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Chapter7 He and I Are No Longer Related

Vincent adjusted his glasses and asked, "So, what about Ethan? Are you guys done too?"

Emily, with zero emotion, replied, "Ethan and I are getting a divorce. We're done."

She added, "I need to wait for the police to clear my name. Once the divorce is final, I'm out of Maple Valley."

Emily didn't mention where she was headed next. Vincent was still technically part of the Watson Family, and she didn't want to get tangled up with him.

Vincent's eyes narrowed, like he didn't buy what Emily was saying. He slowly sank back into the sofa and asked, "No ties with Ethan? Didn't you once tell me Ethan meant more to you than your own life?"

Emily's eyes hardened as she shot back, "Not anymore."

Vincent looked up, studying her. He saw the determination in her eyes and a tiny, almost invisible smile crept onto his lips.

Ethan, standing at the door, heard everything and stormed off, fuming. He didn't even know why he was so mad.

Ethan muttered to himself, "Emily better mean it when she says we're done. No excuses when the divorce is final."

Back in his hospital room, Ethan fell asleep and had a dream. In it, he saw the school building's rear wall bathed in the setting sun, the scent of gardenias from a girl, and her smiling face beneath a wall covered in blooming roses.

Ethan woke up with a start, heart pounding and drenched in sweat.

He didn't want to remember his past with Emily. Now, he only wanted to be with Amy.

He recalled Emily's words, "See you at the courthouse in a month. We'll get the divorce."

Ethan rubbed his temples. He didn't want to wait another moment and didn't want any more entanglements with Emily.

Early the next morning, Ethan showed up at Emily's hospital room door.

Just as he was about to knock, he heard Brian Moore's voice inside. Ethan peeked through the glass on the door.

Brian was sitting by Emily's bed, trying to persuade her, "Emily, Lisa grew up with you. How can you let her go to jail? She drugged Ethan's drink to create a chance for you two! She did it for you!"

Ethan frowned. Lisa drugged the drink? Were they putting on a show for him?

Emily's head was still throbbing. Leaning against the headboard, she widened her eyes and sat up straight at Brian's words. She shouted, "For my sake? Don't guilt-trip me! I never remember telling her to pull such a cheap trick. Now my photos are posted everywhere, my life is a mess. What about her? What has she lost? Does she think this is a joke? How can she treat someone else's life so casually?"

Brian lowered his head, wringing his hands, and said softly, "She was just worried about you. When she saw Ethan about to be with Amy, she was afraid you wouldn't have a chance, so she thought she'd create one for you! She didn't think it through and didn't expect Ethan to be so harsh, posting your photos on the school forum." Brian's voice grew quieter. "Emily, can you drop the charges? Lisa is still young; she can't have her life ruined by this. I'll go explain to Ethan."

Brian and Lisa were siblings and childhood friends of Ethan; in a way, they all grew up together.

As Brian mentioned, after Emily woke up, hardly anyone supported her being with Ethan, except for Lisa.

Emily gripped the blanket tightly, closed her eyes to suppress her anger, and coldly asked, "Why doesn't she come and tell me herself?"

Brian bit his lip and said softly, "Lisa knows she messed up and feels guilty to face you. I know what you're worried about. You're worried that even if Lisa tells Ethan the truth now, he'll think she's lying to protect you."

Emily's voice was indifferent. "It doesn't matter how Ethan sees me anymore. I don't care."

Whether Ethan thought she was shameless or disgusting, it didn't matter. They were getting divorced anyway. Once she left Maple Valley, her absence would bring a peaceful reprieve.

Standing outside, eavesdropping, Ethan felt a sudden surge of anger upon hearing Emily's words, his fists clenching instinctively.

Brian tried to negotiate with Emily, "Since you don't care about Ethan's opinion, can you drop the charges?"

Emily, eyes closed, spoke weakly, "Not caring about Ethan's opinion doesn't mean I can forgive Lisa's mistake. I'm bearing the brunt of these rumors. Which school or company would  accept me in the future? I need Ethan to publicly apologize and clear my name because I still have my own life to live, Brian."

Brian understood.

Ethan frowned and pushed the door open.

Seeing Ethan enter, Emily's gaze grew even colder.

Ethan's nostrils were dilating in fury. Seeing Emily's indifferent expression towards him made him even angrier. He shouted at Emily, "Let's finalize the divorce today, and then stay far away from me and Amy's life. I'll publicly apologize to you tomorrow!"

Brian stood up, surprised that Ethan had come over, and quickly tried to explain, "Ethan! Emily didn't drug you; Lisa did."

Ethan snapped at Brian, "What's with you and Lisa? Protecting her like this? Is it fun?"

Emily's heart grew colder. She had already decided to let go of Ethan completely. As long as Ethan publicly apologized, she could smoothly get into the University of Veritas. She had already contacted Professor Scott at the University of Veritas. Since they were going to divorce sooner or later, it was better to do it quickly.

Brian feared Ethan's harsh words might provoke Emily into pursuing Lisa, so he hurriedly explained, "It really was Lisa who did it. She was..."

Emily interrupted him, calmly saying to Ethan, "When do you want to finalize the divorce? I can go with you now."

Ethan didn't expect Emily to agree so quickly and was momentarily speechless.

Seeing Ethan not respond, Emily asked again, "What time do you want to finalize the divorce? I'm available anytime."

Emily's attitude suddenly made Ethan feel particularly irritable, though he didn't know why. He shouted, "Now! Immediately! Right away!"

Emily, hearing this, got out of bed and said, "Alright, I'll change my clothes. Brian, you can go back. I'll drop the charges."

Brian didn't expect things to be resolved so smoothly. Just as he was about to leave, Ethan grabbed him and said, "Don't go. You drive us to the courthouse and be our witness. I'm afraid she'll change her mind suddenly."

Emily didn't argue upon hearing Ethan's words and expressionlessly went to the restroom to change her clothes.

On the way to the courthouse, the three of them were lost in their own thoughts, and no one spoke.

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