Chapter 9
From that day forward, the end of my marriage to Alexander became public knowledge.
Not only did friends and family bombard me with all sorts of concerned messages, but the entire internet was buzzing:
“Will this power couple really split up?”
“Do you actually believe that? Their interests are so deeply intertwined, there’s no way they’ll just break up.”
“I bet in the next episode, they’ll make up!”
But only I knew for certain: this marriage was truly over.
I flew to the other side of the world.
I spent two weeks clearing my mind by a quiet mountain lake.
I let go of the past, some burdens, and some emotions.
During this time, Alexander called me three times, which was unheard of.
The first call was full of anger, demanding to know what I meant by moving out and warning me not to regret it.
The second call was demanding, asking where I was and if I was just playing some game of hard-to-get.
The third call was strangely conciliatory, asking when I would go for a prenatal checkup and offering to go with me.
His tone shifted from anger to pleading, but he never mentioned divorce.
And then, I received his fourth call.
“Olivia, where’s that shirt you gave me last year? I can’t find it.”
I took a deep breath. “Alexander, listen carefully.”
“From now on, where your shirt is, where your tie is, where you are, where your heart is, it’s none of my business anymore.”
“The only reason I haven’t blocked your number is because we still need to settle the divorce.”
There was a pause on the other end, his voice growing frustrated.
“Olivia, haven’t you had enough of this tantrum after all these days?”
“You’re not a child anymore.”
“Don’t you know how deeply entangled we are? The family, the stocks, me, the baby, how can you just walk away from all of this?”
“Your little act is getting out of hand! Know your limits!”
His harsh words only made me feel absurd.
Then, the absurdity gave way to deep sorrow.
It turned out, he wasn’t doubting my love at all, he was too sure of it.
And that’s why he had always been so fearless.
After a long silence, I couldn’t help but mock him lightly:
“Alexander, do you know? Chasing and clinging desperately just turns you into a joke.”
With that, I hung up the phone.
