Chapter 2Until the 99th Sunset

The next day, I went to the Hayes family estate. I laid the eight divorce certificates on the table in front of Arthur’s mother. “Mom, Arthur and I are divorced again.”

She looked at me with pity, sighing deeply. “Arthur is truly sorry for what he’s done to you. You two were so happy once.” Her eyes pleaded. “But this time, it’s really different. I’ve contacted several doctors, and they all say there’s a high chance of recovery.” She pushed some business cards toward me. “I’m getting old, and all I want is for you two to have a good life together.” She paused, a hopeful glint in her eyes. “He’s even remembered quite a few things from the past recently…”

Her persuasion was cut short by my interjection. “But he’s never remembered anything about me.” I lowered my head, avoiding her sympathetic gaze. The atmosphere grew heavy, until she spoke again. “If you leave, and Arthur remembers you and can’t find you, he’ll go mad.”

For the past three years, every time we divorced, Arthur’s mother would say those exact words. And every time, because of those words, I would soften, again and again. Remarrying, time after time.

Before I could reply, there was a commotion at the entrance. Arthur walked in, his brows instantly furrowing when he saw me. “Eleanor Jones, are you here to complain to my mother again?” he sneered. “I threw you out, and you’re still clinging on like a ghost. Can’t you really live without me?!”

Arthur’s mother’s chest heaved with anger. She shot to her feet, her hand flying up to deliver a resounding slap across Arthur’s face. “Haven’t you caused enough trouble?! How much more do you intend to push Eleanor? Without her, you wouldn’t even be alive!”

I sat on the sofa, my hands clenched into fists, memories of seven years ago flooding back. His marriage to Laura had been a nightmare. She’d reveled in his complete devotion, yet secretly had another man. When he discovered her infidelity, he became the laughingstock of their social circle overnight. When he went to confront her, Laura had absconded with ten million dollars, vanishing without a trace.

After that, Arthur sank into a deep depression. He was about to jump from a bridge when I saved him.

“So what? She just wanted money, didn’t she?” Arthur remained stubborn, his gaze fixed on his mother. “I don’t care what Laura did back then. I just love her, and I can’t love anyone else.” His voice was defiant. “I won’t regret it.”

In that instant, all the strength seemed to drain from Arthur’s mother. She turned, her eyes full of apology, to look at me.

Arthur rubbed his temples, then finally, as if in defeat, he lifted his head. “Eleanor Jones, you want to remarry? Fine, we’ll just divorce again anyway. You’re the one who’ll look like a fool, not me.” His voice was cold, taunting. “So desperate for me? Let’s go to the registry office now.” He chuckled humorlessly. “This is your eighth divorce, isn’t it?”

I forced a smile, unable to reconcile the man before me with the Arthur in my memories. “I came here to clarify things with Mom.” I looked him dead in the eye. “You’re free, Arthur Hayes.”

Arthur froze, his hands at his sides trembling imperceptibly. He stared at me in surprise, then quickly regained his composure. “Playing hard to get, huh? Too bad it won’t work on me.” He scoffed. “Alright, you said it. Just don’t come crawling back to me again.” Arthur’s words were almost bitten out. Ignoring his mother’s protests, he tossed whatever he was holding onto the floor and stormed out.

Arthur’s mother’s eyes went dark with fury. She screamed after his retreating back, “You’ll regret this, Arthur Hayes!”