7.
I pointed to the trash can. “Today, after you touched me, the stench wouldn’t wash off, so
I took a bath and threw the clothes away.”
“Now, after you hugged me, I have to throw away another piece of clothing.”
“Stop being so disgusting and wasting my few clothes.”
His face turned red and white.
He had never heard such heartless words. I used to be so caring towards him.
Declan’s hand tightened.
He pushed Sierra forward.
Sierra reluctantly took a step forward. “Mom, please let Dad and me in… I haven’t eaten in a long time, and I’m so hungry…”
I sneered. “What does that have to do with me? Don’t you have Genevieve?”
To avoid further disturbances, I pulled out my phone and called the police.
“Hi, there’s a suspicious father and daughter constantly harassing me at my home.”
“Yes, okay, okay.”
hung up the phone. Sierra’s hands clenched into fists, glaring at me with tears in her eyes. “I hate you! You’re not my mom!”
I laughed. “I haven’t been your mom for a long time.”
DIE70 Mon, Feb Tu
With that, I slammed the door shut.
Disgusted, I looked at my clothes, went upstairs to take a bath, and threw them out.
What bad luck!
After the police visit, they didn’t dare come near my home again.
They just squatted by the roadside on my way to work.
Without washing their faces or bathing, wearing the same clothes for days.
Smelly and messy.
Neighbors were spreading rumors about two beggars outside, possibly traffickers, warning everyone, especially those with kids, to be cautious.
Declan seemed genuinely remorseful, squatting with Sierra every day.
Finally, on the day the cooling–off period ended.
I walked toward them with my file folder.
Declan’s face lit up. “Nora, I knew it, you love me. You’ve forgiven me, haven’t you?”
“Let’s go home. I haven’t bathed in so long, I’m so uncomfortable, and fleas are biting me. Sierra is itching with rashes all over.”
He tried to grab me, but I avoided his dirty hand.
“Today the cooling–off period is over. Let’s go get the divorce certificate.”
“I disagree!”
Declan’s face changed drastically. “I won’t divorce you. Sierra can’t lose you as her mom!”
I had anticipated this.
If during the cooling–off perlod one party haks out the process can be canceled.
08:26 Mon, Feb 10 GI.
<
If during the cooling–off period, one party backs out, the process can be canceled.
Declan squatted here for days, not going to court, so the cooling–off period wasn’t
interrupted.
69
I took out my phone and opened the photos I took of him, Genevieve, and Sierra in our bed. “If you don’t go, I’ll use these photos as evidence to show the court our marriage has
broken down.”
“You know, if it goes to court, your family will find out.”
“How will you explain to your parents about you and Genevieve in the same bed?”
His face changed.
“You secretly took photos?”
“You were openly lying in my bed, and I openly took photos. There’s no ‘secret‘ between
us.”
I said mockingly.
He fell silent, knowing he was in the wrong.
If this got out, he’d lose face in his family!
Agreeing to a divorce with me now would save him some face!
Declan held Sierra’s hand, speaking softly, “Nora, I was truly wrong. Please give me a
chance?”
I looked at him. “I’ve given many chances.”
“You still have on–again, off–again ties with Genevieve. I’ve seen the photos she sent you.”
“I thought maybe you’d refuse her once you came to your senses.”
“But I forgot one thing. Ingrained bad habits can’t be changed, not even in death!”
He way damned, eyes wide, not expecting me, who always endured silently, to speak so
harshly.
Declan gently held Sierra’s hand and murmured, “Nora, I really messed up. Could you give
me another chance?”
I met his gaze. “I’ve given you plenty of chances.”
“You keep going back and forth with Genevieve. I’ve seen the photos she sent you.”
“I thought you were just temporarily infatuated and would turn her away once your
realized.”
“But I forgot one thing: a jerk’s nature is deep–rooted, and even death can’t change that!”