Letting Go

"No. This can't be real."

Feeling the strength leaving her legs, Lucy's hand gripped the mattress for balance. Her heart was hammering in her throat, as she would never have imagined this happening to her.

How long was Landon holding on to this?

Has he been planning to divorce her ever since Yvonne returned?

But Yvonne returned two months ago. Why hasn't he discussed this with her?

She looked at the divorce agreement in her hand again and couldn't stop the tears from finally sliding down her cheeks.

She recognized this divorce agreement. It was the same one Landon brought on the day of their wedding.

"You will be my wife until I no longer need your service. As for remuneration, I've already sent the discussed amount to your bank account." Landon turned to her to say this as they left the Civil Bureau just minutes after they exchanged wedding vows.

"By the way, we will divorce on my terms. Until then, act like a proper wife so that no one can question our marriage."

How did she answer at that time?

Lucy gripped the paper close to her chest, wailing soundlessly.

"Don't worry, Mr. Westwood. I will definitely make it believable that your first love will come running back into your arms!"

"Good."

Oh, how she regrets it now.

Had she known she would fall in love with Landon during their marriage, she would've never said those words.

Now Yvonne's right where Landon wanted her. In his arms. Beside him.

Lucy should have been happy that she could give him what he wanted. Their contract marriage was only to make Yvonne regret ever leaving him. Even Landon chose her because her eyes resembled Yvonne's.

She had what she wanted, too. Her mother got the best cancer treatment and things Lucy could've ever given her before her mother died.

Yet, she became greedy. Of his love. Of him.

But that didn't matter.

He never belonged to her. He will never be.

Sniffling back her tears, Lucy finally noticed her phone was ringing. She wasn't in the mood to answer anyone, not even if Landon was the one calling her, but when she saw who was calling her, her fingers reached to answer it.

"Lucy, are you alright?" a female voice came from the phone speaker.

"Vanessa." Lucy continued sitting on the floor and rested her head on the bed.

"Girl, what's going on? Why are you—wait—are you crying?"

The prickling feel of tears coming to fill her eyes had her flinching.

Lucy wiped it away and struggled to speak. "What is it, Vanessa?"

"Okay, you're crying. Is this because of the news?"

"What news?" Lucy stiffened.

"Wait, you didn't know? Why hasn't anyone told you?"

"Vanessa, tell me what news."

Vanessa went too quiet suddenly. Lucy felt her body grow cold. Whatever the news was, it certainly wasn't a good one.

Her best friend wouldn't act so nervously when telling her what was going on.

Finally, Vanessa's voice came out. "There's news about you pushing Miss Leblanc down the stairs and that's she's at the hospital. The Leblanc is planning to sue you for attempted murder."

Her hand pressed on her head. "What? How did this come out in the news?"

Landon was at the company, and the incident happened in the morning.

Lucy didn't push Yvonne. It was Yvonne who miscalculated her steps and was about to fall. And just when Lucy was about to reach out to help her, Yvonne fell from the stairs. That's what happened. So, why was everyone painting her as a villain?

"I didn't do it."

"I know. You would never do that." Vanessa sighed. "And... there's another thing."

Lucy inhaled. "What is it?"

"Are you and Landon really married?"

"Why…why are you asking this?" Lucy started to shake.

"Because another rumor came out—that you and Landon are not married."

Lucy couldn't breathe. This was too much. Everything was too much for her.

Blamed for something she never did. Finding out she has cancer. Her husband keeping their divorce agreement close to his side. And seeing him with the woman he loves.

Now, this?

No one knew about their contract. No one even knew that, although their marriage certificates were real, Lucy and Landon never married for love or treated it as a true marriage. It was just a compensated marriage and companionship.

Then, who…

Lucy let her gaze drop to the divorce agreement now crumpled in her hand.

There was no one else who could do it.

Landon told someone. Maybe Yvonne.

Or he spread it himself since he has no use for her anymore and wants her out of his life to marry Yvonne. Isn't this why he signed the divorce agreement?

Lucy felt sick. The bile in her stomach churned and wanted to come out.

Who would've thought the man she loved and accompanied for 2 years could do this to her?

How could he stab her in the back?

Her vision whirled as Lucy hurried to Landon's desk.

Grabbing a pen, Lucy signed it.

For the last time, she would give him what he wanted.

It was time to let everything go.

…

At the hospital.

Landon sat on the bench with his elbows resting on his knees. He dazedly looked at his phone. He was outside the doctor's office, waiting for Yvonne. His mother, who came back after taking something from home, and Emma, were beside him.

"I hope it's nothing. It would be such a pity if Yvonne received trauma from that fall." His mother paced around, worried.

As soon as she said this, the door in front of them opened. Yvonne and her parents came out of it.

"How was it? What did the doctor say?" Patricia hurriedly held Yvonne's hand.

Yvonne flashed her a sweet smile but didn't reply.

Instead, it was her mother who answered the question. "The doctor said she's fine. But because of what happened, she has to recuperate for a few more weeks and needs a lot of care."

Patricia and Emma visibly looked relieved.

Then Emma suggested it after some thought. "Yvonne should recuperate at our home. My older brother can take care of her. Right, Landon?"

Landon felt Emma patting his shoulder, but under everyone's gaze, he didn't respond.

Seeing this, Yvonne showed a bitter smile. She embarrassedly said, "There's no need. Landon has to go to work, and I'm sure his wife won't allow it."

"That woman doesn't deserve to be called his wife! Where was she even after what's happened? After this, I'm going to force her to divorce my son!" Patricia fumed when thinking of Lucy as if nothing had happened at home earlier.

Yvonne felt giddy inside. If Landon divorced, she could marry him. She knew Landon still loved her. Why else would he come running to carry her to the hospital? Why would he show he cared for her after he got married?

Moving her gaze to him, Yvonne expected a reaction.

But Landon sat woodenly on the bench as if he were not being himself.

"Landon?"

"What?" Landon finally reacted. But his eyes were void of emotion.

Yvonne blushed and shyly looked away from the man's stare. "Nothing."

Patricia and Yvonne's parents observed this and then smiled. In their minds, Landon marrying Yvonne this year was confirmed.

"Come on now, brother. Why are you suddenly being silent?" Emma teased. "Weren't you the most worried? You even kept glancing at your phone, looking at the time."

Landon's eyes flickered to his phone again.

But it was not the same reason his sister was talking about.

He was looking at the time. That's correct. But it was not because of Yvonne, which he should've been.

Rather, he was thinking about his wife, who was at home, waiting for him.

His thoughts couldn't stop running to the words she said earlier.

"Would you grieve if I died, Landon?"