining wait and finally break out of the cage that had bound her.
Every stage of it had cost her something–time, emotion, and even pieces of herself.
It wasn’t until Ariel held the document officially ending her marriage to Jayson that her heartbeat finally began to steady.
She didn’t spare Jayson a single glance. She wasn’t curious about what kind of expression he had. Whether he was relieved or regretful, it no longer concerned her.
Ariel opened her bag and started gathering all the paperwork from the process.
The bag was too full, and as she moved things around, a few slips from the hospital slipped out and fell to the floor.
She bent down to pick them up.
But Jayson was already crouching beside her, picking up one of the folded slips with his left hand.
His eyes lowered, sharp and cool, as he glanced at the paper in his hand.
Because it was folded, only a few words peeked through. “Lectomy.”
He didn’t catch the prefix. But it was clearly from a hospital!
Jayson paused, then looked at Ariel. “You went to see your uncle?”
But before he could say more, Ariel snatched the slip from his hand. Her face, small and cold, had the sharp edge
of ice.
“Mr. Larkin, do me a favor. Don’t snoop through my business.”
Especially now that they weren’t even married anymore.
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Chapter 264
+25 BONUS
Ariel offered no explanation and didn’t bother to clarify.
Of course, it made sense for Jayson to ask that. Leonard had been hospitalized for a while and was scheduled for surgery soon.
His liver would be partially removed, then replaced, so it was only natural for Jayson to assume that.
After finishing packing up, Ariel turned and walked away without looking back.
Jayson’s eyes followed her. He caught the moment she paused at the door.
She stared down at the divorce certificate in her hands. And for a split second, the frost on her face melted into a faint smile.
Jayson saw it clearly.
His expression didn’t change. Neither joy nor sorrow stirred in his eyes.
Just then, Edward came over and asked, “Mr. Larkin, do you want to give Ms. Walker a ride? She doesn’t look like she’s doing great today.”
“No need,” Jayson said coolly, not at all interested in any courtesy ride for the ex–wife.
He glanced down at his right arm. The pain had been relentless, seeping through nerves and bone and radiating to every corner of his body. It was impossible to ignore.
Puzzled, Edward asked, “Is something wrong?”
Wasn’t this supposed to be a clean break? What was the harm in giving Ariel a ride?
Jayson finally looked up. His expression gave nothing away. Then he started walking. “No point ruining her good mood.”
Edward blinked, confused, then simply shook his head and let it go.
After reaching the bus stop, Ariel pulled out her SIM card and slotted in a brand–new one.
She stared at the old card for a moment. She had used it for over ten years. It felt strange to let it go, but she was ready for a new life.
With one decisive snap, she broke the card in half and tossed it in the trash.
Ariel checked the time. Lunch hour was creeping up, and she had a 2:00 pm meeting with Perry. Maybe she could sneak in a quick rest.
She had been holding it together ever since leaving the hospital.
As she looked up to call a ride, a familiar black Rolls–Royce Phantom pulled out of the courthouse parking lot across the street.
Ariel frowned. That was Jayson’s car.
But just earlier, she had seen his Maybach parked in the shopping district nearby.
It didn’t take long for her to figure it out.
Nancy must’ve come separately. They hadn’t arrived together at the courthouse. They took two different routes.
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Chapter 264
+25 BONUS
But whatever the details were, it didn’t matter to her anymore.
Just then, her ride pulled up.
Ariel rubbed at her pounding temples and got in.
After a moment’s thought, she sent a message in the group chat she shared with Janice and Chad. “I just picked up the divorce certificate from the courthouse.”
In the car, Toby caught sight of Ariel and instinctively gave a quiet reminder. “Mrs. Larkin… Ms. Walker just got in the car.”
In the back seat, Jayson was holding the divorce certificate, lost in thought..
He only looked up when Toby spoke. His expression was indifferent. Without any particular reaction, he calmly looked away. “Head to the service center at the shopping district.”
Toby nodded and made a U–turn.
The shopping district was only a few blocks away.
Once they arrived, Jayson stepped out of the car and saw a message from Colton. He was already handling the company registration procedures with Nancy.
He had only taken a few steps when he saw a strange caller ID light up on his phone.
Jayson answered calmly, “Who is this?”
Whatever the caller said made him freeze for a beat.
A moment later, he narrowed his eyes and rubbed his thumb over the divorce certificate. “Got it. Confirm…”
The call ended.
Jayson didn’t move.
He suddenly lifted his hand and looked at the divorce certificate. His expression was deep and unreadable as he sank into thought.
Just then, Nancy stepped out of the building. Seeing Jayson she smiled sweetly and waved. “Jayson, over here.”
He finally looked up and started walking toward her. But as he passed by a trash can, he tore the divorce certificate across the section with their names and tossed it in without a second glance.
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