The last words of thanks were like unnecessary apologies, I no longer had the courage to think any further.

Zhang Zhentian gazed desolately at the sky. What was once a boundless expanse of blue skies and white clouds now seemed gray and colorless to him. Because of his terrible mood, he believed the whole world had turned dark, a pitch-black place where he couldn’t see a glimmer of light. His doomsday had arrived.

Xia Jing saw Zhang Zhentian standing motionless at the entrance of the civil affairs bureau. She knew her husband was reluctant in his heart, but she had forced him to come here, so what right did she have to turn back now? As things developed step by step to this point, both of them were responsible. It was unfair and selfish to lay all the blame on one person alone.

Xia Jing felt true sorrow. Seeing her husband standing there, unmoving, she so dearly wished time could stop at this moment, so they would never step into the doors of the civil affairs bureau, never face the day of divorce. She just wanted to quietly watch her dear husband!

The two had loved each other for so long, yet in the end, they couldn’t escape fate’s plans for them, and had no choice but to obediently go through with the divorce.

Zhang Zhentian saw Xia Jing looking reluctant as well; he spoke to her, "How about we don’t get divorced? Just give me one more chance, let’s go home together, happily live together. Wouldn’t that be better than this mess?"

"Since the words are already spoken, why go back? As the saying goes, a good horse doesn’t turn back to graze. If a decision has been made, then you must follow through, even if on your knees. We’ve been through so much together; forgetting each other is certainly not easy. But there’s no road left to walk; since this ending is predestined, let’s let go of each other’s hands and give each other another chance. Believe me, I won’t let you be sad again."

"What use is saying this now? It’s too late for us; there’s no turning back. Since we’ve come this far, why not step gently through this door and give each other the ending we need?"

"Xia Jing, you must know, I don’t want to divorce you, I don’t want to step into that civil affairs bureau door, or see your departing back. Every time I watch you leave, do you know how my heart aches seeing your back? Why can’t you understand my feelings for you? After so many years as a couple, don’t you understand me at all? Everything I’ve done was so we could have a better life, so we could happily live the rest of our lives. But why are you so unwilling to understand me? So often, if you’d just understood me a little more, the outcome would be different, but you didn’t."

"What’s the point of saying this now? Originally, we had a way back, but all the paths were blocked by you. I pleaded with you not to divorce me, but you resolutely decided to abandon me, to abandon the relationship we’ve had for over ten years, to discard everything we’ve shared as husband and wife! Since you were so heartless in choosing to leave me, don’t now come back and ask to return to my side. It feels meaningless and makes me feel you aren’t worthy of being a man. You’ve disregarded our marital bond; why should I stubbornly see you as a part of my life? Wouldn’t that just bring more pain? Enough, there’s no need to say more. We’ve come this far; let’s finish what we need to do. Otherwise, it will only be more troublesome to come back again for this matter!"

Xia Jing finished speaking and turned to walk into the civil affairs bureau’s doors. Zhang Zhentian saw Xia Jing’s determined back and felt very uncomfortable. Xia Jing looked back, saw Zhang Zhentian standing still, and reached out to pull Zhang Zhentian toward the door, but she couldn’t move him.

"Why not just give me one more chance? Am I really so insignificant to you? One more chance, what’s the harm? I don’t want anything but a simple, happy family!"

"Is it in your heart that all these years I haven’t given you a sense of home, haven’t let you feel the atmosphere a happy family should have? Is that why you’ve chosen to treat me this way? You’re telling me, if I go back with you, you won’t divorce me again. Do you think I can trust your words even a little? If you could be so ruthless in proposing divorce this time, there will be a second and third time. I don’t want to endure such blows over and over. Since you can hear me this time, let’s thoroughly solve this issue and not make each other so sad."

After finishing, Xia Jing entered the civil affairs bureau without waiting for Zhang Zhentian. He had no choice but to slowly walk inside too.

They argued for quite a while in the civil affairs bureau before finally quieting down. Once the silence settled, Xia Jing signed her name on the divorce agreement. Zhang Zhentian saw Xia Jing sign without hesitation; he knew that his actions this time truly broke Xia Jing’s heart. Since she had made such a decision, he should not force her to continue living with him. Perhaps, it was time to let Xia Jing fly on her own.

After contemplating alone, Zhang Zhentian signed his name on the divorce agreement. The official handed the divorce certificates to both Zhang Zhentian and Xia Jing. Holding the divorce certificate, Xia Jing cheerfully said to Zhang Zhentian, "Congratulations, you finally got rid of me. Now you can be happy with Dad and our son, and it’s time for me to fly solo without any burdens or hindrances!"

"You too, you can fly solo without worrying that I’ll uncover your lies!"

"Now all our necessary procedures are done, you’re free. Let’s return to our separate lives, never to meet or contact again. From now on, until we never meet again..."

After speaking, Xia Jing turned and left. As she turned, a large tear slid down her face. Though it was a hot day, she felt the chill of winter’s cold wind on her face.

Zhang Zhentian knew Xia Jing was crying, but he said nothing, as words would only deepen the sadness. His heart felt heavy, yet he had to comfort his ex-wife. From today, there would be no marital ties between them, no potential conflicts, allowing each to live the life they longed for. But why did his heart still ache this much?

Time always says goodbye. What was once vivid desires, casually, deeply, and shallowly lived love, now is just about love’s freedom, letting go of past grievances!