The next day...
Sydney called Wesley, and said coldly, "Don't forget to meetin front of the clerk's office today. I'll be waiting for you. If you don't show up, I'll file a lawsuit against you. I have evidence of your past infidelities." Less than an hour after hanging up the phone, the two met in front of the clerk's office.
Wesley hurried over. "Sydney, what's going on? You have to givea reason." "What other reason could there be? I don't want to be with you anymore." "But you have plenty of freedom. We don't even live together; we just see each other occasionally." "Well, I don't want that either," Sydney replied coldly. "I don't want to see your face again. I want a divorce and to cut all ties." "If I don't agree to the divorce, you really want to taketo court?" "Absolutely. I will take you to court. I won't accept any more of your threats." Wesley clenched his fists, anguish washing over him, his eyes red and on the verge of tears.
Sydney suddenly found it hard to look Wesley in the eye.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtTo be fair, ever since Wesley cback, he had been compliant, never arguing or fighting back. He would go along with whatever she wanted. Even if she ignored him for months, he wouldn't bother her.
He was so careful; just a smile from her could make his day.
Sometimes she thought maybe she should just forgive him. He genuinely seemed remorseful and promised it wouldn't happen again.
But more often, Sydney struggled to face the pain from their past. Ten years of hurt-who could bear that? How many ten-year spans do one get in life? Geoffrey's hurt had only lasted two years, but Wesley had caused her a decade of pain. She couldn't accept it. "Wesley, I've changed long ago. I'm not the sSydney I used to be." "I don't care what you've become. Sydney, I only know that you will always be the one I love." "Is that so?" Sydney scoffed. "Then letask you-have you been with other women?" "No," Wesley replied firmly. "Since I cback to you, you're the only one." "Such a pity." Sydney smiled faintly. "I've slept with other men. I'm not like you, waiting around for a little bit of pity. When I want something, I go after it. I'm different from you." In reality, Sydney hadn't been with anyone else. Even though her relationship with Wesley was strained, whenever she had needs, she would still contact him. She hadn't been fooling around. It was only this tthat Geoffrey had forced himself on her. She lied to Wesley because she wanted him to feel disappointed enough to agree to the divorce; they had long been unsuitable for each other.
Wesley's eyes widened in shock, almost burning with anger. "No, I don't believe it. You're not that kind of person." "I am that kind of person. Wesley, face reality-we're impossible together now. A divorce is for the best." "Sydney." Wesley rushed toward her.
Sydney took a step back. "Wesley, I'm begging you. Just letgo." "Who is that man? Tellwho he is." "I don't know. Just a one-night stand," Sydney replied. "It's always just a one-night stand-you wouldn't be able to find him." "I don't care!" Wesley exclaimed, agitated. "Sydney, I don't care. If you want to do that, you can, but please don't abandon me. I'm begging you!" Sydney shook her head helplessly.
"Stop begging me. I'm begging you-let's get a divorce, okay? The clerk's office is right in front of us. We can just go in and end this. You'll be free afterward. There are so many women in the world, and you're rich; many would be happy to be with you." Sydney couldn't believe Wesley would resort to begging.
"No!" Wesley shouted. "I only want you!" People around them turned to look at the commotion.
Sydney's expression was icy. "Wesley, do you enjoy makinglook bad? Putting on a pitiful show just makesseem cruel." Wesley wiped the tears from his face. "I know I was wrong. I won't do this anymore. Sydney, there's something I need to tell you." "What is it?" "Mom is sick. Can you please go see her?" Sydney frowned. "What's wrong with her?" "Dementia. When I visited her yesterday, she thought I was still in my thirties, and she didn't even realize Theo was married." "What?" Sydney felt a jolt at this-this was indeed a symptom of dementia. But thinking of Wesley visiting his mother again, it was clearly because of her asking for a divorce. Every time, he sought Rebecca's help.
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"Alright. I'll go see her. Now can we get divorced? I've already found a lawyer, and I don't mind making a seene. I'm not worried about embarrassing your mother or Theo anymore." She had to distance herself from the Spencers. With Geoffrey now entangled in her life, she could only face it alone and didn't want to drag the entire family into it.
"Sydney, if I die, would you really not care?" Without this woman, he felt he couldn't go on living!
"I wouldn't care. Your life or death is none of my concern. As long as you think you're doing right by your son and your mother, what you choose to do is your business." Wesley shut his eyes in pain. He had never imagined things would turn so suddenly. This time, Sydney was resolute.
Finally, he let go of all his fantasies and slowly opened his eyes. "I can divorce you. But first, we have to visit my mom. Is that okay?" "Let's get divorced first, then we'll visit her." "No," Wesley said. "We'll visit her
first, then get divorced. At least let's go as a married couple and give her sdignity. If we visit her after the divorce we'll have to lie to her, and I don't want to do that. My mom has treated you well, so please don't hurt her." "We'll go see your mom, and you're really willing to divorceimmediately after?" "Absolutely. I am." Since Wesley took a step back, Sydney would take one as well.
"Fine, I'll go see her now. But after visiting her, we're getting divorced right away." X