章節 16: Too much
The next day rolled in without a hitch. Throughout the night, Heaven thought of ways and subtle methods to buy herself some time but to no avail. All she could do was accept this divorce with a heavy heart.
Until came the time Dominic walked into the private room where she had stayed for the night.
When Dominic came back, Heaven was no longer connected to an IV drip. He heard she could be discharged today, but he didn't think she was already prepared.
Heaven was sitting on the chair near the corner window with another armchair across from her and a round table in between. She already changed from a hospital gown to a casual shirt and denim pants.
No words were said even when he sat across from her. Another man, his assistant, came in with him. However, the man only placed the brown envelope on the table between the husband and wife before leaving them alone.
This was a matter no one should interfere with their affair aside from the two of them.
Heaven looked at the envelope with an ominous feeling. 'So, those inside this envelope contain the papers that will end this marriage, huh? Surely, all the mails I get only bring bad news. Be it then or now.' Heaven slowly raised her eyes at the imposing man across from her.
"If you have any questions, feel free to ask," Dominic said, breaking the prolonged silence between them, gesturing for her to take the envelope. "If you're satisfied, then simply sign them. I'd send them over to my lawyers so they can file it as soon as possible."
'Man, is he that excited about getting a divorce?' Heaven thought, mentally clicking her tongue, misunderstanding the urgency in his remarks. 'Fine. I'll just pretend to read before I sign.'
Heaven didn't say a word, too exhausted about last night's brainstorming. She bent over to pick up the brown envelope, taking her precious time to undo its tie, before finally meeting her doom in the form of several pages of paper.
'Here we go.' Heaven left the envelope on the table, leaning back against the chair with the papers in her hand.
Unlike the first time, she could now process everything in one go. She didn't feel dizzy, nor did she feel that the words were like an alien language to her. Even if she hoped to faint at this moment, her body recovered so well she could run a mile without taking a break.
'Party A (Dominic Zhu) will have full custody of the child, Sebastian Zhu,' Heaven read the first several conditions in her mind. 'Party B will have visitation rights.'
Heaven planned to skim through the divorce papers, but she ended up reading every word in it. After reaching the middle part of the conditions, she couldn't help but glance over the paper to take a peek at Dominic.
'Is this truly a punishment?' she wondered, staring at Dominic while the man stared back. 'Just what is going on in that head of yours?'
Little did she know Dominic had the same question.
'Just what is going on in that head of yours?' was also the question that suddenly resurfaced in his mind when Heaven held his gaze longer than she ever did in the past five years. What's more? She was looking at him without the usual disdain and contempt in her eyes.
Dominic wasn't the type to dwell in the past. However, for the past five years, he was treated horribly by Heaven. Whenever their path crossed, she looked at him like Dominic was a speck of dust on her expensive shoes. Even a person with a short memory could remember how Heaven treated him. Despite all of it, though, he never held a grudge against her. Not once.
'Hundred million as compensation, several hundreds of hectares, and a few properties in the biggest city in the country. Dominic Zhu, aren't you being too generous?' Heaven was the first to break the gazing competition, setting her attention back on the paper before her. 'Or did you put this, knowing Heaven will not accept them? I doubt.'
She pondered about it and was certain that wasn't the case. It didn't seem Dominic was the type to offer something, only to hold a grudge when the other party accepted. These conditions were purely out of the goodness of his heart. To be exact, this was just what he felt was right.
'To be honest, this feels like I won a lottery. Actually, it's much better than that. However…' Heaven slowly lowered the divorce papers to her lap since she already reached the end of the documents. Seeing her action, Dominic prepared himself for whatever questions or comments she had.
"I agree with everything except with one," Heaven calmly said before she laid the papers on the table and pointed at the clauses that she did not like. "This one."
His eyes followed the condition she was pointing at. It was the compensation she would get.
'Is it still too little for her?' he wondered before he frowned. 'The total of that matches ten percent of my wealth. Does she want more?'
"It's too much," Heaven simply said. The next words that flew out of her mouth made him frown.
"Too much?"
Heaven nodded. "Too much."
"Heaven."
"Do I have a say in this divorce?" Heaven cut him off before he could explain. She was very vulnerable at this moment and she might change her mind as soon as he had opened an opportunity for her. Let her be decent for once!
Dominic kept quiet, lips drawn on a thin line showing displeasure with the current situation. She nodded in satisfaction when he did not say anything more.
"Just give me enough cash to take a cab. That should be enough. And! Don't think this is about pride or anything of the sort," she hurriedly explained to avoid creating a huge misunderstanding between the two of them.
"Our marriage is already a failure from the get-go, and I am aware that I haven't been at my best for the past five years. I've already caused you enough pain," Heaven said in sadness. She lowered her head, and thought, 'Now's her time to shine.' "Receiving more from you, even at the end of this marriage, puts me in a dilemma. Give me some room for redemption. Other than that, I think everything is okay."
章節 17: An emergency
A room for redemption?
