I Chose Me Over My Marriage novel Chapter 18

Her absolute finality was written all over her face.

Sunlight poured through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows behind her, wrapping her in a warm glow and making her look incredibly vibrant and alive.

She felt so distant.

Even though she was standing right in front of him.

Maxwell's thoughts scrambled, memories of Lyra's past smiles flashing involuntarily through his mind.

She wasn't supposed to be like this.

She was supposed to cater to him, to love him unconditionally.

After a long pause, he let out a harsh scoff.

"Enough already, Lyra. Are you seriously pulling a fake divorce agreement stunt now? Where did you even learn this? Did you pick this up from Chloe? Let me warn you, don't push it. If I actually sign this, you won't even have a shoulder to cry on."

"I won't cry."

Lyra actually laughed out loud.

"I'll only be thrilled."

Despite her words, she couldn't lie to herself about the underlying ache in her chest.

Loving someone for so many years meant letting go was excruciatingly hard.

"Don't worry, I'll explain everything to your mother myself so it won't cause you any trouble."

Lyra leaned over, picked up a pen from the coffee table, and offered it to him.

"If you think there's a catch, take your time and read it over at home. But until you sign, I'm keeping the evidence. Remember, I almost died in that fire because of her. A divorce agreement seems like a more than fair trade."

Her smile felt like a physical knife twisting in Maxwell's chest.

His fists tightened, and the edge of the divorce agreement crumpled in his grip.

"Are you absolutely sure you won't regret this?"

He couldn't stop himself from asking one last time.

But no matter how many times he asked, the answer would remain exactly the same.

"I won't."

Lyra's answer was crisp and uncompromising.

The very next second, Maxwell let out a cold laugh and took a step back.

She was actually going to divorce Maxwell Sterling.

If anyone in their elite circle found out, jaws would drop to the floor.

After all, Lyra's absolute devotion to Maxwell was legendary.

It felt like an eternity before Maxwell finally tossed the papers onto the empty seat beside him.

"Back to the office."

The luxury car slowly glided out of the parking lot.

Lyra stood outside the hotel entrance, quietly watching Maxwell's car disappear into the distance.

She took a deep breath, turned on her heel, and headed toward the taxi stand.

She hailed a cab and headed straight for a newly opened club in the suburbs.

After searching through the dim, flashing lights for ages, Lyra finally locked her eyes on a woman in the middle of the dance floor.

Exasperated, she pushed through the packed crowd, stopped behind her, and gently called out her name.

"Chloe."