Chapter 5
Having been renovated a few times over the years, the two-
story mansion maintained its classical essence while embracing
modern sophistication.
Red roses cascaded over the courtyard wall, whispering in the
breeze in contrast to the quiet alley.
Harriet pulled over and then entered the mansion with Ralph’s
favorite pastries.
“Ms. Chavez, you’re back,” said Deloris Henson, the maid.
“Hey, Deloris.”
Harriet nodded at her before going to Ralph.
Most twenty-three-year-olds came with effortless youth and
sunlit vitality, dressing like a walking rainbow.
Yet Harriet had always dressed in muted tones. She seldom
smiled, her hair always a low chignon.
After all, she was the company’s VP, Ellsworth’s wife.
She spent the entire evening keeping Ralph company.
After dinner, they played chess. Only then did he say, “You’ve
been frowning since you came back. Tell me. What’s bothering
you?”
Holding a piece, Harriet looked up at him.
After a few minutes, she said, “Grandpa, I don’t wanna be with
Ellsworth anymore. I want a divorce.”
She didn’t say this impulsively. It was a decision based on
serious deliberation.
Ralph’s expression darkened as he fell silent.
After a long time, he stood up, went to his bedroom, and
returned soon.
“Back then, I asked you if you were sure. You said yes,” he said,
still looking grim.
Then he sighed helplessly, not bothering to scold her, “Never
mind. You’ve done everything you could in this marriage. You
came back for your birth certificate, right? Fine. If a divorce is
what you want, so be it. Perhaps it’ll be a relief for both you and
Ells.”
Saying this, he handed her the birth certificate.
He wasn’t one for online news, but he had heard about
Ellsworth enough.
Since Ellsworth didn’t have any feelings for Harriet, a divorce
might be the best choice.
Love couldn’t be compelled.
Harriet’s eyes reddened as her gaze fell upon the birth
certificate in Ralph’s hand. “Grandpa, I’m sorry.”
She had made herself a joke in the marriage. Worst, Ralph had
been humiliated, too.
Putting the birth certificate into her hand, Ralph sat down.
“You don’t have to say sorry to anyone. I just want you to be
happy-promise me you’ll stay away from those who upset you.”
Tightening her grip on the birth certificate, Harriet nodded.
The nameless sadness still lingered, though she didn’t know
what she was sad about.
It was past 9:00 p.m.
Chapter 5
Leaving the mansion, she sent Kathie a message and a photo on
WhatsApp.
“Kat, I’ve got the birth certificate.”
Soon, Kathie sent her a sixty-second voice message, telling her
what to do next.
***
Ellsworth was drinking with his friends in a bar, including
Johnathan and Darrick Lozano.
The flickering neon lights cast hues across their faces and the
glasses on the table.
Ellsworth’s life was far livelier than Harriet’s.
Several women tried to cozy up to him, but he showed no
response.
Lounging on the couch lazily, Johnathan said with a roguish
smile while looking at him, “I heard Hara proposed a divorce. Is
that true?”
Ellsworth picked up a cigarette and a lighter from the table and
lit it.
Blowing out a thin wisp of smoke expertly, he flicked off some
ash and smiled, “You’re well-informed, just as always. What
does Kat want to know this time?”
Johnathan shook his head. “Enough is enough, Ells. Being your
wife hasn’t been easy for Hara. You can have fun however you
want, but at least go back once in a while and sweet-talk her!”
“Sweet-talk her?”
Ellsworth let out a cold sneer while smoking.
Sweet-talk Harriet?
Not going to happen.
Just then, the screen of his phone on the table lit up.
Kathie texted him on WhatsApp, “Ells, just so you know, Hara
has gotten her birth certificate.”
She then forwarded the photo of Harriet’s birth certificate to
him.
He was slightly surprised.
Harriet had indeed come to Ralph for her birth certificate? She
was… serious about getting a divorce?
