Chương 12: Filing For Divorce, One Step Away From Freedom

||Liliana||

Liliana threw her gaze out of the window, looking at the waves gently rolling to the shore. The contrast of the blue ocean against the white sandy beach entered her sight.

Two days ago, Liliana was discharged from the hospital.

Instead of returning to the mansion she lived in with Asher, Liliana headed to one of Old Madam Shen's holiday houses. It was located at a private beach south of the capital

"Grandma thinks... you need more time for yourself. Why don't you follow me?"

Old Madam Shen invited Liliana after the talk about divorcing Asher. The kindhearted grandmother was sad when the young lady first brought up the subject but, she didn't outrightly refuse Liliana.

Understanding Old Madam Shen's good intentions, Liliana just agreed.

The Shen family's matriarch sent Madam Ma and two other helpers to Asher and Liliana's matrimonial house. They returned with a few of Liliana's belongings.

No one stopped Madam Ma because everyone knew how influential she was within the Shen family.

Asher only got the news after Madam Ma and her subordinates returned to Old Madam Shen. He contacted his grandmother for an explanation but, Old Madam Shen just hung up on him. She was still upset with Asher.

In the beach house, Liliana was cared for greatly. All of her meals were prepared for her recovery.

Even though she had stopped bleeding, Old Madam Shen and Madam Ma insisted on taking care of her body more than usual.

"Lili."

Liliana's attention changed from the ocean to the one calling her name.

Old Madam Shen was standing at the doorway of the lounge. She was dressed warmly in a sweater and thick knitted cardigan. Her long gray hair was pulled up into a neat chignon.

"Grandma," Liliana moved away from the floor-to-ceiling windows. She hurried to Old Madam Shen who was also approaching her, "Did you get a good nap?"

"Hehe, of course, I did," Old Madam Shen let out some laughter.

Liliana held both of Old Madam Shen's wrinkly hands. She carefully led the old lady to the couch before sitting there.

Madam Ma was nowhere to be seen. She might be handling some stuff for Old Madam Shen.

In this two-story villa, only Liliana, Old Madam Shen and Madam Ma resided inside. A cook and two helpers lived in the annex building. The driver was also there.

"Laurence shall arrive here before ten," Old Madam Shen glanced at the clock hanging on the wall, "Ah, it's nine-forty-five already."

"Attorney Su?" Liliana tried to reconfirm what she heard.

"Yes," Old Madam Shen nodded.

Laurence Su was a long-time head of the legal team exclusively for Old Madam Shen. Even though he also helped the team of Shen Corporation, his focus was primarily on what the Shen family's matriarch desired.

Liliana was actually still in disbelief even though Old Madam Shen constantly reassured her. She felt so grateful when Asher's grandmother finally agreed to grant her wish to divorce him.

Initially, Liliana thought that Old Madam Shen would strongly disagree with her as well as try to make her change her mind. But, none of those happened.

"...thank you, Grandma."

That was all Liliana could say now.

Old Madam Shen held back her tears. Smiling with a hint of sorrow, she brought Liliana into her arms. She could feel how weak the young lady she had viewed as her own granddaughter was.

"Lili, Grandma just wishes that... you won't forget me after you leave Asher. No matter what, you're important to me, Lili."

Liliana nodded. She bit her lower lip hard, forcing herself not to cry. In the end, she quietly returned the hug.

"Actually, there's something that made me think that... it's better if you and Asher divorce."

Those words made Liliana pull away slightly from Old Madam Shen.

"Something?"

Old Madam Shen smiled sadly, "Yes. You remember that..."

The old lady's words were cut short by the appearance of Madam Ma.

"Old Madam and Young Madam, Attorney Su is here."

A middle-aged man in an all-black professional suit followed her from behind. Streaks of gray hair formed a light contrast against the rest of the black color. A pair of silver-rimmed spectacles sat on his crooked nose bridge.

"Laurence, hello," Old Madam Shen greeted the attorney, "How's your ride here?"

"Good morning, Old Madam Shen and Young Madam Shen," Attorney Su bowed at the two ladies before he straightened his back again, "It was a pleasant one."

"You shall sit now. Samantha, please prepare tea and snacks for us."

"Understood, Old Madam."

Attorney Su sat opposite Old Madam Shen. He placed a black briefcase on the mirror coffee table. A brown envelope was brought out from the briefcase.

"Old Madam Shen, this is the draft for the divorce agreement. Please take a look at it. If there are things you desire to change, I will take note of them."

Old Madam Shen reached out for the envelope. She handed it to Liliana. Both ladies took time to properly read what had been drafted on the papers.

Attorney Su masked his confusion well. He was caught off guard when Old Madam Shen told him to draft a divorce agreement between the young madam and the young master.

As one of the close subordinates of Old Madam Shen, Attorney Su knew how much she treasured Liliana Xin, the Shen family's first granddaughter-in-law. The Old Madam ignored the silent protest of high society when she chose the illegitimate child to be the wife of Young Master Shen.

What had happened?

It seemed like his initial guess about Old Madam Shen and Young Madam Shen having a falling out was untrue. The Shen family matriarch even ordered him to give the most favorable divorce conditions to the young lady.

"Laurence, Asher hasn't known about this, right?" Old Madam Shen asked despite knowing the attorney's great integrity.

"No, Young Master Shen is still oblivious. I handled the drafting all by myself to ensure topmost confidentiality."

Old Madam Shen nodded. Looking at Liliana who was still reading the drafts, she asked gently, "How is it, Lili? Is everything good? Or, do you want to make some changes?"

Liliana turned her head stiffly to face Old Madam Shen. Pure disbelief flickered in her brown eyes.

"Grandma... isn't this too much? I don't... I don't need everything!"

"Of course, you should have them," Old Madam Shen answered calmly, "This is one of my ways to give you protection. You know that I'm getting older and weaker, right?"

"But..." Liliana choked on her sobs, she began to cry, "This is... too much. I don't deserve it."

Old Madam Shen pressed a thumb under Liliana's right eye. Her own also glistened with tears.

"You're worthy of it. Lili, you're a dear granddaughter to me. You'd always have been. And... I know you sacrificed what you wanted to do because of him. Didn't you wish to have your own business before? You'll have all the capital you need with this."

Liliana nodded, "...yes, but... I never wished to have a big one. Just.. enough for me to live by myself."

"Take it, Lili. You know your own situation," Old Madam Shen continuously persuaded Liliana, "No matter what you wish to do, I'll support you."

Even though Liliana felt guilty for receiving even the best from the divorce that she initiated, what Old Madam Shen said was right.

The Xin family wouldn't welcome her back, Liliana understood it too well. She needed to be able to defend herself and stand up on her own.

And...

She also needed the resources for her mother too.

"Yes, Grandma. I'll accept it. Thank you so much."

Old Madam Shen smiled in relief. She moved her gaze to Attorney Su. In a firm voice, the old lady ordered, "Proceed with the divorce. Notify Asher tomorrow."

Attorney Su's lashes flickered in surprise. He nodded and answered mutedly, "I'll do according to your instruction, Old Madam."

Liliana didn't know what should she feel right now.

Once the filing went through, there was no turning back.

Finally... she would get really get rid of him from her life and heart.