We Are Officially Divorced novel Chapter 8

Chapter 8

I stayed quiet for the rest of the drive.

Julian could tell something’s been off lately, but he didn’t know what. He thought back on what’s

been happening and realized he’d been neglecting me because of Elizabeth’s case.

Guilt hit him. For once, he made the first move.

“Our third anniversary is coming up. Let’s go on a trip.”

With only a few days left before the divorce waiting period ended, I did not want any complications. I rejected him, using my injury as a reason.

He thought it over and realized a trip wasn’t realistic. So he listed other ideas-dinner, a show, whatever I wanted.

As he listed them one by one, I always found an excuse, rejecting all his ideas.

My cold responses were nothing like how excited I used to be about our dates. He got suspicious.

Seeing his confusion, I worried he would figure it out.

I suggested, “Our anniversary ws on a weekend. Why don’t we head back to our alma mater”

Julian could not figure out what was on my mind, but since he didn’t want to spoil my mood, he agreed.

We went quiet again.

I opened my calendar app. Two dates side by side.

September 7: “Divorce.”

September 6: our third anniversary-and the tenth anniversary of me falling for him.

Going back to where it all started on that day felt right. A clean ending.

A little smile popped up’on my face. I started joking around.

“This time you won’t ditch me again, right?”

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Ile actually laughed. “When have I ever ditched you? Lia, stop making me sound bad.”

I smiled but didn’t answer.

The last time he left me in the hospital to go to the beach with Elizabeth.

Before that, he skipped my birthday dinner to collect evidence for her divorce.

Even earlier, he ditched me in the suburbs to comfort her.

Whenever it was about Elizabeth, our plans got canceled.

The next week he didn’t come home once.

Every morning I crossed off another day on the calendar.

I stayed alone in the house that was getting emptier, slowly packing the last of my things.

Time flew. Soon it was September 6.

I woke up early, did my makeup, put on an old dress from college, grabbed my camera, and went downstairs.

Julian was already waiting. He opened the car door for me politely.

Knowing I’d be free soon, I felt light. I talked nonstop about old school memories.

We laughed the whole way.

He relaxed too and even offered to take tons of photos for me later.

Before we knew it, we pulled up to the gates of Washington University in St. Louis.

I got out first and leaned against the car, waiting.

Julian unbuckled his seatbelt-then his phone chimed.

He opened it. I saw his face change.

Elizabeth: “Jules, are you free? I have a fever. Can you take me to the hospital?”

He froze.

Seeing that he still had not gotten out of the car, I turned to see what was going on and happened to see his hesitant expression.

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He decided fast.

“Lia, something came up at the firm. I need to head back.”

I paused, “Can’t you go an hour later?”

“It’s very important. I don’t think it can wait.”

Seeing how determined he was, I did not expose his bluff. I only looked at him deeply and let him leave.

He buckled up again and promised, “Once it’s handled, we can come back. Maybe we can invite some of our old professors to lunch.”

I didn’t respond, for there wouldn’t be a next time.

I watched his car drive away, then walked onto campus alone with my camera. In half an hour, I visited every spot that meant something to my youth and my one-sided love.

After taking her photos, Amelia hailed a taxi and left.

I saw new updates on my Instagram and tapped on them.

When the page refreshed, I saw that Elizabeth had uploaded a photo of herself at the hospital.

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