The five-year deadline had arrived, and without a second thought, I tossed the divorce agreement onto Jaiden Armstrong's lap. Jaiden barely reacted, thinking this was just another one of my temper tantrums, as if he believed I would always stick around. But even the most genuine love can be worn down by constant letdowns.

I turned off the calendar alert on my phone and laid the divorce papers, prepared well in advance, onto the table. The living room was empty, lacking any semblance of warmth. I rubbed the ring on my finger, amazed at how five years had flown by so swiftly.

"What time will you be home?" I asked after dialing his number. In the background, I heard the clinking of glasses and a woman's soft giggle.

"Always with the nagging, aren't you?" Jaiden replied, irritation evident in his voice.

"The divorce papers are ready. Come back and sign them," I said, feeling a weight lift from my shoulders. "I won't bother you anymore."

The woman on the other end laughed, a sycophantic sound, and seconds later, the call ended abruptly. I took off the ring and placed it beside the divorce agreement. As the clock ticked on, I waited from afternoon until the veil of night fell. It was close to midnight when Jaiden staggered in, reeking of alcohol.

I sat motionless in the living room, a stark contrast to my usual routine of greeting him, hanging up his coat, and making him coffee. Jaiden shrugged off his jacket, scowled when he saw no one there to take it, and frowned in irritation.

"I'm back, so what's your gripe now?"

I slid the divorce papers over to him, meeting his gaze steadily. Jaiden glanced at the papers with disdain, unsteady on his feet as he leafed through them, wary of any hidden tricks.

"There's nothing to worry about," I assured him, "I only want to leave you."

I studied Jaiden's face—handsome, tall, and polished. Such a shame he was a complete jerk. Jaiden finished reading the papers, looking at me with suspicion.

"Are you seriously asking for nothing? No ulterior motives?" he asked. "Ada, just say the word. How much do you want?"

I laughed, though it was tinged with bitterness, tears brimming in my eyes.

"After all this time, you still think I married you just for the money?"

"Why else?" Jaiden shot back, pausing before adding, "At least you've come to your senses."

Ten years since we first met, five years of marriage, and all Jaiden saw in me was a gold digger. I snatched the papers and hurled them back at him. His stunned expression quickly morphed into anger as he pointed at me, spewing curses.

I couldn't even find the strength to argue. I started packing my things. Despite the late hour, I determinedly dragged my suitcase and left. Jaiden was finally rid of me, and I had satisfied Donald Armstrong's final wish.

I heard Jaiden shout after me, "I'll have the lawyer draw up another version. You can sign it at the office tomorrow."

The icy night air cut through me like knives, piercing my heart. Jaiden, from now on, no one's going to care for you or manage the Armstrong business for you. I hope you don't let Donald down.

The next day, I arrived at the office early, a bundle of nerves. Jaiden's assistant noticed I had been sitting there for over two hours, likely feeling awkward on my behalf. In an attempt to comfort me, they kept bringing coffee and snacks, urging me to relax.

“Ms. Armstrong, Mr. Armstrong has probably been delayed by urgent business,” the assistant suggested, rubbing their hands together with a stiff smile.

I took a sip of coffee, and the bitterness was palpable. Everyone in the company knew Jaiden was aloof towards me. The assistant was polite enough to still call me Ms. Armstrong, but to everyone else, that title had lost its significance.

Around noon, Jaiden finally strolled into the office, accompanied by his cheerful secretary, Emery Daniels. They stood close, their arms nearly touching. Emery spotted me and stepped away, a flicker of fear crossing her face.

"Jaiden," I sneered, "this is a professional setting. Walking around with your girlfriend so openly tarnishes the Armstrong reputation!"

Emery's voice was quivering, gentle yet teary, "Ada, it's not how it appears between Mr. Armstrong and me..."

“Call me Ms. Armstrong or Mrs. Armstrong in the office,” I corrected, towering over her. “Isn’t it a basic rule for a secretary? Such professionalism, huh."

Emery glared at me with resentment before hiding behind Jaiden, sniffling. Jaiden snapped in her defense, "I don’t need you lecturing my staff."

“I’ve had a revised divorce agreement drawn up. You’ll have the house and cash; I’m not leaving you empty-handed,” he said.

Hearing about the divorce agreement, Emery’s eyes sparkled. I shot her a disdainful look, and she promptly lowered her gaze.

I quickly glanced through the agreement and signed my name with flourish. Without any hesitation on my part, Jaiden coughed a couple of times.

