Chapter 3

3

Cora and I grew up as neighbors. All the kids in the gated community played together, but Cora was the cute one I always looked after.

I helped her with homework and drove her to school. I even used to braid her hair and help her pick out dresses.

I did so much for her that it became a habit.

People used to joke that I was raising my own little bride.

Back then, she would giggle and say, "When I grow up, I'm going to marry Silas."

She forgot those words the moment she met Zackary. But I had taken them to heart.

I smiled bitterly. It was long past time to let go.

As I was leaving for work, my phone rang again.

It was Mr. Hayes. The background was chaotic; Mrs. Hayes was screaming something in the distance.

Mr. Hayes's voice was trembling and weak. "Silas, please. We're at Maplewood Estate. Can you come over?"

Cora's voice screamed from the other side, "If you don't let me divorce him, I'll die right here!"

There was the sound of furniture crashing and Mrs. Hayes sobbing.

I sighed and said, "I'll be there."

I grabbed the divorce papers. I figured that was what she really wanted.

Maplewood Estate was a disaster zone. Cora's hair was a mess, and she glared at me with pure hatred. She held a fruit knife tightly against her wrist, and a thin line of blood was already showing.

Mr. Hayes looked like he had aged twenty years overnight. His gray hair was far more noticeable now.

He stared at Cora, looking utterly exhausted.

Mrs. Hayes was on her knees, begging Cora to put the knife down.

Mr. Hayes had originally found Cora to bring her to apologize to me. Despite the drama, he still hoped we could make it work.

But Cora's reaction was violent. She refused to admit she was wrong and grabbed the knife. She wouldn't listen to a word her parents said.

So Mr. Hayes called me, hoping to settle things face-to-face.

He probably thought that because of my feelings for Cora, I would forgive her and talk her down. He hoped we would reconcile.

I found Cora's behavior almost laughable. If she hated the idea of marrying me so much, why didn't she pull this stunt before the wedding? We live in a free country; it wasn't like I kidnapped her to the courthouse.

I thought it, so I asked it.

Cora looked me in the eye and answered seriously, "Didn't you insist on marrying me? Well, are you happy now! I wanted Zackary to know that my love for him is real. Even in a forced alliance, I only belong to him. For him, I'll do anything."

"You're insane!" Mr. Hayes roared, pointing at her. "I told you, Silas didn't force this. I begged him to marry you!"

Mrs. Hayes nodded quickly. "Yes, Cora. Now that Silas is here, sit down and listen to us."

Cora was hysterical. "Silas, did you brainwash my parents? Why are they worshiping you? They still won't let me divorce! They wanted me to apologize to you? Never!"

I stepped in front of Mr. Hayes, who was so angry he almost lunged at her, knife be damned. "Mr. Hayes, since Cora has someone she loves, let's just end this marriage."

Mr. Hayes grabbed my hand, his eyes turning red. "Silas, please, I'm begging you..."

Cora threw the knife aside and rushed forward, shoving me hard. "Why are you begging him! I'm the one who doesn't want him! I never liked him. Even without Zackary, I could never love him."

She glared at me like I was her mortal enemy.

I realized then that we had drifted too far apart. She didn't need my help anymore.

She wasn't the little girl who depended on me for everything.

I pushed down the bitterness in my heart and took a deep breath. I looked at her parents and said firmly, "Mr. and Mrs. Hayes, don't force her anymore. It's better for everyone if we just get a divorce."

When I went back to calling them "Mr. and Mrs. Hayes" instead of "Mom and Dad," Mr. Hayes froze.

"Silas, we can't divorce. I spoiled her too much, made her think she can do whatever she wants. I apologize to you..." He tried to push past Cora to reach me, but Cora held him back.

She screamed at me, "Silas Thorne, don't think you can use a divorce to manipulate my dad! It won't work. You'll never have me!"

"Cora! What has happened to you?" Mrs. Hayes cried, shaking her head in disbelief.

I pulled out the signed divorce papers and said calmly, "I've already signed them. Cora, I'm agreeing to the divorce. I mean it."