Chapter 5

After leaving that house, I found a small motel near the hospital.

Over the next few days, I focused on two things.

First, arranging cremation for the baby.

Second, finding a lawyer to draft divorce papers and handle the division of assets.

Marcus didn't contact me at all during this time.

He probably thought I was just throwing a tantrum and would come crawling back in tears soon enough.

After all, in the past, I was always the first to back down after every fight.

But not this time.

I stood alone at the crematorium entrance, holding the tiny urn, looking up at the gray sky. I finally felt some sense of peace.

I left the urn at the crematorium for safekeeping.

According to our hometown customs, a child who dies young can't be buried in the family plot or brought home.

After handling everything, I sent Marcus a text:

"Tomorrow at 9 a.m., meet me at the Civil Affairs Bureau. I've already signed the divorce papers."

After sending it, I turned off my phone, took two sleeping pills, and forced myself to sleep.

The next day, I arrived at the Civil Affairs Bureau on time.

Marcus didn't show.

I waited an hour and called him more than ten times. No answer.

Just as I was about to go find him, he finally called back.

Marcus's voice was slurred with alcohol and annoyance:

"Rain, aren't you done with this tantrum yet?"

"What divorce? Fine, I'll give you an out."

"Sienna's birthday is tonight. Come pay the bill and apologize to her, and we'll call it even."

Pay the bill? Apologize?

My hand holding the phone trembled slightly.

"Marcus, I'm serious. I'm waiting for you at the Civil Affairs Bureau."

"Are you insane?!"

Marcus cursed.

"I already gave you an out and you're still putting on this act? Just get over here! Everyone's waiting. Don't embarrass me!"

He hung up.

I listened to the dial tone, took a deep breath.

If he wouldn't come to me, I'd go to him.

I'd throw the divorce papers in his face in front of everyone.

I pushed open the private room door. The laughter and chatter stopped abruptly.

When they saw me, Sienna let out an exaggerated gasp:

"Oh wow, Rain's here! Marcus, I told you she couldn't stay away from you. She came running to pay the bill."

The people around us burst into laughter.

"Marcus really knows how to handle his wife!"

"Rain, come sit down. It's Sienna's birthday today—you better be on your best behavior."

Marcus looked smug. He patted the empty seat beside him like he was calling a dog.

"Sit down now that you're here. And remember to settle the bill at the front desk later."

I didn't sit. I didn't say anything.

I walked straight up to Marcus, pulled out the divorce papers from my bag, and slammed them on the table.

"Sign them."

The smile on Marcus's face froze.

"Rain, are you here to make a scene?"

"What divorce? You're pregnant—what are you divorcing me for? You think you can threaten me with the baby? Dream on!"

"The baby?"

I laughed coldly.

"Marcus, what baby?"

Marcus froze, instinctively looking at my stomach.

Between the stress of the past few days and barely eating, my stomach had gone down significantly.

"What... what do you mean?"

Marcus's voice trembled. A sense of dread finally began to creep in.

I pulled out another document from my bag.

A death certificate and a cremation certificate.

I slapped them against his chest.

"Marcus, your child died seven days ago. While you were riding your motorcycle to take Sienna to her concert, he stopped breathing inside me!"