[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-26032200D266-477":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},477,10,"Chapter 10: The Last Payment Of Our Marriage","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A sudden $45 million hit my bank account, courtesy of Diego Cox. In exchange, I sent him a set of divorce papers.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">His attorney was a regular visitor, pleading for him. Diego wouldn't sign. When Armando Sullivan found out, he took the papers to Diego’s office himself. That ended in a full-blown brawl.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The city was obsessed. The gossip mill was working overtime:\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Diego Cox was supposed to be Mr. Cool. Now he’s chasing his ex-wife like a total simp.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"It’s honestly pathetic. He humiliated her in public for years, and now he’s acting like a clingy mess? Just let her go.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Seriously, give the girl a break.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">When Armando returned, his face was a map of bruises and cuts.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"He won't sign,\" he said, running a hand through his hair. \"I’m taking it to court. We’ll force the issue.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The divorce remained a stalemate. That was until Diego showed up again, dragging Aliza Cook with him. This time, Aliza’s attitude had done a complete one-eighty.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Kya, I’ve changed my mind,\" she said, her voice tight. \"I’ll donate the marrow. You can have as much as you need.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I sat on my hospital bed, stunned.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Diego kept his tone cold and detached. \"I told her that if she helps you, her family will be taken care of. It only seems fair.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I was silent for a beat, then I shook my head.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I don't want it,\" I said. \"A donation born from threats isn't fair to anyone.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">In truth, I never hated Aliza. She had pulled out of the donation once she realized I was Diego’s wife—that was her choice, and her right. I wanted to live, but not at the cost of my dignity.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Aliza began to tremble. She dropped to her knees, clutching the edge of my bed, sobbing. \"Please, Kya. I’m begging you! If you just accept it, Diego will settle my father’s gambling debts and cover my mother’s medical bills. I’ll be set for life! I was greedy, I know—but I’m desperate...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I hesitated, a wave of conflict washing over me. Even Armando, who had been quiet until now, urged me on.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You don't have to feel guilty,\" he said, his jaw set. \"I’ll hire the best surgeons. You’ll make a full recovery.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Diego gripped my arm. \"He’s right, Kya. I just want you to survive.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I pulled away, the distance between us stark. After a long moment, I gave a faint nod.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The surgery was a success. My oncologist even stopped by to celebrate.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">When the room finally cleared, I pulled out the divorce papers again. The smile vanished from Diego’s face. Whatever vows we once exchanged, they had long since dissolved into nothing.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">This was the bridge I had to cross.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Sign it,\" I said. \"I’ll return the money. Consider what you’ve spent on me the final payment for our marriage—it’s more than enough.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Diego’s hands trembled as he stared at the document. \"But... how will you survive without me? Do you really have to walk away?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I looked toward Armando. \"My former boss offered me a position at his firm. I can take care of myself.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I turned back to Diego. \"As for us, this is the end.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Diego’s eyes grew red, filling with unshed tears. He wanted to fight it, to argue, but the words died in his throat. The old, burning obsession that once defined us had simply burned out.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Finally, he took the pen from Armando and signed.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He walked out, his steps hesitant. He kept glancing back, trying to memorize my face—the face of a woman he knew he would never see again.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The door clicked shut. Five years of a volatile, suffocating marriage, finally over.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I sat there, snacking on apple slices Armando had cut for me, watching the clear sky beyond the window. The winter sun warmed my skin. For the first time in years, the future felt like it was finally, truly mine.\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272929255]