These voices felt all too familiar, given that I'd heard them over the phone just last night.

Arianna was skipping along, holding a folder tight, and trailing closely beside Corbin. Her vivacity was palpable; she glowed with beauty and carried herself with an air of confidence and zest. Corbin inclined his head slightly, engrossed in whatever she was chattering about. I couldn't catch Arianna's words, but they must have been amusing, as Corbin’s smile widened noticeably.

“Hey…”

The young woman noticed me heading straight toward Corbin but didn't have the chance to stop me.

“Corbin.”

My voice drew their attention, and both turned to face me. I clearly saw surprise flit across Corbin’s face.

I asked whether Corbin had wrapped up his meeting. If he had, it was time to hash out our issues.

“I arrived at ten and have been waiting for you for two hours.”

“Who told you I was in a meeting?”

To my surprise, Corbin frowned and shot back a question. I was caught off guard and instinctively looked at him. The confusion in Corbin’s eyes seemed genuine, not an act. We both realized the misunderstanding almost simultaneously. I stayed quiet as Corbin scanned the office with a serious look. Everyone kept their heads down, avoiding eye contact. The young woman who had led me in shrank further, lowering her head. She quickly glanced at Arianna before dropping her gaze again.

Of course. Only someone like Arianna would dare pull such tricks in the office.

“I forgot to inform everyone that the meeting was canceled. It wasn’t intentional. I apologize, Mr. Murray.”

Arianna puckered her lips, giving Corbin an innocent look. Corbin, ever lenient towards her antics, chose not to reprimand her this time.

“Come in.”

He invited me, dismissing the incident. As I walked past Arianna, I noticed the pride and challenge shimmering in her eyes.

"Please, have a seat."

Entering the office, Corbin Murray greeted me as if I were a guest of honor. My eyes drifted to the sofa, which was overflowing with plush toys. The bookshelves had transformed into snack storage, and the door to the private lounge stood slightly ajar, revealing some disheveled women's clothing strewn across the floor. Corbin’s gaze, impossible to decipher, met mine, prompting me to avert my eyes, feeling somewhat out of place.

"Here's the paperwork."

Corbin handed me the divorce papers, watching intently as I went through them. "We've shared a long history; you won't be lacking. You can pick any of the cars or houses you prefer. If there's anything else on your mind, just say."

Was this meant to be some kind of recompense? That was the only thought that flashed through my mind, yet it didn’t affect my pace in reading. The agreement offered more than enough for a lifetime. Corbin had always been generous, never miserly in such matters.

"No need. Just this," I replied, "and the house I've been living in—that should suffice."

I signed the papers smoothly and handed them back to Corbin. He seemed ready to say more, his mouth opening only to shut again upon seeing my actions. He seemed shocked that we were done in less than five minutes.

I stood up.

"The divorce has a one-month grace period before it's final. I'll be in touch then."

With that, I turned to leave.

"Zainab."

"Yes?"

"Is that really all you have to say to me?" Corbin's brow furrowed, disbelief coloring his voice.

I looked at him, confused by the sincerity of his question. After a pause, I genuinely asked, "At this point, are you expecting me to wish you and Arianna a blissful and fulfilling life together?"

I've moved on, but not quite to that level.

"..."

Corbin was silent, his eyes revealing a depth of emotion. As I reached for the door handle, his voice found me once more.

"Zainab, in the end, I'm the one who failed you. I'll continue to take care of your mom's medical expenses."

Mentioning my mom stopped me in my tracks. If anyone wanted me to stay with Corbin Murray more than anyone else, it was certainly her.

Corbin and I started building our lives together when we were seventeen. In those tough days, we would share a single meal, and Corbin always made sure I got the roast beef. In the bitter cold of winter, he worked as a bicycle messenger, saving every penny. He wouldn’t spend a cent on himself but once managed to buy me a ring.

"Even though it's just a simple band now, one day I'll give you a bigger, brighter diamond," he promised.

We lived in a tiny basement apartment, barely a few hundred square feet. With no heat in winter, we kept warm by holding each other close. When summer came, it got so hot that Corbin took me to sleep in the park.

My mom saw all this, and it broke her heart. She sold everything she had to help Corbin start his business. When he earned his first fortune, he bought a luxurious condo downtown, with perfect climate control all year round. In front of my mom, he vowed to always take care of me.

My mom was moved to tears, managing to say only, "You two must look after each other."

I was hopeful then, thinking the future was full of promise. But in just a few short years, everything changed beyond recognition.

Corbin cheated. My mom was diagnosed with cancer. Her treatment costs tens of thousands each year. If it weren’t for Corbin covering the expenses, I might have lost her long ago.

But now...

"No need to trouble yourself. Thanks." I concluded the meeting politely, opened the door, and left.