Charles's POV:
I called it. Whenever I set foot in our family's mansion, I got unresolved issues thrown at my face and then I ended up leaving in the worst of moods. There had been no single instance where I had left with a smile.
I sat on the edge of Rita's bed and recalled what happened just now. I felt so upset that I considered smashing something.
A few moments later, my phone beeped. It was a message from Scarlett.
"I've got our marriage certificate." I had to read the message thrice to make sure that I was not imagining it.
It was the most offensive text message I had ever received to date. I clicked on the photo that followed the message. It was taken on the day of Scarlett and I's wedding.
In the photo, we were standing very close to each other. While Scarlett had on one of those cute, squinty smiles that she put on whenever she was delighted about something, I was frowning like a boy who had been dragged into some activity that he did not want to do.
She must be very happy that day when she married me.
I gently ran my thumb over her face in the photo and found myself falling in a vortex of mixed feelings. How could a cheerful little daisy like Scarlett suddenly turn into a thorny rose?
I was not prepared to see her so determined to get out of my life.
"Did you quarrel with your family again?" Sensing the negative energy with which I must be bombarding her, Rita opened her eyes and spoke in a weak voice.
"Yes," I replied.
"I'm sorry. It's all my fault. I'm the reason you're always fighting with your family. If it weren't for me, you'd be at peace with them. I'm a burden to you." Rita covered her face with her hands and started sobbing.
"No. Of course it's not your fault. Don't think too much. It's just that Scarlett asked Grandpa for our marriage certificate earlier." I put away my phone and held her hand in mine.
"Did she get it then?" Her eyes instantly lit up.
"Yes," I answered.
But the happy and excited look on Rita's face did not make me feel good at all. It only reminded me of the unshakable resolve in Scarlett's eyes when she asked my grandfather for our marriage certificate.
At that moment, I realized how she would do anything to break away from me.
I had two women in my life. One of them yearned to divorce me while the other was desperate to marry me.
But what about me?
What did I want?
I suddenly came to the horrible realization that
I had no idea what I wanted. Everyone else seemed to be sure of their choices while I mindlessly drifted in a sea of mine.
But I understood that I was at that point where whatever choice I made would not serve my own agenda. I promised Rita that I would marry her after I divorced Scarlett.
It was the least I could do for her, to fulfill her dying wish and put a perfect ending to her short life.
However, it was not a choice that put me in high spirits. After Rita fell asleep, I left the hospital and went for a ride.
I drove my white Maybach like a drunk, heartbroken teenager who felt lost and confused.
I cruised around aimlessly for a while.
Then, I found myself pulling up in front of the villa where Scarlett lived. I rolled down my window and stared at the light in her bedroom.
What was she doing at this time?
She must already be asleep with a satisfied smile on her face because she finally got our marriage certificate. Otherwise, she would not have sent me a message that soon.
She was overjoyed because it was only a matter of time before she could finally divorce me.
The idea annoyed me so much that I lit up a cigarette and took a deep drag. It was the only way left to help me calm down.
Scarlett's POV:
I don't have to work that morning, so instead of rushing to the company, I decided I would go to the nearby breakfast place from the villa and grab a bite to eat. I was extra cheery because I had finally gotten our marriage certificate. A little more time and this would all be over.
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