Chapter 12 Divorce

• Before Zayla could utter a word, Melanie couldn't resist and said, "Joaquin, Zayla misses you. Why don't you consider going back to see her?" Zayla absorbed this statement with a sinking feeling, suddenly overcome with nausea. She berated herself for posing such a self-deprecating question, inadvertently eliciting pity from Joaquin's lover. Melanie had to prompt Joaquin, Zayla's legal husband, to return home to Zayla.
• At that moment, everything clicked into place for Zayla. Joaquin had been reveling in his time with Melanie for the past two weeks, giving no thought to Zayla, the unwanted guest in this scenario. Reflecting on the past four years, Zayla let out a bitter laugh devoid of mirth. She only had an icy, detached gaze.
• Unaware of when the call had ended, Zayla clutched her phone, her hand trembling as she lowered it slowly. The screen had already dimmed to black. Drawing in a deep breath, blood trickled from the corner of Zayla's lips. She wiped it away, ignoring the sticky discomfort of blood staining her hands as she continued to grip the phone, composing a text message to Joaquin. 'Let's get a divorce.'
• Zayla waited for nearly half an hour, her anticipation dwindling as she received no response from Joaquin. Glancing at the time, she realized he was likely already nestled in slumber with Melanie by now.
• The dried blood on her hands had become an uncomfortable reminder. Zayla propped up her weakened body with great effort and made her way to the bathroom to wash away the bloodstains. The cold water felt like a shock against her skin, momentarily numbing her senses.
• Returning to the room, she poured a glass of warm water and took both the painkillers and anti-cancer drugs. Stellan's potent painkillers, infused with anesthetics, were reserved for moments of excruciating agony, given their addictive and potentially nerve-damaging properties.
• Emptying the pills into a nondescript container, she stashed them away in a drawer. She no longer cherished Joaquin as much as he used to. Sixteen years she had liked him, six years they had known each other, and four years they had been married… Despite all that, she could still let him go.
• As the first light of dawn filtered through the window, Zayla stirred from her slumber. Unused to lingering in bed, she promptly reached for her phone and dialed her lawyer's number, instructing him to draft a divorce agreement and dispatch it immediately.
• Her lawyer, Mr. Innes, was taken aback by her abrupt request for a divorce but refrained from probing further. Instead, he focused on the intricacies of the agreement, delving into matters of property distribution and other pertinent details.
• Recognizing the necessity for a face-to-face discussion to address such meticulous provisions, Zayla hesitated before broaching the topic. "Mr. Innes, would you happen to be available today?"
• "Yes, I'm available."
• "Can you come to my house for an in-depth discussion?"
• "Sure. I'll leave shortly."
• As Steele Group's legal director, he was a trusted confidant. Alongside the divorce agreement, Zayla intended to discuss her will with him.
• After sending him her address, Zayla settled before her dressing table. Despite staying indoors, she habitually applied makeup to lend her sickly appearance a semblance of vitality. Gazing at her reflection in the mirror, she allowed a smile to grace her lips. Today might mark the end of one chapter, but she harbored the assurance that tomorrow would dawn anew.
• Concerned that Mr. Innes might not have had breakfast, Zayla also took it upon herself to prepare food for him. Just past nine o'clock, the doorbell chimed. Hastily removing her apron and hanging it up, she greeted Mr. Innes at the door.
• "Ms. Steele."
• "Please, come in. Have you had breakfast?" Zayla inquired.
• Mr. Innes followed her inside, informing her that he had already eaten. Feeling slightly self-conscious about eating before him, Zayla swiftly downed a glass of milk and made a pot of tea before leading him to the living room.
• Without delay, Mr. Innes set up his laptop. Upon learning of Zayla's intention to transfer most of Steele Group's shares to Joaquin, he appeared taken aback, his fingers momentarily pausing on the keyboard.
• "Ms. Steele, you should seriously reconsider this decision. Steele Group's shares constitute your pre-marital assets, and your husband has no legal entitlement to them." Having witnessed numerous property disputes in divorce proceedings, he was surprised by her readiness to relinquish her pre-marital holdings.
• In addition, this entailed an enterprise worth hundreds of millions. Even with the other shareholders' consent, her father would vehemently oppose such a move. If he discovered that she was getting a divorce and relinquishing control of the company, it would undoubtedly incite a significant uproar.
• "I comprehend the gravity of the situation, which is precisely why I must discuss my will with you..." Zayla's sentence trailed off as the doorbell rang, prompting her to rise and attend to the door. "Please excuse me for a moment as I answer the door."
• As the door swung open, a shadowy figure materialized, accompanied by a chilling gust of wind that prompted Zayla to instinctively recoil.