Chapter 13 Was Your Love for Me a Lie?

• The following day, Melanie removed the clothes in her wardrobe and diligently packed them into boxes. Then, she carefully sealed them with tape and arranged for their pickup by the delivery personnel.
• All these garments were brought back from the villa and handpicked by Benjamin exclusively for her. She wasn't one to fuss over her clothing choices and she was perfectly content to wear them as long as he found them appealing.
• Still, as soon as she saw Sophia, everything became clear. She no longer desired these clothes that mimicked someone else's taste, yet she couldn't bring herself to discard them either. Instead, she intended to return them to their rightful owner.
• Once she completed these tasks, she departed from the apartment and went to the City Hall.
• As Melanie stood at the entrance, her gaze repeatedly shifted toward the clock. The hands of the analog clock had already moved past 9.00AM, yet he had yet to arrive. It wasn't until nearly 10.00AM that Melanie couldn't resist the urge to give him a call.
• After several prolonged rings, a voice finally responded on the other end, but it wasn't Benjamin. Instead, it was Edward's angry voice that came through, "In the Moore Family, we don't do divorces. We only have widows. So, are you asking for a divorce? Well, you better be prepared to meet your maker before that happens!"
• These words took Melanie aback. She had believed that after she made her position clear that night, there wouldn't be any more issues to deal with.
• Unable to contain herself, she voiced her frustration, "Don't you think it would have been better to inform them afterward? Couldn't you have waited until we completed the procedures today before bringing this up?"
• There was a cold sneer as the voice on the other end of the line questioned, "Do you even have a valid household registration?"
• Melanie found herself at a loss for words.
• "I... I don't!" she stammered, after which a memory struck her. "But I recall you didn't use it when we married. Given your capabilities, bypassing some procedures should be a breeze, so I'll wait for your arrival."
• Once she had said her piece, she ended the call and proceeded inside the City Hall. She located a vacant seat and settled herself into it.
• Meanwhile, Benjamin, on the other end, stared icily at his phone and as he tightened his hold around his phone. Finally, the corner of his lips twitched as he turned his head and averted his gaze indifferently.
• "Grandpa, did you hear that? It's your precious daughter-in-law who insists on getting a divorce," he stated before he turned away and walked off.
• Edward seethed with anger as he shot a furious glare at his own son. "Look at what your good son has done!"
• James was left somewhat speechless. Aren't they the same person?
• His gaze turned helplessly to his wife beside him. "Your son is utterly outrageous!"
• Alas, his wife, Layla, made it clear that she wasn't about to take the blame for this.
• "Are we going to allow them to go through with the divorce?"
• Marika's eyes narrowed as she craftily retorted, "Fat chance! This daughter-in-law is a blessing to the Moore Family. Divorce is absolutely out of the question!"
• As the minutes ticked away, Melanie sat in the hall and observed the newlywed's couple one after another and the divorced couples that brimmed with resentment.
• Her mind couldn't help but wonder. A year ago, it felt like she was the only one brimmed with joy and happiness, while the one next to her appeared perpetually indifferent, as if his emotions remained untouched.
• Back then, there had been no immense joy; now, there would be no overwhelming sorrow.
• Her mind drifted, causing her to be unaware of the time slipping away. When she came to her senses, she furrowed her brow and glanced at the clock. Little did she know that the sleek black Maybach outside the entrance had been stationed there for quite some time.
• However, the occupant of the car made no move to exit. Meanwhile, Henry kept glancing at his watch. Eventually, his duty and his unceasing habit of being punctual prompted him to speak up.
• "Mr. Moore, it's already 4.30PM. The City Hall is about to close," he remarked and suspected that Benjamin had no intention of pursuing a divorce and was purposely stalling for time.
• No sooner had he finished speaking than he sensed a chilling gaze fixated on the back of his head, and it caused a shiver to run down his spine.
• Henry swiftly adjusted his posture and cleared his throat. "I didn't say anything."
• Yet, Benjamin swung open the car door at the very next second. Then, just as Melanie was on the verge of losing her temper as she felt manipulated by Benjamin, her eyes caught a glimpse of a familiar figure.
• So, she rose to her feet and approached him without a single shred of hesitation. Nonetheless, she saw no point in small talk as she urged, "We still have time. Let's hurry."
• Benjamin firmly held her wrist as his eyes locked onto her face, radiating only eagerness to get a divorce. Her face was devoid of any reluctance to end this marriage. "What's the rush? Does this mean that all those previous expressions of love were merely lies?"
• Melanie was taken aback by his words as she had never expected that of him. To be honest, she figured that this would be their final encounter. Regardless, she maintained a calm expression on her face in the face of his questioning.
• "Let's not bring up the past."
• Benjamin's lips twitched slightly and betrayed a hint of bitter irony. "Are you suggesting that what happened half a month ago is already in the past?"
• Melanie's mind immediately flashed back to the phone call she had made half a month ago that caused her face to pale.