Ignoring the pain, she struggled to get up and watched helplessly as Liu Jianjun walked to the stove in the outer room and, without hesitation, threw the book she treasured into the still-burning fire!
"Sizzle—"
The flames instantly licked the pages of the book, the familiar cover, the words that carried all her hopes, curled up, turned black, and turned to ashes in the flames.
Time seemed to stand still at that moment.
Liu Fen's gaze was fixed on the flickering flame that was devouring the paper.
In that instant, her world lost all sound. Only the crackling of the fire remained, as if mocking her overestimation of her abilities.
That book was the light Dr. Su gave her, the only spark of warmth she could find in countless desperate nights while holding her daughter. Now, that spark, along with the last laughable hope in her heart, was thrown into the real flames by her nominal husband, burning it all to ashes.
The wound on my forehead stung terribly, but no matter how painful it was, it couldn't compare to the emptiness and bitter cold of having a hole ripped into my heart.
After burning the books, Liu Jianjun seemed to have also burned away the nameless fire in his heart. He turned around and saw Liu Fen.
She didn't cry or make a fuss; she just stood there, stiff and straight, like a piece of dead wood struck by lightning. Her empty eyes stared unblinkingly at the last embers in the furnace, her face devoid of any expression.
This deathly silence was more unsettling to Liu Jianjun than hysterical crying.
"What are you looking at!" he roared, his voice snarling but his voice betraying his fear. "Let me tell you, from now on, I'll be the only one in the house! If you dare to hold that piece of junk and not do any work, I'll burn it every time I see it! What kind of woman is this, not taking good care of her husband and children, but looking at that mess of things!"
He thought she would, as always, silently shed tears and silently endure.
However, Liu Fen made a move.
She slowly, very slowly turned her head, and for the first time, her lifeless eyes met his gaze without fail.
There was no fear, no pleading, not even hatred. Only a desolate wasteland, frozen for miles and barren of vegetation.
"Liu Jianjun".
She spoke, her voice hoarse as if it had been sanded, yet exceptionally clear.
"We are getting a divorce."
These three words, spoken lightly, struck Liu Jianjun like three heavy blows to the head. He was stunned for a moment, then laughed as if he had heard the biggest joke in the world: "Divorce? Liu Fen, have you lost your mind? You're talking to me about divorce?"
He looked at her like she was a madwoman, his eyes filled with contempt and mockery: "Where can you go without me? Your family has long since abandoned you as their daughter. You're a woman with a penniless little girl, who would want you? Without me, you won't even have enough to eat, you'll starve to death outside in less than three days!"
Every word he uttered was like a poisoned nail, attempting to pin her to the spot and make her realize her lowly situation.
But this time, the nails failed.
Looking at his face, contorted with alcohol and rage, Liu Fen suddenly laughed. The smile on her numb face appeared eerie and chilling.
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