Paper Divorce She Chose Her First Love, So I Left Forever

Before my mother passed away, she begged for a grandchild. My wife refused because she despised children. Yet when her first love returned from abroad holding a little girl and posted on Instagram about wanting to give her a home, my proudly childfree wife beamed with joy. "Ethan, Julian’s daughter is crying for her mommy. She even tried to hurt herself. Let's get a paper divorce for just a month so I can comfort her, okay?" "Once she’s stable, we'll remarry immediately and spend the rest of our lives together." Looking at the child who bore an uncanny resemblance to my wife, my heart turned to ash. I nodded. She had no idea that my mentor had been urging me to join an indefinite, classified defense research program in the remote desert. After signing the divorce papers, I submitted my application. From that mission, there would be no return date. "Ethan, just give me one month. We’ll remarry in thirty days, okay?" "Until then, stay here." Victoria’s eyes were filled with tenderness as she handed me the deed to a luxury penthouse. Holding our divorce papers, I wasn’t surprised by the lavish gift. After all, she only bought it so I would move out faster. She was bringing her first love, Julian, and his daughter into our home. She didn't want them getting jealous seeing me around. Before our marriage, Victoria had entangled herself with plenty of men, but Julian was the only one she never truly let go of. The moment Julian posted that he wanted to give his child a home, she demanded a divorce so she could play happy family with him. Yet when my mother was on her deathbed wishing for a grandchild, Victoria coldly stood by and did nothing. While I was arranging my mother's funeral, she even flew across the ocean just to pick Julian up from the airport. A bitter lump rose in my throat. Our seven-year relationship was finally over. "No need. It’s only a month, right? I can find a hotel." "Don't worry. I'll move out as fast as I can." So I wouldn't have to see things I shouldn't. Hearing this, Victoria looked at me lovingly. She laced her fingers through mine. "No. Even if it's just for a month, I won’t let my husband settle for less." "Take it. It was supposed to be your seventh anniversary gift. But on our anniversary, I promised Chloe I’d take her to Disneyland, so I won't be able to spend it with you." My heart sank even deeper. So, she did remember that our seventh wedding anniversary was coming up. I had spent three months preparing for it. She had promised to clear her schedule for me. Now, she was ditching me to take Julian's daughter to Disneyland. I took the deed and said flatly, "Okay. Thanks for the gift. I'll pack my things and leave." Victoria bit her lip, looking sheepish. "Ethan... Chloe said she didn't like your stuff, so I threw it all away. I just wired you a million dollars. Go buy whatever you want." Threw it all away? My lips trembled in disbelief. "Even the aircraft carrier model my dad built before he died? You threw that away too?" That model was the only keepsake my father left behind. It was priceless to me. Victoria knew that better than anyone. Surely she wouldn't throw that away? Victoria shifted uncomfortably and forced a smile. "I didn't throw it out... but Chloe accidentally smashed it." "She didn't mean to. I tried gluing the pieces back together, but I couldn't..." She kept explaining, but I didn't want to hear it. I ran into our bedroom. Everything familiar had vanished. Our wedding photos were gone. My clothes were gone. Every trace of my existence had been wiped clean. None of that mattered to me. The only thing I cared about was my father's keepsake. And now, my most treasured possession lay shattered in a neglected corner, reduced to worthless trash. Holding back tears, I knelt down and picked up the shattered pieces, one by one. "Mommy, who is that? Why is he in our house picking up garbage?" "Is he a dumpster diver?"Julian walked in, holding the hand of an eight-year-old girl. Victoria, who had always hated children, immediately scooped Chloe into her arms. Radiating maternal warmth, she said gently, "He's not a dumpster diver, sweetheart. That’s Uncle Ethan. Say hi to Uncle Ethan." The little girl pouted. "I don't want a homeless trash-picker for an uncle." A flash of triumph gleamed in Julian’s eyes, though his tone was mockingly polite. "Chloe, where are your manners? Ethan, she’s just a kid. You wouldn't hold a grudge against a child, would you?" "By the way, thank you for stepping aside so Victoria and I could be together." Clutching