"Xia Manxi, I want a divorce. The words left his lips as if he could no longer take it.
The room became uncomfortably silent.
Xia Manxi was seated at her dresser, brushing her hair. She paused, and the hairbrush in her hand dropped to the ground.
Chen Minghao sighed, then sat on the bed, avoiding her face. "I know I made a promise to you and that I am breaking it, but we cannot go on like this anymore."
Xia Manxi's hands were trembling, but despite herself, she stood up slowly and walked to her husband, who was clearly avoiding her gaze.
A lone tear fell down her cheek.
"Did I do something wrong? Tell me what it is." She asked in a hoarse voice.
There was no response. He only sat there with his two hands clasped together, as if he were deep in thought.
He had been distant lately. She had noticed and believed that it was because of his grief that he pushed her away. She had hope that he would eventually come around, and things would go back to the way they were.
The way they were before their baby died.
She had also struggled, but he had always been with her. He never complained and took care of her. What had changed?
Xia Manxi began to cry. Her tears flowed more freely, and she choked back a sob.
As she was struggling to compose herself, Chen Minghao sighed.
"Manxi, don't do this now. It is something I had already decided a while back. I only came back to get my things. The lawyer will be here tomorrow."
Chen Minghao stood up and turned to the closet, but Xia Manxi hugged his waist, making him pause with resignation.
"There must be a reason for this; you need to tell me why!" She said between sobs, unwilling to let go of Chen Minghao.
Chen Minghao slowly pried her hands away. "It is not your fault. This is just the best decision for the two of us."
Xia Manxi dashed and stood in front of him, blocking him from entering the closet.
"How could you just decide for both of us? I do not even know the reason for all of this!"
Chen Minghao sidestepped her and entered the closet. Xia Manxi was slightly dazed, watching him haphazardly pack a suitcase. A thought entered her mind, and it sent her into overdrive.
"Do you have someone else?!"
Chen Minghao froze for a moment, then continued to pack.
Xia Manxi rushed forward and due to her speed, his elbow hit her in the chest causing her to cry out in pain.
Chen Minghao picked her up almost immediately and carried her back into the room. He set her down on the bed and pursed his lips.
Manxi, you do not need to do this, like I said before, none of this is your fault. You don't need to think too deeply about this."
Xia Manxi's eyes were red at this point. "Are you actually in love with someone else?"
"Xia Manxi, no. Are you happy now?" Chen Minghao bit out.
"What kind of question is that? You know full well that that is not the problem!"
"If you are worried about Second uncle coming after you, you needn't be so worried."
Snap!
Chen Minghao's face tilted to the side. Xia Manxi regretted slapping him immediately after. He, however, walked away from her without another word. Xia Manxi followed him again.
"Are you deliberately being obtuse with me? Do you really think that is the reason I am so upset? Chen Minghao, I lo-
"I do not love you; that is the reason for my request."
Xia Manxi's face became terribly pale. "Wh-what did you say?"
Chen Minghao closed the small suitcase that he had packed. "Exactly what you heard. When we got married, I promised that I would try to make you happy. I did not realize that doing that included reciprocating your love. I am sorry. Do not worry, you will most definitely not be treated badly in this divorce."
"So you never loved me? Was it all an act? To what end?" Xia Manxi asked, her voice hoarse.
Chen Minghao took the suitcase and began to leave. Xia Manxi approached him again.
"Don't. Let's end on amicable terms. Please."
Xia Manxi's hands dropped to her side silently. He did not spare her another glance and walked away, leaving Xia Manxi staring at the doorway with a blank expression on her face.
*#*#*
Xia Manxi had been sitting there alone for 15 minutes. Her mind was still blank, as if everything that had happened these past few weeks was nothing but a dream. She drank her iced coffee from a straw mechanically. It was already late in the afternoon, and that was all she had taken in. Chen Lihua was sure to complain when they saw each other, but Xia Manxi could not bring herself to care. She had wanted to do nothing more than to sleep until she was set to leave, but Chen Lihua insisted on seeing her one last time.
She saw her sister the moment she entered the café. She looked vibrant and beautiful, the total opposite of Xia Manxi, who somehow had dark circles even after sleeping all day.
Chen Lihua's smile grew wider as she also spotted Xia Manxi. Her smile had somehow turned into a scowl by the time she had taken her seat opposite her sister.
"Liar." She said, crossing her arms with a stern expression.
Xia Manxi averted her gaze, keeping her eyes inside the glass containing her coffee.
"From the way you look, the whole thing about this divorce being mutual was a huge lie. Don't you dare deny it."
Xia Manxi did not respond, and the table fell to silence.
"Xixi, are you okay? You told me everything was fine, but you look terrible."
"It really was a mutual divorce. I just came down with the flu last night, that is all."
Chen Lihua rolled her eyes at her. "I don't believe you. Tell me what really happened."
Xia Manxi slumped in her seat. "Nothing happened. He just stopped loving me. Oh, wait, that is even wrong. He never loved me in the first place."
Chen Lihua furrowed her brows. "That is not true, everyone could see-
Xia Manxi raised her hands to stop Chen Lihua from continuing.
"I don't want to keep talking about him. I only agreed to see you because I am leaving."
Chen Lihua's face turned solemn. "But you are going to be all alone! Can I not make you stay?"
Xia Manxi shook her head apologetically. "I am sorry I won't be at your wedding, but you already know why I cannot make it."
"Fine, then let me just see you off at the airport."
"Chen Lihua, no. We absolutely should not be seen together. I don't want Mother accusing me of being a leech again."
"That's not-
"Chen Lihua, please save it. You know you were just about to lie again. You will always be my sister, but I want nothing to do with the Chen family."
Xia Manxi had always been an unwanted child in the Chen family, and her mother spared no effort to hide the fact. It was time for everything to fall in place and for everything to go into its rightful place.
Chen Lihua looked down at her lap. "I am so sorry I could not do anything."
Xia Manxi smiled wryly. "Do not worry about it at all. It's time for me to leave."
With that, Xia Manxi got up and took her handbag. In the next moment, she was enveloped in a bone-crushing hug.
"I am going to miss my baby sister so much. Xixi, promise me you will come and visit me in the future, okay?"
"Alright." She said as she patted Chen Lihua's back with a smile.
She knew it was wrong to lie, but it was the only way.
She was never returning to S city.