Chapter 2. Divorce Proceedings

The afternoon after the incident, Angeline returned home. She came not to see Harry but to pick up the things left behind at her husband’s house.

She hurriedly took her clothes and jewelry, and even when Harry approached and asked her, Angeline did not answer. Her face was sour, with hidden emotions.

“Angeline!” Harry stepped after the woman, who was now carrying a large suitcase. She was walking towards the car she had brought. The white car belongs to Daniel, Angeline’s lover.

“Angeline!” called Harry once again while reaching for his wife’s hand, but a moment later Angeline rejected it.

“What do you really want, Harry? Isn’t everything clear? We’re getting a divorce!” Angeline’s face turned red, and there was a flash of anger in her brown eyes.

Harry stood frozen. Once again, there was that snap coming from his fragile heart.

“Leave my life alone; I’ve had enough of living with you.” Angeline spoke again, but this time Harry wasn’t just silent; he chimed in.

“Did you change that easily, Angeline? You’d rather choose that stranger than me, who’s been with you all this time?” Harry smiled sadly with teary eyes.

Angeline looked away. She couldn’t bear to look at Harry anymore, so she decided to leave immediately.

“Is it because you knew I was going bankrupt that you left me?” Harry shouted slightly as he said that sentence, negative thoughts affecting him.

Angeline’s footsteps suddenly stopped, and hearing the question wrapped in sarcasm from her husband made Angeline surprised.

“You know that I’ve been struggling with money; my company is on the verge of collapse. Instead of supporting me, you play crazy behind my back,” Harry added. “Is your lover a rich man? Ah, apparently, yes.”

Angeline turned her head with a sharp gaze, her eyes already watering and her breath rising and falling with emotion.

“You—”

“Now I realize you stayed with me all this time just because you wanted my money. How stupid of me to marry a woman who doesn’t love me; she only loves my wallet.”

“Harry!”

“Go away, Angeline. Besides, I can’t force you to stay here; you have the right to choose another man to help you buy the branded bags and clothes you want. I can no longer fulfill your shopping hobby.” Sharp and decisive, Harry spoke with a sharp sentence, surprising Angeline with rounded eyes, then stomped and left as quickly as possible.

The car drove away from his yard, with Harry watching as it disappeared around the corner.

The handsome man let out a long breath. He swallowed bitterly, as bitter as his current life.

His wife’s departure was a sign that they would soon be separated.

***

The day had finally arrived, and a man and a woman sat in their respective seats before the judges. Harry and Angeline were attending their divorce hearing.

There were no obstacles; everything went smoothly and as it should. It was as if both were ready to go their separate ways and live their own lives after this.

The judge tapped his gavel, and Harry and Angeline were finally legally divorced, witnessed by several people who were present.

A wide smile full of satisfaction appeared on Angeline’s face; the woman with long black hair looked happy. It seemed that divorcing Harry had been her dream all along, which was finally realized.

Unlike Harry, the man was silent and expressionless. Neither sad nor happy. Harry just couldn’t believe what he was experiencing.

Since their arrival in the room, there was not the slightest smile or greeting from Angeline; on the contrary, the woman had a sour face full of hatred. However, look at her now; Angeline looks very happy after the judge tapped his gavel.

There was not the slightest smile on Angeline’s lips for Harry, not even a word of farewell from him. Angeline just walked away after the trial was over; she went to see her lover, who was also a witness, even though Daniel had to endure the pain around his face from Harry’s punch some time ago.

Harry sighed, still silent in the chair, contemplating what mistakes he had actually made, so trials and problems came endlessly.

In an instant, Harry and Angeline’s marriage was destroyed by a third person. The marriage that Harry had thought would be fine turned out to have a secret.

Harry thought his true love ended with Angeline, but that wasn’t the case. She betrayed him, cheating on him with a stranger she’d only just met.

Harry returned home. He walked into the house, which now looked very quiet. The large and imposing building was now only occupied by him and his family.

The man stepped closer to a photo frame displayed in the living room; it was his wedding photo with Angeline two years ago. Harry looked dashing in a navy suit and shiny black loafers, while next to him stood a beautiful woman. Angeline, smiling widely with a happy face, said the white dress she wore made her look like a queen on her wedding day.

Harry swallowed with mixed feelings the disappointment and pain he was currently feeling. The wound in his heart because of his wife’s betrayal created new emotions in the man’s chest.

Anger and resentment.

Harry clenched his fists, his face flushed with a hardened jaw. His hawk-like gaze was fixed on Angeline’s face in the photo. Harry no longer loved her; on the contrary, the man hated Angeline. The feelings in his heart changed that quickly since the hammer was knocked down by the judge some time ago.

“I hate you, Angeline. I hate you.” The words came from Harry’s lips, sounding soft and trembling slightly as if they came from the bottom of his heart.

There was no longer a shady look in the man’s bluish beard; now deep resentment and anger were hidden there. There was no longer genuine love in Harry’s heart, for the wound had made hatred and revenge dominate his feelings.

Harry no longer believed in true love; for him, it was all just a game that had no meaning.

The next morning, Harry returned to work. However, unlike the usual day, this morning all employees gathered in front of Harry’s office. Harry is the President Director, and heir to the Waston Group, the company built by his late father. Harry is responsible for all the commotion this morning.

The noise of Harry’s workers demanding their salaries simultaneously makes people want to resign, knowing that the company is heading towards bankruptcy.

Harry had a new problem to face, and it wasn’t easy for him. The man chose to hide first before facing his workers out there.