the broken fragments against my chest, I stood up and looked at their picture-perfect family of three. I let out a self-deprecating laugh. "Of course not. She’s right. I really am here picking up trash." "See? Isn't this trash in my arms?" Victoria's eyes flashed with guilt. "Ethan, don't be mad at a child. Leave the model with me. I'll spend whatever it takes to hire the best restorers to fix it, okay?" I shook my head, my heart completely numb. "No need. Once something is broken, it's broken." Even if repaired, it would never be the same. Victoria breathed a sigh of relief. Glancing down at the girl in her arms, she smiled softly. "Good. I was worried you’d be upset. Look at her, Ethan. Doesn't she look just like me? It's almost like she came from my own womb." "Oh, right, I promised Chloe I’d take her out for a nice lunch, so..." Before she could finish, I nodded. "Yeah. I'm leaving right now." The child truly looked like Victoria's spitting image. And her age matched up far too well. My heart was thoroughly dead. I turned to walk away. Before stepping out, I offered my blessing: "Happy marriage to both of you. And little girl, I wish you a happy, healthy life." Carrying the fragments to my car, I texted my mentor. "I accept the offer. I'll join the indefinite classified research camp in the desert next month." ... Victoria and I met at a university-industry tech summit. Back then, I was a rising star in naval engineering; she was an infamous, flirtatious heiress in the business world. Yet from the moment she saw me, she claimed it was love at first sight. She cut ties with every fling, chasing me relentlessly. Eventually, I gave in. Her family was vehemently against our union. My parents were ordinary farmers, nowhere near her elite social standing. Yet Victoria threatened to end her life if she couldn't marry me. That was how we ended up at the altar. Thinking back now, I couldn't help but laugh at myself. Even the fiercest love had an expiration date. It was time for me to go. Putting the broken pieces in my car, I drove to Victoria's grandmother's house. When everyone opposed us, Nana was the only one who supported me. Since I was leaving for good, I had to say goodbye. Nana was thrilled to see me. "Ethan, weren't you just here the day before yesterday? What brought you back so soon?" Before I could answer, a loud voice boomed from the entrance. "Mom! Victoria finally divorced that nobody Ethan and got together with the Hayes family's young heir!" "Come look at your great-granddaughter! She looks exactly like Victoria!" My father-in-law walked in excitedly holding Chloe. The moment he spotted me, his face darkened. "What are you doing here? Get the hell out! You're no son-in-law of the Vance family anymore." Nana gasped. "What? Ethan, you and Victoria got divorced?" I kept silent and merely nodded. My father-in-law had always despised me. He finally got what he wanted. Just then, Victoria and Julian walked in, holding hands. Seeing me, Victoria panicked and ripped her hand away from Julian's grip. "Ethan! My dad doesn't know about our temporary separation. Don't misunderstand!" Did he not know, or did she intentionally keep quiet? A temporary divorce was just an excuse anyway. I shook my head. "It's fine. I just came to visit Nana. Since you're all here, I should get going." I turned to Nana. "Goodbye, Nana." Ignoring her desperate pleas for me to stay, I walked out. Behind me, Nana slammed her cane, screaming, "Get out! All of you, get out! Ethan is the only grandson-in-law I acknowledge!" "And take that brat with you! I only want Ethan's children! Get lost, you ungrateful wretches!" Chloe burst into frantic tears. Victoria immediately panicked. "Nana! I didn't ask you to accept Julian right away! I just brought Chloe to meet her great-grandmother! Was that really worth terrifying a child over?!" "Julian, let's go!" Fuming, Victoria stormed out with the girl in her arms, bumping straight into me by the gate. "Eth—Ethan? You haven't left yet?""Just leaving. Replying to a text." My mentor had messaged: "Are you completely sure? This is an indefinite classified project. Once you step inside, you will have zero contact with the outside world. Are you really willing to leave your sweet wife behind?" I was about to reply when Victoria spoke up coldly: "Ethan, can you stop coming to my grandmother's place? Chloe gets upset every time she sees you. You know she's emotionally fragile right now." Looking at her with a calm expression, I typed "Yes" to my mentor. Then I looked up at her. "I'm sorry. I won't come here ever again." This