I Divorced and I Thrived
On their fourth wedding anniversary, Elise Livington tells her husband, Victor Gardner, that she wants a divorce.
Victor's expression darkens, and his gaze goes sharp.
"It's all because I was accompanying Quinn when she was in labor instead of spending time with you, huh?"
Elise replies, "That's right."
Over the past four years, Victor has been traveling between Domavia and Maeveria. During the countless times Elise needs him the most, he's always seen accompanying Quinn, his older brother's widow, and her child, Daniel Gardner.
Three days ago, Quinn returned to Domavia. She and Elise accidentally fell into the pool together. However, Victor's immediate response was to save Quinn first.
When Elise was wrongly accused of hurting Daniel and was forced to kneel on the pebblestone path, Victor outright ignored her plight.
Elise has been in love with him for eight years. Never once has she doubted his love for her.
But now, for the first time ever, she begins doubting the love she has for him.
"That's enough." Victor rips the divorce agreement apart. "I'm doing this for Vaughn's son. I won't spend time with them anymore, if that's what you want."
Elise merely says, "If you shred one document, I'll just print another one. We'll keep this cycle going until you sign the papers."
The cold glint in Victor's eyes is instantly replaced by shock. He quickly grabs Elise's hand afterward.
"You've been with me for eight years—from the time we started dating till we finally got married. Can you even bear to let this relationship go once and for all?"
Elise draws her hand out of Victor's grip calmly. "It's always possible to let anything go."
…
To Victor, the notion of the Earth being flat is more possible than the idea of Elise divorcing him.
They have been together for eight long years, after all. There was once when Elise kneeled outside the Gardner residence in the downpour just so she could get married to him. Heck, she even gave up on the opportunity to further her studies abroad.
She has sacrificed this much for his sake! How can she ever bear to leave him?
But when Victor receives the divorce certificate, he's left stunned.
In the countless days after that, he lets go of his ego and pride as he sinks to one knee outside Elise's residence, his expression filled with plea.
"Please, Elise… Please open the door and let me in…"