I pulled my thoughts back and said calmly, “Lucky is a good dog, but I don’t like him.”
“You used to love dogs!” Hazel’s voice cracked with tears. “You begged me to get one. Have you forgotten all of that?”
“Things change.” I cut her off and shoved the divorce papers into her hands. “Just sign it. Let’s meet at the Civil Affairs Bureau tomorrow at 9 a.m.”
“No! I won’t sign!” Hazel burst into tears and tore the divorce papers to shreds. “Austin, just tell me the truth. Is there something going on? Something you can’t say out loud? Whatever it is, we can get through it together!”
Her tears landed on the back of my hand—hot, desperate, pleading.
A lot of our mutual friends were at the scene. They all knew how madly I had once loved Hazel. To them, my sudden desire for a divorce had to mean something was wrong.
“Exactly, Austin,” my friend Avery clapped a hand on my shoulder, “if something’s going on, just tell us. A couple can get through anything together—why rush into divorce?”
But under the weight of all those concerned eyes, I simply shook my head.
“There’s nothing I’m hiding. I just want out.”
My mother completely lost it then. She pointed at me, tears streaming down her face.
“You chased her for eight years! People laughed at you for being a fool in love. You stood outside her building for three hours in the middle of winter just to deliver a bowl of hot soup. When her dad was in the hospital, you ran around all day handling paperwork until you fell asleep in the hallway. Have you really forgotten all that?”
“I haven’t,” I said, rubbing my temples. “And that’s exactly why I need to end this.”
“What the hell are you thinking? Hazel gives you everything—her heart, her effort. What more do you want?!”
My father slammed his teacup onto the floor, rage and disappointment flashing in his eyes.
“How did our Henderson family raise someone like you? Getting the girl of your dreams, only to throw her away like trash? If you dare go through with this divorce, don’t bother calling yourself part of this family again!”
I looked at him in the eye. “Dad, that threat means nothing to me. I’ve already made up my mind.”
Just then, the sound of a car horn blared downstairs. Hazel’s older brother had arrived.
He was infamous for being overprotective. Back when I was chasing Hazel, he threatened multiple times to break my legs if I didn’t back off.
“Austin, you bastard!” He stormed in, grabbing me by the collar and throwing a punch.
His fist landed squarely on my jaw. I didn’t dodge. The metallic taste of blood spread instantly in my mouth.
“Stop it!” Hazel rushed over and grabbed his arm tightly. “Don’t hit him, please! It’s my fault—it’s all my fault...”
She turned to me, eyes brimming with tears that fell like beads on a broken string.
“Austin, please, stop this madness. Let’s go home. I’ll cook your favorite hangover soup. Don’t you love sweet and sour ribs? I’ll go buy some right now—”
“There’s no need.” I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth and drew a deep breath, trying to keep my voice steady.
“Hazel, I don’t have feelings for you anymore.”
“No feelings?” Her voice broke like glass. She looked at me as if I had said the most absurd thing in the world. “Austin, don’t forget—it was you who chased after me relentlessly. And now it’s you who’s begging for a divorce. What do you take me for?”
Voices rose around us, all condemning me—friends, family, everyone. Their accusations hit me like waves crashing down, but I didn’t flinch.
Because my mind was made up.
I said nothing more and walked away.
That night, I planned to stay at a hotel for a few days. But when I checked my phone and bank cards, I realized my balance was nearly zero.