scene felt hauntingly familiar. Except once upon a time, I was the one standing beside her while she fiercely defended me against everyone else. I started the engine and drove away. In my rearview mirror, I caught a glimpse of Victoria's panicked, helpless gaze, but I didn't look back. In a daze, I found myself driving past the food street near our old university. I pulled over and walked down the sidewalk. When we first started dating, I hadn't graduated yet and was dead broke. Every date we had took place right here, at these cheap street stalls. "Mommy, Daddy, I want that candied fruit!" A crisp voice snapped me out of my memories. Three familiar figures strolled toward me. Victoria, Julian, and Chloe were wearing matching family outfits, smiles plastered across their faces. Chloe spotted me. A mocking smirk crossed her face as she yelled: "Look, it's the dumpster diver! What are you doing here? Looking for trash?" Before I could react, Julian rushed forward, putting on a pitiful, victimized face. "Ethan, Chloe's mental state is hanging by a thread right now. Victoria finally calmed her down. Could you please stop stalking us and triggering her?" "I'm begging you, okay?" Victoria walked over with Chloe, her expression complicated. "Julian, take Chloe to buy her treat. Let me talk to Ethan for a moment." Once they walked away, Victoria turned to me, exasperation written all over her face. "Ethan, I'm already exhausted taking care of a kid. Why do you keep following us? Didn't we agree to remarry in a month?" "Can we just give each other some space and go no-contact for a bit?" Hearing this, my heart went completely cold. My voice sounded hollow and raspy. "Fine. No contact from now on." Victoria froze, suddenly clutching my sleeve. "I didn't mean forever! I meant just for this month! Ethan, stop overthinking." "I swear, in thirty days, I will come straight back to remarry you. No one can ever replace you in my heart." "Oh, and didn't you always want a baby? Being with Chloe made me realize kids aren't as terrifying as I thought. Once we remarry, we can have our own baby, okay?" I lowered my eyes and nodded faintly. "Whatever you say. I'll leave now so Chloe doesn't get upset." I kept Victoria's condition. For the entire month, I never contacted her once. Instead, I watched her daily life unfold on Instagram. "At Disneyland with my husband and daughter today." "My little princess wanted a homemade cake, so I spent three days trying to bake one... Total disaster! Buying a bakery one instead." "Our little girl insisted on a family portrait. It's been so long since I wore a wedding dress; I could barely zip it up." Staring at the family portrait where she wore a white bridal gown, a sharp sting hit my nose. My phone rang. It was Victoria. "Ethan, can we push our remarriage date back by three days?" "I miss you so, so much. But Chloe's birthday is coming up, and I want to celebrate it with her first." "By the way, she's in a much better mood lately. Why don't you come to her birthday party too?" Attending the birthday party of my wife and another man's daughter? I couldn't stomach it. Besides, I was leaving. I was dedicating my life to my country's defense, disappearing into the classified sector. Every trace of my identity in the civilian world would be wiped clean. Victoria would never be able to find me again. "No thanks. Enjoy your time with Julian and Chloe." My tone was probably too icy, because Victoria immediately detected something was wrong. "Why aren't you coming? We haven't seen each other in a month! Don't you miss me at all?!" "I checked the home security cameras. Why aren't you at the penthouse? Where are you?!" Toward the end, her voice broke into sobs. "I..." *HOOOONK—!!* The loud blare of a departing high-speed bullet train horn interrupted me. "Why do I hear a train horn? Ethan, are you at the train station?! Where are you going?! Why didn't you tell me?!" "We agreed this was only temporary! How could you leave without saying goodbye?! Please don't go! Wait for me! I'm coming to find you right now!" "I can't—" Before she could finish, I cut her off. "Goodbye, Victoria." A thousand words choked in my throat, yet all that came out was a final farewell. With stinging eyes, I ended the call. Casting one last glance at the city where our story unfolded, I stepped onto the train. Just as the boarding gates closed, a trending notification popped up on my phone: *A black Maybach is running multiple red lights at breakneck speed, speeding recklessly toward the central train terminal!* That car... looked exactly like Victoria's.