Dominic had to stop himself from laughing at the funniest joke he had ever heard. Not that it deserved mockery or ridicule, but shrugging it off was better than hoping she meant those words. Heaven had no idea what those words mean, and how destructive they could be if the receiver was someone else. For example, their son.
A moment of silence descended into the room as neither of them spoke for a while. Heaven kept her eyes on her lap while Dominic was studying her meek appearance.
"Are you sure?" he pinched the bridge of his nose and sounded annoyed at the sudden request.
"Yes," Heaven asserted and then raised her head. "That's all."
"Fine," he said with a huff. His sour expression told her he disapproved of the revision but didn't reject her request. "Sign the papers. My lawyers can just revise those later."
'Wait, what?' she thought in surprise. 'I thought they would have to redo these clauses before I sign them!'
"Hmm?"
Heaven cleared her throat, snapping back to reality. "Alright then." She picked up the fountain pen from the table, slowing down her movements as she pretended to read the paper once more. This time, the papers were already on the table.
"Bla bla bla… this here… and here… where do I sign?" she murmured, playing dumb as she stalled some more time. This was probably the last time she would see this man. It was best to familiarize herself with his presence, personality, and habits in case the knowledge would come in handy in the future.
While Heaven was reading under her breath like a buzzing bee, Dominic felt his phone vibrate against his chest. He shoved his hand inside his pocket suit, partially taking his phone out just to peek at its screen. Much to his surprise, the name on the screen was someone whose call he could never ignore.
Dominic glanced at Heaven. "I'll have to take this call. Excuse me —"
"Stay here," Heaven said in an authoritative tone. She then waved dismissively just when he was about to stand, keeping her eyes on the divorce papers. "I don't mind you taking calls. If it's not that important or confidential, just stay where I can see you."
Deep lines appeared on his forehead. Heaven had never used those words or that tone on him. Even the way she talked sounded unfamiliar. However, Dominic had no time to deal with all the changes that he noticed in Heaven. He sat down once again, casually tapping the answer button before placing the phone on his ear.
"Grandma." Just as Dominic addressed the person he was expecting from the other end of the line, his expression slowly turned hard.
There was a sudden shift of mood in the room. Heaven glanced in Dominic's direction. She frowned as soon as her eyes landed on the terror that was dominating Dominic's face.
"What did you say?"
The moment the last word left his mouth, Dominic sprung up from his seat in a hurry. He didn't even look at her, almost dashing to get to the door. Much to his surprise, just before he could reach the knob, a slender hand suddenly grabbed his arm to stop him.
"You look so pale," Heaven pointed out as soon as he looked back at her. "What's going on? What happened to Grandma?"
********
Heaven insisted on coming with Dominic even when he told her to let go. He didn't have time to explain, nor did he have the spare energy to argue with her. So in the end, he let her tag along to the Zhu family's old residence.
"How was she?" Dominic asked the doctor as soon as he exited the master's bedroom.
The old doctor offered a smile to the worried Dominic and said, "Do not worry, young master. The Old Madam is alright. She probably got too worked up, so she fainted, but rest is all she needed."
"I see," Dominic said. Relief flooded his voice as he felt like a thorn was plucked out of his throat. He pressed his temple slightly as a habit whenever he was under stress.
"Young master, the Old Madam is still strong and healthy. Do not worry. She will be fine." the doctor tapped Dominic's shoulder, squeezing it mildly as if to remind the young master to relax and breathe. "I've already left a note to Butler Fu. I'll be on my way."
"Thank you, Doctor." Dominic politely lowered his head while the doctor excused himself. The doctor noticed Heaven. He, too, bowed in her direction before he went his way.
Heaven stayed on the side, keeping a good distance from Dominic. She watched everything unfold, studying what sort of man Dominic was behind the man he presented himself to her.
Dominic was like a lion at first glance, as she had observed. He was quiet most of the time, but his presence was hard to ignore. Surprisingly, despite his cold and seemingly aloof appearance, his personality was quite different from what others would expect from him.
He wasn't as cold as his face, nor was he arrogant. In fact, he was considerate and polite. He gave respect when respect was due and expressed gratitude when necessary.
'He was more human than what he appeared to be,' she thought, pressing her lips into a thin line when he suddenly glanced in her direction.
"Young master," a voice rang out. Just as the silence was about to settle in between them, an old man came from the master bedroom. Heaven and Dominic naturally shifted their attention to him.
"Butler Fu, how's grandma?" Dominic asked, his voice full of worry.
"The Old Madam is requesting to see you, young master." Butler Fu smiled at Dominic and then looked in Heaven's direction. "She's also requesting to see the young madam."
'Me?' Heaven asked in surprise, then pointed at herself, and Butler Fu nodded. 'Why?'
Heaven glanced at Dominic to see his reaction. There was a trace of displeasure in his eyes, but she was certain this unpleasant look didn't originate from the Old Madam's request. It was more like Dominic seemed to have guessed the reason the Old Madam, his grandmother, called for them.
"Please. The Old Madam is waiting." Butler Fu's gentle voice brought Dominic and Heaven back to reality. The two cast him an odd look while he maintained his kind smile.
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