Chapter 5

Natalie's POV

After the miscarriage, I left the hospital and went straight back to the villa.

This house I'd lived in for three years was filled everywhere with traces of my careful arrangement.

The plants I'd personally grown on the balcony, the throw pillows I'd chosen for the sofa, even the matching couple's mugs on the coffee table.

I thought this was home.

It was actually just a gilded cage.

I walked into the bedroom and pulled out the suitcase from the bottom of the closet.

I didn't take any of the designer bags or expensive jewelry Ethan bought me. Only the few old clothes I'd brought when I came, and some necessities.

When I reached the nightstand, I saw that velvet box.

Inside was the wedding ring.

A diamond the size of a quail's egg, dazzling and brilliant.

When we got married, Ethan had his assistant randomly pick out the ring.

He said he was too busy and didn't have time to try it on.

I removed the ring and placed it in the box, gently closing it.

Everything was over.

I sat at the desk and took out a document I'd drafted long ago from the drawer.

Divorce Agreement.

Without a moment's hesitation, I signed "Natalie Davis" in the wife's signature column.

I had not a shred of reluctance.

I asked for nothing and left with nothing.

As long as I could escape this man, I found even a single penny dirty.

After neatly placing the divorce agreement and wedding ring in the most visible spot on the dining table, I dragged my suitcase to the entryway.

Just then, the door suddenly beeped open.

Ethan walked in, travel-worn.

He still carried the smell of hospital disinfectant, exhaustion written all over his face.

Seeing me standing in the entryway holding a suitcase, his brow instantly knotted into a tight frown.

"What are you making a fuss about now?"

Ethan looked at me coldly, his tone full of impatience.

"Vivian's been in the hospital these past few days preserving her pregnancy. I don't have time to come back and perform this running-away-from-home act with you."

He stopped in front of me, his gaze sweeping over the cheap old suitcase in my hand, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes.

"What? Upset I didn't spend time with you, so you're using this trick to force me to give in?"

He loosened his tie and casually tossed his suit jacket on the sofa.

"Natalie, can't you be more mature? Vivian is pregnant and her body is very weak. I was there taking care of her, not playing around. Can't you be understanding and stop causing trouble at times like this?"

Understanding.

Causing trouble.

Looking at this man I'd loved for seven years and been married to for three, I only felt he was terrifyingly unfamiliar.

I suddenly felt like laughing, and I actually did laugh.

"What are you laughing at?"

Ethan was extremely irritated.

"Nothing."

I shook my head, looking at him like a complete stranger.

"Ethan, I'm not making a fuss, and I'm not performing. I'm really leaving."

"Leaving?"

Ethan seemed to hear the world's biggest joke. He stepped closer, looking down at me from above.

"Natalie, without me, you don't even have the capital to survive in this city! The moment you walk out that door, tomorrow you'll come crawling back like a dog begging me to let you return!"

I looked at him without arguing, just quietly looking.

"Say whatever you want."

I gripped the suitcase handle tightly.

"I've left everything behind. The divorce agreement is on the dining table. I've already signed it. Whenever you have time, we'll go process it. If you're not available, you can have your lawyer contact me."

Ethan froze.

He instinctively turned to look at the dining table.

There was indeed a document there, with that familiar velvet box on top.

"Fine. Very good."

Ethan laughed in anger, pointing at the door.

"Natalie, you brought this on yourself. Step out that door, and don't ever expect me to look at you again."

"That suits me perfectly."

Without any hesitation, without even looking at him again, I walked past him, pushed open the door, and left without looking back.

Bang!

The security door slammed shut behind me with a heavy thud.

Inside the villa, silence fell like death.

I stood outside the door and took a deep breath.

I didn't look back.

Because I truly didn't love him anymore.