Chapter 17: As it turned out, he loved her

The next morning, Alley Houston and Karimba Cellon met each other at the court. Facing the elderly judge, Alley Houston was resolute.

"I am certain that I agree to the divorce without any disputes. Your Honor, please render a quick decision."

Karimba Cellon could already predict Alley Houston's attitude. What he didn't anticipate was his own emotions.

"I want to withdraw the petition," Karimba Cellon suddenly requested, surprising Alley Houston.

"This divorce... I need time to think it over," he continued, looking directly at the judge, hoping for a delighted nod from Alley Houston. However, she responded coldly.

"You have the right to withdraw, and I have the right to file. You can do as you please, but I have decided on the divorce."

Alley Houston's words stunned Karimba Cellon, and for a moment, he felt deeply humiliated. He had come here to win her back, but she showed indifference and detachment. Her firmness even made the elderly judge feel uneasy. Though today's meeting was not intended for reconciliation, he didn't expect to witness a couple parting ways.

"Alley Houston, do you realize what you're saying?" Feeling severely wounded in his pride, Karimba Cellon growled, "Do you want a divorce? Weren't you the one trying every trick to keep me?"

"What's the difference with you?" Alley Houston retorted, crossing her arms. "You've always tried everything to pressure me into signing the divorce papers. Otherwise, you'd file for divorce unilaterally, wouldn't you? I'm just fulfilling your wish!"

Her words contained a touch of mockery, but he couldn't deny that she was right. The one lacking determination was indeed Karimba Cellon. He had been the one wavering in his initial intentions. After today's court ruling, he should have been happy, but at this moment, he felt an inexplicable loss. Especially facing Alley Houston's determination, he felt even more uncomfortable, if not saddened.

The judge looked from Alley Houston to Karimba Cellon, feeling that today's proceedings hadn't achieved the desired results. He spoke, "Please don't criticize me too harshly, but I have this suggestion. You two can think it over. There's still a month until the final ruling, during which you can consider reconciliation and returning to each other. One month isn't a long time, and I believe, Alley Houston, you can accept waiting during this time."

Alley Houston reluctantly agreed to the judge's proposal. After all, a month wasn't an eternity, and she could endure it. Stepping out of the courtroom, Karimba Cellon reached out and took Alley Houston's hand.

"Do you truly want a divorce?" he asked.

Alley Houston couldn't fathom Karimba Cellon's sudden change of heart. From the beginning, he had been adamant about divorce, no matter how much she pleaded or sacrificed her pride and reputation. Yet now, he was the one trying to hold onto her. Alley Houston was exhausted from the endless back-and-forth between them! She snapped back, "What more do you want? I'm worn out! I've done the silliest and most foolish things, and now I refuse to repeat that time again!"

With those words, she jerked her hand away from Karimba Cellon's grasp and walked away in the opposite direction, paying no attention to the fact that he had reached out to touch her. She swiftly made her way out. Karimba Cellon watched her receding figure, feeling an unmistakable sense of loss growing inside him. With the thought of another month passing without her changing her decision, he felt an overwhelming emptiness.

Returning to his mansion, Karimba Cellon found every corner filled with reminders of Alley Houston. Right at the moment she had said she wanted a divorce, he realized he had unknowingly fallen in love with her.

At that very moment, Ryan Dean entered the house from the garden, bringing some food for Karimba Cellon. Karimba Cellon gazed at the colorful dishes on the table, memories of Alley Houston flooding back.

"Sir, are you thinking about Alley?" Ryan Dean suddenly asked, causing Karimba Cellon to feel a bit flustered. He avoided the man's gaze but smiled faintly in response.

"These dishes were made following the recipes Alley left behind. Sir, you should try them," Ryan Dean said.

Karimba Cellon's eyelashes fluttered slightly. He glanced at the familiar dishes on the table and then picked up a piece, and the taste truly resembled Alley Houston's pastries. Ryan Dean watched Karimba Cellon for a while before adding, "In the past, Alley left behind many cooking recipes, and she instructed me to pay attention to your every meal and sleep schedule. Sir, I'm getting old, and I've experienced quite a lot. My advice to you is to cherish Alley and not let her slip away."

With those words, Ryan Dean left Karimba Cellon's room. As he sat there, looking at the familiar dishes laid out before him, he felt overwhelmed with regret.

If only he didn't suffer from that difficult-to-express syndrome, if only he understood each and every one of Alley Houston's pains, perhaps their current situation wouldn't be as sorrowful as it was today.

That night, Karimba Cellon drank heavily. The alcohol made him think more clearly and brought clarity to several matters. Alley Houston hadn't forgotten him, and this month was the perfect time for them to reconcile and return to each other.

With that thought in mind, the next morning, Karimba Cellon drove to Houston's house. He knew Alley Houston didn't visit here often, but he still wanted to meet her parents. Alley Houston's parents were top scientists in the country, and their projects and research always required substantial financial support. Cellon's house was a "golden" sponsor for them. Thus, the marriage between Alley Houston and Karimba Cellon was also a relationship of mutual interest.

"Father, I've come to visit Alley. Do you know if she's at home?" Karimba Cellon asked the middle-aged man sitting in the living room, choosing his words carefully. Mr. Vu Van Lam didn't even glance at him; he kept his eyes fixed on the newspaper and slowly replied, "Isn't Cellon's house always looking down on my daughter, wanting to drive her away?"

Karimba Cellon had anticipated Houston's house's attitude and continued, "Father, this time it's my lack of understanding. I want to meet and talk to Alley. I hope you can help."

Karimba Cellon never expected he would humble himself this way; after all, he was a man of high spirits and pride. Yet, his efforts were met with no encouragement from Mr. Houston. He smiled weakly and replied, "Karimba, even if your relationship with Alley is based on mutual benefit, at least show some minimal respect for each other. How can I advise Alley if you two can't even manage that?"

Mr. Houston firmly set the boundaries with Karimba Cellon, leaving him feeling utterly distressed. Meanwhile, in the dimly lit upstairs room, Alley Houston lay on the ground, facing her mother's wrathful gaze. Ms. Houston gritted her teeth, simultaneously slapping Alley Houston's face and berating her:

"Look at the mess you've made! Your father's and my research has been suspended! How heartless can you be? It's all about financial issues! If you didn't dare to divorce, why would your father and I lose significant funding from Cellon's house?"