“You’ve checked it over, once you sign…”

“No regrets, don’t worry. We’ll wrap it up in a month,” I cut him off, grabbing my bag and leaving decisively.

Grandpa, forgive me. Jaiden's heart isn't here, and I can't endure any longer.

I booked my ticket back to the countryside, finally setting off for home after so many years.

Upon getting off the train, I transferred to a minibus, then traversed bumpy dirt roads until I reached the village. The city was ever-changing, but the village was the same—old and worn down.

There wasn’t a flower shop in the village, so I spent the afternoon collecting wildflowers from the hills, arranging them neatly before placing them at my parents' graves. They had worked in a badly managed fireworks factory and died in an explosion. Just like that, I was orphaned, and it was the Armstrong Charity Fund that came to my aid.

By the time I graduated college, I joined the Armstrong company and met the Armstrong family. I worked tirelessly, intent on repaying them.

Donald Armstrong, on his deathbed, asked me to take care of Jaiden for five years.

“Ada, that boy Jaiden, he’s been too carefree,” he advised.

“I know you like him; I’ll make the choice for you.”

Back then, Jaiden was tall, handsome, with a charmingly mischievous air—the type girls swoon over. Coming from the village, seeing Jaiden in his elegant attire made him seem like a prince from a fairy tale.

“If after five years, you still find it unsuitable, you can divorce anytime. The Armstrong family will see you rewarded.”

“Ada, give Jaiden a chance, and give yourself a chance too.”

I blushed, anxiously awaiting Jaiden’s response.

I naively believed Jaiden’s agreement meant he had feelings for me. But on our wedding night, he looked at me with outright contempt.

“Ada Armstrong, you sure know how to play your cards!”

In the five years we've known each other, Jaiden never truly trusted me. He believed I manipulated his grandfather, Donald, to gain his favor. Throughout our marriage, I devoted myself to bolstering Armstrong Industries, working tirelessly without complaint. Meanwhile, Jaiden's name frequently appeared in the gossip columns, linked to one affair after another. I never caused a scene, always trying my best to keep Jaiden on track.

For those five years, I counted down the days. If I couldn’t hold on to Jaiden, I decided I would let him go. As the sun set, its warm rays bathed my face and lit up my parents' gravestones. I poured out my grievances from these years, my nose stinging with emotion.

"Dad, Mom, I regret it," I whispered. "Back then, there was a mix of selfishness with my gratitude. I liked Jaiden and let my feelings get the better of me. I have no one to blame but myself for the situation we're in now." I sighed. "If I hadn't been so caught up in Jaiden's looks and had focused solely on my career without marrying, would things have turned out differently?"

As I left, the sinking sunlight stretched my shadow behind me, long and solitary. I slipped into a restless sleep, my mind clouded for days. Initially, I thought it was just years of hard work catching up to me—a persistent fatigue that finally took hold.

Back in New York City, a hospital visit and a diagnosis left me stunned. How could I have only a few months left?

“Ada, don’t forget about tomorrow at the county office,” Jaiden's voice crackled through the phone. I froze, unable to speak or react.

“Why so quiet? Have you changed your mind? Let me tell you…” Jaiden's tone was dripping with sarcasm, and soon all I heard was a buzzing like bees around my ears. I returned home, feeling lost and adrift. Dad, Mom, I miss you. I’ll be joining you soon. After tomorrow, I won’t have a home anymore.

That night, sleep was elusive as I tossed and turned. Who will take care of my affairs when I'm gone? The thought of leaving this world completely alone filled me with fear. The next morning, I faced the mirror, layering foundation until my pallor was masked. With bright red lipstick, I managed to bring some color to my face.

“What time do you call this?” Jaiden grumbled impatiently, looking at me with disdain. “That makeup is over the top.”

“I need to tell you something, I…” I hesitated, choosing my words carefully.

“Ada, why are you so late? Mr. Armstrong has been waiting for you,” Emery timidly emerged from behind Jaiden.

Pain gripped my chest again, and I clenched my fists in frustration. “Jaiden, bringing your mistress to the divorce—could you be any more shameless?”

“Ada, stop with the nonsense! We have business this afternoon—Emery's just here to sign some contracts with me.”

I had hoped to appeal to Jaiden’s compassion, seeking comfort in my fear of death. But faced with this scene, I lost all hope in him. What can you expect from a man who brings his mistress to the divorce?

I strode briskly toward the county office, with Jaiden trying to keep up. Suddenly stopping at the entrance, I pointed at Emery, my voice filled with bitterness. “Are you here to settle your affairs too? Getting divorced and remarried, one-stop shopping?"