Chapter 2

2

I asked my friend, Sophie, a lawyer, to draft the divorce papers.

I told her exactly what I wanted.

I remember the first time Sophie met Lucas, she joked with him.

"If you ever treat Liana badly, I won't go easy on you in court," she had said.

Lucas had responded seriously, promising he would never give her that chance.

Back then, I also thought this day would never come.

But now, time has pushed us to this breaking point.

I held the divorce papers and my son's urn as I walked back into our house.

The moment I opened the door, I saw Leo's little slippers and the toys scattered on the floor.

Everything in the room was exactly as it was before.

It felt like at any second, Leo would come running into my arms, calling me "Mommy" in his high-pitched voice.

But the cold box in my arms told me the truth.

My son was dead.

He died on the very birthday he had been looking forward to for months.

I traced the photos of him, my heart aching as I called Lucas again.

Once more, Lindsey was the one who picked up.

"Lucas isn't awake yet. He didn't sleep at all last night, so it wouldn't be right to wake him now, would it?"

In the past, Lucas would often crash the moment he got home from work.

I used to feel so bad for him, tip-toeing around the house and even undressing him gently just so he wouldn't wake up.

I wanted him to be comfortable.

But now, there was no need for that.

"Wake him up right now. I have something to say to him."

Lindsey reluctantly handed the phone over, and Lucas's irritated roar immediately filled my ear.

"Liana, are you insane? Do you have any idea how tired I am?"

"Can't you be a little more understanding? I'm exhausted, and I don't have the energy for your temper tantrums!"

Understanding?

My son is dead, and he wants me to be understanding?

Was I supposed to gently tell him to keep resting at Lindsey's house?

Was I supposed to offer my condolences for his girlfriend's dog?

"Lucas, I've signed the divorce papers. You need to come home and sign them too."

The other end went silent for a few seconds.

Then, Lucas let out a heavy sigh, his voice dripping with impatience.

"Liana, Lindsey's dog died yesterday. she was devastated, and I was worried she'd do something reckless."

"I only stayed to talk to her all night. Nothing happened."

Since his company took off, I couldn't remember the last time we had a real conversation.

Every time he came home, he acted like he was on the verge of collapse from exhaustion.

Even when Leo wanted to play with him, he pushed him away, saying he was too tired.

Now I finally understood.

It wasn't that he lacked energy; he just saved it for someone else.

If this were before, I would have felt a sharp pang of jealousy and started a screaming match.

But now, I was incredibly calm. I just wanted the divorce.

I repeated my words, syllable by syllable. "Lucas, I want a divorce."

Lucas snapped instantly, his voice rising to a shout.

"I already explained it! What more do you want?"

"It was just one birthday meteor shower. If it's that big of a deal, I'll take Leo another time!"

"Is it really worth making such a scene?"

Hearing my son's name sent a wave of fresh agony through my chest.

There would never be another time.

I hung up immediately.

Since I couldn't get through to him over the phone, he would realize I was serious when he saw the papers.