Elisa took the glass and took a sip before bursting into laughter.
“Was what I said that funny?” Elisa couldn’t understand why she was laughing so much, to the point of tears.
Elisa put down the glass in her hand and said, “Yes, it’s hilarious. These six years have been a joke, a complete and utter joke.”
She had loved Hamish cautiously all along, even giving Lila her blood to save her life. But today, she finally realized that it was Hamish who didn’t deserve her love.
He didn’t deserve her love, and she had already repaid her debt.
“I want to sleep peacefully alone tonight.” Elisa’s clear eyes gave Hamish a shiver, but he didn’t think much of it. After all, Elisa had been cold towards him for quite some time now.
He wanted to hold Elisa, but looking at her icy expression, fear began to creep into his heart.
“Elisa, I know you’re angry at me, but I had to save Lila.”
Elisa’s gaze remained calm. “I’m not angry. I’m satisfied that I can divorce you and receive eight hundred million in alimony. I just want some quiet tonight. Don’t worry, I won’t change my mind. Tomorrow, I will definitely save your savior.” She emphasized the last four words.
Elisa’s eyes remained as cold as ever, but he could clearly sense something burning in her eyes.
Hamish realized that he had lost something important, and by the time he wanted to desperately salvage it, it was already too late.
He left the bedroom, leaving the space to Elisa.
As soon as he left, Elisa’s tears began to flow uncontrollably. She wiped her tears, her gaze filled with sadness. She and Hamish were destined to miss each other.
Hamish turned on the computer and looked at the surveillance video. He couldn’t help but worry about Elisa.
He thought Elisa would go to sleep as soon as he left, but he didn’t expect her to continue crying by the bedside.
Watching the surveillance video, Hamish felt his heart tighten more and more, as if it was slowly decaying.
He shifted his gaze and took a few deep breaths to suppress the strange pain. Why did Elisa cry when he finished telling her about the incident six years ago when he fell into the water and was saved? Was it because she still cared about him?
The rain outside was falling heavily. Based on the weather, it probably wouldn’t stop raining tomorrow either.
He called the kidnapper, but they didn’t answer. After a while, an unknown number called him.
“Mr. Burns, have you made your decision after calling so late?”
“Send me the time and address.” Hamish didn’t waste any words.
“It seems like you’ve decided to exchange your wife for your lover.” The other person chuckled meaningfully. “The time is 6 p. m. in the evening. As for the address, someone will deliver it to you. Just remember to bring the money.”
“Fine, I’ll have Elisa bring the money, but tell Lukas that if he dares to harm anyone, I’ll make sure you pay with your lives!” Hamish’s tone was dark.
“Mr. Burns, now that you’ve chosen what’s in front of you, don’t think about what’s in the pot. There’s no such thing as having it all in this world. Since you gave up on Elisa, and seeing what awaits Lila in the video, you should know what’s coming for her. Do you find it funny that you’re telling me not to harm anyone?”
Everyone understood this reasoning, including Elisa.
There was no saving Lila; it was clearly an eye for an eye.
“And one last reminder, don’t get any ideas. Lila is still in our hands, and I’m sure you’ve figured out that it’s not just Lukas involved.”
“Our boss said he doesn’t want Elisa’s life. He just wants to borrow her for a couple of days. We’ll send her back alive.”
The way the other person spoke felt familiar to Hamish, but unfortunately, they were using a voice changer, and he couldn’t figure out any clues.
A sense of indescribable weariness washed over him as Hamish stood by the window, gripping his phone tightly, veins popping on his arm.
……
Hamish didn’t sleep all night, and neither did Elisa. As soon as it was daylight, the two of them had breakfast and went to the Civil Affairs Bureau.
There were more divorces than marriages now, so they had to wait in line for a while.
Despite the chaos in the Civil Affairs Bureau, the two of them remained unusually calm, like a clear stream amidst the commotion, neither arguing nor fighting.
Divorce procedures were not as simple as marriage procedures, but they had already signed the documents last night, so they only needed to finalize the paperwork at the Civil Affairs Bureau. After a while, it was finally their turn.
Elisa and Hamish’s faces were unusually serene amidst the bustling atmosphere of the Civil Affairs Bureau, as if they were a calm stream in the midst of chaos. There was no quarreling or fighting between them.
Divorce procedures were more complicated than marriage procedures, but since they had already signed the documents the previous night, all they needed to do now was complete the formalities at the Civil Affairs Bureau. After a few minutes, they finished signing the divorce papers and received their divorce certificate.
Their marriage had been simple, and their divorce was equally uneventful. Apart from the unpleasant process, both the beginning and the end were mundane.
When Elisa received the marriage certificate, it didn’t feel real to her. And now, as she held the divorce certificate, it felt like she was in a dream. She stood still for a moment, lost in her thoughts.
She placed the divorce certificate in her bag and suddenly stood up. “Hamish, I’m finally free.”
Her tone was light, like a camel carrying a heavy load finally relieved of its burden.
As Elisa’s words fell, a sour ache emanated from Hamish’s nostrils, not a physical pain, but an uncomfortable sensation lingering in his nasal cavity. It was a tingling sensation that spread to his heart and even made his eyes ache.