Chapter 8
In the days that followed, Liam seemed to sense something and became inseparable from her.
He followed her everywhere, even waiting outside the bathroom when she went in.
Occasionally he’d catch Maya standing teary–eyed in the corner, but he’d just frown and pretend not
to notice.
“Liza,” one morning, he suddenly produced a gold–embossed invitation, his eyes bright like a
teenager’s. “It’s the school’s 100th anniversary today. Everyone’s going. You’ve been stuck inside for days–come on, it’ll do you good to get out and see some familiar faces.”
She stared at the school emblem on the invitation, suddenly remembering ten years ago when he’d held up basketball game tickets outside her classroom: “Wanna go, Liza?”
She might as well go.
After all, it would probably be the last time.
At the reunion, Liam held her hand the entire time.
Their old classmates teased them about still being the perfect couple, with someone bringing up how Liam had once stood in line all night to buy her a limited–edition album.
He smiled and wrapped his arm around her waist, his fingers gently caressing her side–a silent plea for forgiveness.
“Remember our time capsule?” The class president suddenly brought out a box. “Letters we wrote ten years ago–time to return them to their owners.”
Everyone rushed forward to claim theirs.
As Eliza was about to open hers, Liam suddenly froze.
His phone rang.
The screen displayed “Maya.”
He glanced hesitantly at Eliza, then stepped into the hallway to answer.
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Mrs. Perfect No More: You Gave Her a Baby? I Gave You Divorce Papers
5.6%
Chapter 8
When he returned a minute later, his face was pale. “Liza, she fell. She’s in the hospital…”
“Just go,” she cut him off calmly. “The baby needs you more.”
He kissed her forehead with obvious relief. “I’ll be back soon.”
Eliza watched him hurry away, then walked to the time capsule and found Liam’s letter.
The envelope read “To 26–year–old Liam.” After a moment’s hesitation, she opened it.
The paper had yellowed, but the handwriting remained clear.
Sixteen–year–old Liam had written in spirited script:
“To 26–year–old Liam:
You must be married to Liza by now, right? I’m jealous–you’re living the life I used to dream about.
So promise me you’ll treat her right. Spoil her like crazy, or I swear I’ll never forgive you.
Warm up her milk every day–her stomach’s picky like that.
Take her to Iceland to see the Northern Lights. She’s been talking about it forever.
She hates rainy days, can’t stand cilantro, and she’s scared of the dark–so don’t ever let her walk
alone at night.
At the end of the letter, there was a small line meant for her:
‘Liza, if one day I stop treating you right… leave me. Don’t look back. Don’t forgive me.”
She gently touched those words, tears finally falling.
“Okay,” she whispered to the air. “I’ll listen to you.”
After the reunion, she hugged each classmate goodbye.
The class president, teary–eyed, said, “Come back for the next reunion!”
There wouldn’t be a next time.
Leaving the reunion, Eliza took a taxi straight to the city hall.
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Mrs. Perfect No More: You Gave Her a Baby? I Gave You Divorce Papers
5.9%
Chapter 8
Today was the day her divorce agreement became effective. She could finally get her divorce certificate and end this marriage.
The clerk asked repeatedly: “Miss Quinn, are you absolutely sure about this?”
“I’m sure.” As she watched the official stamp come down, her heart felt hollowed out, yet strangely
relieved.
Before leaving, she deactivated all her identification records and bought a one–way plane ticket.
On the plane, the setting sun looked like blood outside the window.
Looking out, she suddenly remembered when she was eighteen, how he’d cornered her on her way
home from school:
“Liza, you’re mine. You can never run away.”
You were wrong, Liam.
This time, I did run away.
And this time, I’m never coming back.
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