Chapter 18
At the police station, Julian and I sat opposite Jonathan across a metal table.!!
After taking our statements, the police officer left and Julian excused himself.
Only the two of us remained in the room, the air thick with tension, almost suffocating.
“Daphne, Jonathan began, his voice hoarse. “Can we please talk properly?”
I looked up at him, noticing the bruise on his lip and his disheveled collar. A strange sense of calm settled over me. “What is there to talk. about?‘
His Adam’s apple bobbed as his fingers unconsciously traced patterns on the tabletop. “I know I was wrong. I shouldn’t have… I shouldn’t have treated you like that. I shouldn’t have chosen Wendy over you!
He had already racked his brain, but all he could manage was an apology
The heartfelt apology he probably rehearsed didn’t fit in these sterile police station
“And then?” I met his gaze directly “Jonathan, this isn’t something a simple ‘I know I was wrong‘ can fox.”
He stood up abruptly, the chair scraping loudly against the floor. Then what do you want me to do? Kneel down and beg you? I will!”
“I want you to sign the divorce papers.” I said calmly. It’s that simple!
His thoughts, his difficulties, I didn’t want to hear a single word, nor did I care.
Jonathan froze, like someone had just punched him in the gut. His face slowly crumbled. “You hate me that much?”
“I don’t hate you” I replied, shaking my head. “I just don’t love you anymore.”
Those words seemed to cause him more pain than any accusation.
He sank back into his chair, burying his face in his hands. His muffled voice came through, “Daphne, please… can you give me another chance?“:
“No,” my answer was immediate and unwavering
Silence stretched in the small space.l
The clock on the wall ticked relentlessly, each second feeling like an eternity
Finally, Jonathan looked up, his eyes bloodshot. “What if I don’t agree to the divorce?”
“Then I’ll see you in court‘))
I stood up. “Given the current circumstances, you should know how the judge will rule.”
He suddenly grabbed my wrist, his grip so tight it made me wince.}
But the moment he met my eyes, he let go like he’d been burned,
u know
“At least,” he swallowed hard. “At least add me back on your contacts. Let me think things through and I’ll let you
Looking at his red–rimmed eyes, I suddenly remembered the boy who had waited for me in the snow years ago &
He used to look at me with that same pleading expression.
“Okay” I finally conceded, taking out my phone. “But only to discuss the divorce
As ! added his contact again, I saw that his phone wallpaper was still our wedding photo.
Hed clearly changed it to a picture with Wendy before. What was the point of changing it back now?
“Daphne,” he called my name softly as if holding a fragile treasure.
“Jonathan,” I interrupted him, “Don’t make me regret this decision,”
When I left the police station, the sunlight hit my eyes so sharply it stung.k
Julian was waiting by the car, holding a frightened little Pax in his arms. The kitten uttered a loud “meow” the second it saw me, squirming to jump into my arms.
“All done talking?” Julian asked quietly.”
“Yeah” I took Pax, feeling its warm little body tremble against me. “He said he’ll think about it.“8
Julian didn’t ask more. He just opened the car door. “Let’s go home.“%
In the rearview mirror, Jonathan’s figure, standing alone at the police station entrance, grew smaller and smaller until it disappeared around the comer!
I looked down, stroking Pax’s fur and suddenly realized my hands weren’t shaking.
It turned out that letting go of someone could happen in an instant.