Chapter 26



Belinda’s heart ached at the sight of his weariness.

A lengthy pause filled the room before Belinda finally nodded, saying, “I’ll wait. I promise.”

She recognized that Harold’s birthday was just a month away, and she preferred not to burden him with her and Lucas’s troubles for a while.

“That’s great! You’ve always been the most considerate, Belinda,” Harold said, nodding with a smile that seemed to carry a hidden layer of intention.

He was secretly convinced that a month was enough time for him to make Lucas and Belinda like each other.

After a further conversation about Harold’s well-being, Belinda excused herself from Harold’s room.

Once back in her own room, she reached for her phone and called Lucas, whose number she still knew by heart.

“Hello,” came Lucas’s deep, resonant voice from the other end of the line.

“Harold has given his consent for our divorce,” Belinda said plainly as soon as Lucas answered.

Lucas paused, surprised.

Harold had consented to their divorce?

gⱯlnσν𝓮ℓs﹒𝚌o𝗺 is where stories live Had Belinda really spoken to Harold about the matter?

Before he could formulate a response, Belinda continued, “But Harold wants us to delay the divorce until after his birthday this year.”

Lucas couldn’t help but laugh. “A stalling tactic—Belinda, this must be what you want, isn’t it?” He let out a scoff, adding, “Do you think that in a month, I might change my mind about the divorce?”

Lucas’s words made Belinda momentarily close her eyes in frustration. She took a deep breath to calm herself.

As she reopened her eyes, her gaze had frosted over. “Lucas, if you can get your father to agree to our divorce right now, I’m ready to head to the courthouse today.”

In a resonant tone, Lucas responded, “Believe me, I want to. But just this morning, my mother shared that the doctor issued a new warning—my father’s health has declined, and his asthma attacks have become more frequent. I can’t let him be stressed or trouble him.”

Belinda raised her voice in anger. “Since you know your father’s condition, you should understand that I can’t anger him either. What choice do I have but to comply?”

Her laughter, tinged with sarcasm, filled the air as she added, “Had you made it to the courthouse three years ago, we wouldn’t be in this mess. And yet, you dare to take the moral high ground and accuse me now? Do you really see yourself as someone I can let go of?”

The veins on Lucas’s forehead bulged under the sting of Belinda’s words. He was about to retort when Belinda spoke up again.

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