However, Alex wasn''t answering my calls, leaving me with no way to exin myself.


    Sensing my low spirits, Tom pressed his lips together and remained silent.


    I took a deep breath and forced a smile, saying, "It''s gettingte. Let''s head back."


    Tom nodded. "Alright, let''s go."


    ...


    The joy I felt from finally being able to get a divorce was mostly dampened by the unpleasant exchange with Alex.


    I slept through the night undisturbed, without any dreams.


    Early the next morning, Dawn came knocking at my door.


    Caught in the middle of brushing my teeth, I quickly rinsed out the foam before running to answer the door.


    "You haven''t had breakfast yet, right? I bought some pancakes for you along the way. Let''s eat first before going to the courthouse," Dawn said cheerfully, carrying the food to the dining table.


    I quickly turned around to grab some tes and forks from the kitchen.


    Sitting across from me, Dawn noticed my poorplexion and raised her eyebrows. "Grace, today''s your big day. Why do you seem upset? Don''t tell me you''re still hung up on that scumbag?"


    "No way." I smiled at her, then let out a sigh. I recounted the phone call from Alex from the night before.


    "How could Alex be like that?" Dawn huffed angrily. "Even if you did have an affair, he can''t pin your mother''s death on his own sister like that! That''s just cruel!"


    I couldn''t help but frown, also feeling that Alex''s behavior during that phone call was quite unusual. It was as though... He was in a hurry to condemn me without hearing me out!


    However, no matter how much I thought about it, I couldn''t think of a reason for him to do that.


    "Alright, don''t be upset. You''re about to finalize your divorce with Gavin! This is a day to celebrate, so you should be smiling!"


    I startedughing because of the silly faces Dawn was making, and I couldn''t help but nod in agreement.


    After we finished eating, Dawn tossed the dishes into the sink without bothering to wash them and dragged me toward the door. "Come one, let''s go already! Forget the dishes! Your divorce is more important!"


    ...


    When Dawn and I arrived at the courthouse, I was surprised to see Gavin already there. I instinctively nced at the car behind him.


    "I came alone. Mandy didn''te along," Gavin said in a low voice, his lips pursed.


    Hearing this, Dawn couldn''t help but scoff. "She''s probably resting at home for the baby."


    "Dawn!" I quickly tugged on her shirt, not wanting to stir up trouble now that Gavin had finally agreed to the divorce. I just wanted to get things over with.


    "Go wait for me in the car. I''lle find you once it''s done."


    Dawn nodded, then shot a re at Gavin before opening the car door to sit inside.


    Once she was in the car, I turned back to Gavin and said, "Let''s go."


    However, he didn''t move. He stood in ce and stared at me intently, his lips pressed tightly together.


    Just as my patience was about to run out, he suddenly asked me in a hoarse voice, "Gracie, do you still love me?"


    I couldn''t help but frown. I didn''t expect him to ask such a question at this point.


    Seeing my silence, Gavin''s expression lit up with faint excitement. He suddenly grabbed my hand and said, "You still love me, don''t you? Gracie, if you don''t want a divorce, let''s just forget this whole thing!"