Lost in the Forest of Clouds

"Who were you talking to?"

Serene stepped into the kitchen when Allen hadn't returned, finding him staring at his phone, lost in thought.

He snapped back to reality and replied calmly, "No one."

That night, as silence settled over the house, Allen lay awake, staring at the ceiling. Beside him, Serene's soft breathing barely stirred the air. Sleep eluded him completely.

---

The next morning, Serene frowned at the breakfast spread on the table.

"You know I don't like eggs benedict. Why did you make this today?"

Allen kept his eyes down, cutting into his food methodically.

"We're running low on groceries."

It wasn't true. The fridge was well-stocked with her usual breakfast items, but Allen was already preparing for his new life, one meal at a time.

Thankfully, Serene didn't question him further. She placed her phone on the table, checking it frequently, clearly anticipating a message.

He didn't need to ask who she was waiting to hear from.

Her phone buzzed, and she snatched it up immediately. Whatever Will had sent brought a rare smile to her usually composed face, her lips curving with genuine warmth.

Allen watched her for a moment before pulling out the divorce papers he'd prepared. Since signing that contract with her mother, he'd known this day would come. Finally, it would all be over.

"Serene, I want a divorce."

His voice was steady, as casual as discussing the weather.

Absorbed in her conversation with Will, Serene barely registered his words. "Okay," she mumbled absently.

Allen wasn't surprised. For five years, this detached indifference had been her default response to him. Now that Will was back, even her minimal attention had disappeared completely.

He turned to the final page and slid the document across the table with a pen. "Sign here," he said, indicating the line.

"Mm." She signed without looking, one hand still typing on her phone.

"There's a thirty-day waiting period," Allen said evenly. "After that, I'll be gone."

"Mm," she replied, standing to leave.

Watching her walk away, Allen called after her.

"Serene, did you hear what I just said?"

She turned back, looking confused.

"Wasn't it about the charity donation to the orphanage? The paperwork you mentioned last week?"

Allen laughed quietly to himself. The donation papers? She'd signed those a month ago. She hadn't heard a word he'd said.

But it didn't matter anymore.

Be happy with Will, Serene.

He managed a slight smile. "Never mind."

---

That afternoon, Allen drove behind the delivery truck to the orphanage, supervising the donation drop-off.

After everything was unloaded, he went to speak with the director in her office.

"I'm leaving for graduate school abroad," he told her.

The director, who had been like a mother to him, beamed. "Allen, that's wonderful! I remember how disappointed we all were when you turned down that opportunity years ago."

Her smile faded slightly. "But... what about Serene? Long-distance relationships are so difficult."

Allen gazed out the window at the children playing in the yard, his expression calm.

"It won't be long-distance. We're getting divorced."

The director froze before letting out a heavy sigh.

"I had my suspicions back then. A marriage can't last if only one person is invested. If she truly loved you, she would have visited the home with you at least once in all these years. This is probably for the best."

She reached out and squeezed his shoulder gently. "You deserve better, Allen."

Allen smiled as he returned her hug.

Yes, this was for the best.