With M''s nerves stretched taut the entire ride, nothing out of the ordinary happened. Adrian drove steadily, and it wasn''t until the city hall came into view that M finally breathed a sigh of relief.


    Leonard, who''d gone ahead to handle some paperwork, arrived just in time, bringing all the necessary documents. M was finally able to reim everything that Lysander had held back from her-except, of course, for the family register.


    She hadn''t forgotten she wasn''t the head of household. While they waited for the staff to review their documents, she spoke up, "Let''s sort out the address change after this."


    "Don''t have time," Lysander replied coldly.


    He didn''t bother to look at her, his tone cial. "M, do you take me for a saint? If you want something, you might consider asking nicely. Come back when you''ve learned how to ask for help properly."


    M just stared at him, exasperated. What a lunatic.


    She wasn''t desperate enough to beg Lysander for anything; dealing with him was like offering yourself up to be skinned alive. She decided to let it go. As long as the divorce went through, she was content. Anything else could wait for another opportunity.


    Halfway through the review, another staff member came in to confirm that both parties were acting of their own free will. They thoroughly exined the consequences and implications of divorce, giving them a moment to reconsider or discuss further.


    M shook her head immediately, her voice firm. "No need. I''ve thought this through."


    Lysander just sneered, saying nothing.


    The paperwork was swiftly approved. The staff exined that after a mandatory thirty-day cooling-off period, both parties needed to return in person to collect their divorce certificates.


    Only then would their marriage be officially dissolved.


    Holding her copy of the divorce application receipt, M finally let out a long breath. Without even ncing at Lysander or Leonard beside her, she gathered her documents and strode out of the city hall. Now, all she had to do was wait thirty days.


    In thirty days, she''d finally be free.


    Standing in the midday sunlight, M was suddenly overwhelmed with the urge to cry. It had taken so much just to get here. Freedom was finally within reach, and her emotions threatened to spill over.


    "M!"


    A voice called out as a car screeched to a halt in front of her. Miranda Wayne jumped out and rushed up to M, enveloping her in a joyful bear hug.


    M couldn''t help but smile at seeing her friend after so many days, though she was also puzzled. She had contacted Miranda about returning, but she never mentioneding to city hall.


    "How did you know I was here?"


    She shot a quick re at Lysander, who''d just exited the building, and shrank back a little under his smug smile. Leaning in close, Miranda whispered, "Forrest Whitmore told me. He said you should rx and take care of yourself. What a good guy, huh?"


    M froze, surprised to hear that name, a pang of bittersweet emotion tugging at her heart.


    She wondered how he was doing these days.


    Not wanting to linger around Lysander any longer, M didn''t say much. She climbed into Miranda''s car, gave her an address, and they drove away.


    ...


    At the entrance to city hall, Lysander stood in silence, watching as M''s car disappeared down the street. He hadn''t said a word the entire time.


    Once she was gone, he took a lighter from Leonard and set his own divorce application receipt aze, tossing it aside and watching it burn to ashes.


    Then he spoke, voice low andmanding:


    "Keep an eye on her. She must not leave the country."


    "Yes, sir," Leonard replied.


    Before getting into his car, Lysander cast onest nce in the direction M had gone, his eyes cool but a faint smirk curling his lips.


    "Let''s see, darling," he murmured, "which one of us gets what we want in the end."