Chapter 4

"Is this divorce voluntary?"

The clerk behind the counter looked up, her eyes wary.

I wanted to say "no."

Julian's fingers dug into the web of my hand, and the pain made me speechless.

The clerk asked again.

Julian pressed his other hand against the back of my neck, forcing my head down.

Once, twice.

The clerk stood up, clearly annoyed.

"Sir, this is coercion!"

Julian sneered.

"Fine, you ask her if it's voluntary."

He leaned in, his lips brushing my ear.

"Think about your three children, Eleanor. If you don't sign, tomorrow they won't be Sterlings anymore."

My whole body stiffened, and I looked up at him in disbelief.

"Julian, they're your children!"

"And so what?"

His eyes were ice cold.

"The Sterlings don't lack heirs, Eleanor. I can always have more. Can you afford to gamble?"

I couldn't afford to gamble.

Ten years of endurance, forty-three betrayals.

I had poured my heart and soul into this, enduring countless betrayals. I wasn't just waiting for Julian's demise; I was securing a future where our three children would rightfully inherit everything.

To protect my children, I could only speak with bitter resignation.

"I voluntarily consent to the divorce."

The clerk stared at me for a few seconds, then finally sat down, pushing the forms across.

As the last stroke of the pen fell, my wrist trembled.

Not from sadness, but from resentment.

Julian snatched the divorce certificate and practically sprinted out.

Outside, Serena had already come down from the rooftop.

She was wrapped in Julian's coat, her face pale, but her eyes sparkled.

Julian rushed over and embraced her.

"Serena, I'm free."

He took Serena's hand and pulled her into a deep hug.

They kissed publicly, deeply, passionately.

The reporters swarmed them.

"Mrs. Sterling... no, Miss Eleanor, how are you feeling now?"

"Will you fight for custody?"

"Regarding the division of assets..."

I didn't answer.

I watched Julian, hand-in-hand with Serena, walk back into the courthouse.

This time, it was the marriage registration window.

They sat close together, filling out forms, signing, taking photos.

When the camera's flash went off, Serena smiled brilliantly.

Serena couldn't wait to take a photo and posted it on Ins.

Caption: "To many more years with you, @Julian Sterling"

In one minute, comments soared past ten thousand.

I returned to the Sterling mansion.

Mr. and Mrs. Sterling had received the news; they were waiting for us at home.

Mr. Sterling was so furious he threw his teacup.

"That bastard! That absolute bastard!"

Mrs. Sterling clutched her chest, her face pale.

"Eleanor, don't you worry, Mom will never acknowledge that gold-digger! Once that old man dies, we'll make Julian divorce her for sure!"

I lowered my head, saying nothing.

I couldn't afford to wait.

Five more days.

A thought struck me, and a new plan began to form in my mind.

I dialed a number, contacting a company called "Aura Tech Corp."

This company specialized in legally extracting memory fragments from the terminally ill, for use in medical, legal, and inheritance disputes.

Now, I was going to change my strategy.