After Ten Years of Marriage, I Decided to Give Up

I went back to Roger's house to collect his things.

Daily necessities were few, so I quickly tidied up.

However, the sheer volume of documents in his study left me in a dilemma.

Roger fell ill suddenly this time, so many of his horizontal projects had not been handed over.

I realized I hadn't added many of his students on WhatsApp.

It had always been Daniel contacting those students.

Daniel, my father's proud disciple, had stayed at Hensen University after obtaining his Ph.D.

Roger had provided him with many project resources, so despite his young age, Daniel's projects were even better than those of many senior professors.

The academic conference he was currently attending even bore my father's name.

It seemed best to contact him for the project handover.

After much deliberation, I called him.

Still, there was no answer.

After seven or eight attempts, I gave up.

"The number you have dialed is currently busy. Please try again later..."

I knew that voice too well.

The calls not going through didn't anger me as they used to.

I just felt tired now.

I got one of Roger's colleagues to collect his documents.

It was from his colleague that I learned Daniel was attending an overseas conference in collaboration with the neighboring university.

The person in charge there was Barbara, who had also gone abroad for the conference.

It all clicked in my mind instantly.

No wonder it was Barbara who answered my call earlier.

Her voice dripped with arrogance.

"Daniel's busy. His phone is with me. If you need anything, you can tell me."

"My father's in the ICU. Please tell him to hurry back..."

I was cut off before I could finish.

"Understood, he's about to go on stage."

"Do you need anything else?"

Impatience crept into her tone.

"Nothing much, just a divorce. Let him know when he's back."

It was a week later when I saw Daniel again.

Leaving the college principal, Logan Willams' office at the school, I bumped into him.

Logan had called me over specifically.

According to school policy, he said I could work there if I wanted.

Logan warmly advised me to consider it at home and escorted me to the door.

At the entrance, I saw Daniel.

"What are you doing here?"

He bypassed me and greeted Logan directly.

"Hello, Mr. Willams."

"Daniel, if I remember correctly, you two are a couple. When you go back, help your wife consider the job offer."

He nodded and followed Logan into the office.

I bid Logan goodbye politely and slipped away from his gaze.

Unexpectedly, Daniel suddenly called out to me.

"Wait for me; we'll go back together."

I was stunned.

For me, not seeing him for a week felt like ages had passed.

Yet, he remained the same, his tone unchanged.

Though his words sounded caring, they felt chilling.

"Okay," I agreed.

Not wanting to embarrass him in front of Logan and needing to discuss the divorce, I waited for him in the office.

After half an hour, tired of waiting, I told him I'd take a cab back.

Little did I expect a sudden downpour outside.

As I hesitated at the door about going back, Daniel and Logan approached.

"Louisa, are you waiting for Daniel to go home together? They're having a team dinner tonight. Mind if I join for a meal?"

I shook my head. Since I wasn't going, why would I mind?

Daniel escorted Logan to his car and then hurried back to me.

"Louisa, sorry for not replying to your messages earlier. I was busy.

"The gathering later, Logan will be there. It wouldn't be right if you didn't go."

It was because he was concerned about Logan's impression of him that he insisted I attend.

Watching Daniel's anxious demeanor as he looked down, I couldn't bear to refuse.

"Okay, I'll go."

I compromised once more, not for anything else, just to part on good terms.

Daniel cared a lot about his work, and I didn't want to cause him embarrassment.

As we got into the car, I noticed Barbara sitting in the front passenger seat.

Daniel turned to explain, "Bella has helped me a lot with a recent project, so she's here today."

Seeing me waiting by the car, Daniel seemed to be in a quandary.

He said, "Bella, why don't you sit in the back..."

"Louisa, sorry about this. I'm used to sitting here. I'll switch with you," Barbara said, but she made no move to change seats.

Before they could argue further, I just sat in the back directly.

I shook my head, reminding Daniel that if we didn't leave soon, we'd miss Logan's car.

I'd been through this before.

I insisted on sitting in the front passenger seat once, and the result was Daniel scolding me at home.

He said I lacked propriety all for a seat and questioned me if it was necessary.

Now, it seemed it really wasn't necessary.

I sat quietly in the back, watching the heavy rain outside.

I was torn about whether to take the job at Hensen University.

Logan mentioned both administrative and teaching positions were available, but he leaned towards the administrative role, given the higher demands of the teaching position.

I understood Logan's implication.

Anyone could get into an administrative role, but teaching required real talent.

Seeking Daniel's advice about school matters would undoubtedly be better.

However, looking at the two in front of me, I didn't even want to speak.

Barbara was trying hard to start a conversation, but this time, Daniel, unusually, ignored her.

Instead, he kept glancing at me through the rearview mirror, steering the conversation towards me.

Unfortunately, this time, I didn't want to engage with him.