The Divorce Bracelet

When Oliver walked in, I was busy packing my bags.

"The court doesn't open until tomorrow. You can put on your show then," Oliver teased, glancing at my phone on the table, reaching for it as if to unlock it.

"Did you change your passcode?"

I had switched it from his birthday to mine, and now he couldn't get in.

"Yep."

He chuckled dismissively, thinking I was just being petty, and turned to head to the kitchen.

Then, his voice came from the kitchen. "Scarlett, didn't I ask Lillian to tell you to make beef stew?

"I'm starving. If you're not cooking, what do you expect me to do?"

I didn't even look up. "Order takeout!"

His frustration was palpable. "Scarlett! You know I can't eat that junk from outside! I was trying to have a decent conversation, but you keep this up! Who are you trying to annoy?"

I zipped up my backpack and fixed him with a steady gaze. "Why should I do what you say? Besides, you seemed to enjoy that street food last night."

His expression froze. "I was just accompanying her..."

"Whatever. I don't want to know," I said, turning to leave.

He blocked my path, pulling a gift box from his coat.

"This is something Lillian insisted on giving you. I hope you'll accept it."

"Why didn't she come to apologize in person?"

Oliver snapped, "She's already making amends, and you're still nitpicking?"

I pressed my lips together and opened the box.

Inside was a cheap plastic bracelet.

Without a second thought, I tossed it into the trash.

His eyes blazed with anger.

"That's Lillian's heartfelt gesture! Do you really have to treat it like this? Scarlett, can you stop being so unforgiving?"

I smiled, "If you like it so much, feel free to dig it out of the trash. After all, it's her 'heartfelt gesture.'"

To my surprise, Oliver actually retrieved the plastic bracelet from the garbage, his expression a mix of hurt and disbelief.

My breath caught in my throat.

He had never cared about anything I gave him.

"No matter how many bracelets you want, I can get you that. I can get you one that's a hundred times more expensive than the one your mother gave you," Oliver said defiantly.

I shook my head. "I don't want anything.

"I just want the original bracelet.

"The one my mom gave me."

He said in frustration, shutting his eyes, "Can you let it go already? It's broken.

"No amount of crying and complaining will bring it back."

His words struck hard.

I retorted, "Is it just the bracelet I care about?"

I had wanted to say more, but my throat felt stuffed, and nothing came out.

I lowered my head and quickly finished packing.

"See you at the court tomorrow," I said quietly.

Oliver scoffed, saying, "If you want to make a scene, go ahead. Do what you want!"

I moved out of the home I had shared with him for seven years.

I found a hotel nearby and started working on my visa.

Vincent was thrilled to hear about my decision to come.

He had asked before, but I couldn't bear the thought of Oliver struggling alone in Chicago, so I had put it off.

The man I had loved for seven years was slowly unraveling before my eyes.

As I looked back on everything Oliver had done, it was clear he was just testing my obedience to him.

Countless instances of emotional coldness had drained my passion, and I had learned to lower my expectations of life with him.

As I traced the broken edge of the bracelet, I thought this might be the last time Miranda was protecting me.

The next day, Oliver and I walked out of the courthouse in silence, the divorce certificate feeling cold and weightless in my hands.

He squeezed the document, glancing at me lazily.

"Now you've got no room to backtrack. Don't expect me to back down."

I nodded. "I don't need it."

As he saw my unwavering composure, Oliver's eyes revealed a flicker of pity.

"Don't be too hard on yourself. If you genuinely want to get back together, just apologize to Lillian."

I replied indifferently, "Not necessary."

He sighed, "Scarlett, why can't you just swallow your pride?

"You've already caved in so many times—what's one more?

"Remember that Europe trip you always wanted to take? Just say a few nice words, and we can get back together in no time.

"If you insist on dragging this out, I'll just go to Europe with Lillian instead."

I suddenly laughed. "Sure, go ahead and take her. I couldn't care less."