Requiem for the Godfather

When Julian forced me to sign the divorce papers for the sake of that movie star again, I finally gave in.

He paused, the cigar in his hand freezing mid-air. After a moment, his lips curled into a smirk that wasn’t quite a smile.

"What? You’re actually listening this time?"

He scoffed. "Is this a new trick because going crazy didn't work?"

I slid my wedding ring off my finger and placed it on the table.

"No," I said calmly. "I just don't want to fight anymore."

After a long silence, Julian stubbed out his cigar.

He leaned against the wall, his posture relaxed and arrogant.

"There’s really no rush, you know."

"It's just that Scarlett is very popular right now."

"You always harassing her is really annoying. Do you understand?"

I didn't answer.

Stroke by stroke, I signed my name on the divorce agreement: Ava.

Only then did I speak. "Don't worry. I won't do it again."

Julian’s body stiffened slightly. I couldn't tell what he was thinking.

A moment later, he stood up straight. There was a hint of irritation in his voice that was hard to detect.

"Fine. It better stay that way."

"Otherwise... you know the consequences."

My body trembled instinctively.

The last time he forced me to discuss divorce, I had an emotional breakdown.

I had anonymously sent private photos—photos Scarlett sent to provoke me—to a tabloid.

But Julian used the full force of the Moretti Family to crush me.

He sued me for defamation. He forced me to apologize publicly in front of everyone and pay a sky-high "mental damage" fee.

That time, after announcing my punishment, Julian had watched my breakdown with that same effortless control.

He had raised an eyebrow and whispered, "Honey, are you satisfied with this result?"

It was strange. Back then, it was so painful, so suffocating.

But looking back now, I felt nothing but irony.

After dragging my suitcase out the heavy gates of the estate, I looked at the plane ticket in my hand.

It hit me slowly.

I had finally let go of this pathetic, humiliating love.