The divorce agreement was prepared on the third day. Zoe no longer came home. She had her secretary deliver the agreement to me and ensure I signed it without delay. "Mr. Harper, please sign here, and in a month, you and Zoe will just need to collect the divorce certificate," Secretary Emma pointed to a blank spot on the document. Her expression was complex, looking at me with a hint of sympathy.
I was slouched on the sofa, nodding weakly before slowly sitting up, my hands trembling. I was tired, not from physical exertion but from the draining of life itself. I picked up the pen and glanced at the agreement. Zoe was generous to me. She left me the villa and an additional fifty million.
"Mr. Harper, there's another condition here, please look," Emma pointed to a line. I looked and pressed down the pen in silence. "After the divorce, the man shall not appear in front of the woman for any reason, or it will be considered a breach of contract."
It was a new condition. The physical pain awakened sharply; I gasped for air, clutching my chest, trying to tear apart the pain cancer brought. "What's wrong, Mr. Harper?" Emma was startled. I lowered my head, exhaling slowly, and signed my name. Each stroke was a farewell to the past ten years, erasing every memory of Zoe.
Once done, I regained composure and smiled, "Signed." Emma packed up the agreement, hesitating before saying, "Mr. Harper, don't be too saddened. I think Zoe does like you, she's just stuck in the past, her love remained ten years ago." Emma, more than just Zoe's secretary, was also her close friend and knew many things.
I waved it off, "Don't talk nonsense, or Zoe might deduct your salary. Go on, I'll accompany Zoe to get the divorce certificate next month." Emma sighed and left with the document. Once the door closed, my body relaxed, sinking into the sofa like a lump of rotten flesh. Too tired. Too painful. I wondered if I would live to see the day we collect the divorce certificate.