Seven Years of Winter Before Spring

Wendy stood in the corner of the wedding hall. Her fingers dug into her palms.

Tomorrow was the day.

Tomorrow was the day their divorce was finalized. She could finally leave this place for good.

However, she had to watch Miles marry Vivian with her own eyes today.

The red carpet was lined with guests, and Belinda sat in her wheelchair, smiling brightly.

Music swelled, and Miles, sharp in a black suit, walked slowly down the aisle with Vivian’s arm in his.

Wendy’s mind drifted to her own wedding day.

The same hall. The same red carpet. Miles’s hands were sweaty with nerves, yet he gripped hers tightly and whispered in her ears, “Wendy, I finally get to marry you.”

Now, he walked with another woman, calmly tracing the path they had once walked together.

A tear fell before she could stop it. Wendy quickly wiped it away, but the murmurs of the guests reached her ears.

“Isn’t that Mr. Carter’s ex-wife? How dare she show her face here?”

“Isn't she mentally unstable? She nearly killed Mr. Carter's mother.”

“Tsk, how pathetic.”

Wendy barely registered the words. Her gaze was fixed on Miles on the stage.

For a moment, he seemed to feel something. His eyes searched the crowd, and then they landed on her tear-streaked face.

Miles paused for a moment. His expression was complicated, but he said nothing. He turned back to complete the ceremony.

‘Wendy, you’ll understand me, won’t you?’ he thought to himself.

After the wedding, the guests gradually left.

Wendy had just reached the main bedroom door when sounds from inside made her freeze.

“Easy, Miles.”

Vivian’s sultry voice stabbed straight into Wendy’s chest.

Her body tensed, fingers trembling, as she heard Miles’ low, heavy breathing.

“Shh.”

“What are you afraid of?” Vivian giggled. “She’s going to find out sooner or later anyway.”

“Shut your mouth.”

“Do you regret marrying her?” Vivian suddenly asked.

Wendy held her breath.

A few tense seconds passed before Miles’ irritated voice answered,

“Yes. I do.”

Those two words scorched her from the inside out.

She remembered that day at the altar, when he had solemnly promised he would never regret marrying her.

Yet he regretted it now.

She could not bear to hear more and stumbled back to the guest room, slamming the door and collapsing to the floor.

The sounds from next door lasted late into the night. The creaking bed, Vivian’s moans, and Miles’ low groans…

Finally, Belinda’s delighted voice rang out. “Have a baby soon! I’m waiting to hold my grandchild!”

Wendy leaned against the wall, tears streaming, but a bitter smile formed on her lips.

By morning, she had packed all her belongings. She glanced down at her phone.

Today was the last day.

From downstairs came laughter and chatter.

As she walked down the stairs, she saw Miles bending over to tie his mother’s scarf, and Vivian holding a delicate purse beside him. The three of them were smiling, looking every bit like a happy family.

“Well, up so early?” Belinda’s smile immediately turned cold when she spotted Wendy. “We’re going out. Remember to change the sheets in the master bedroom.”

Vivian pretended to be concerned. “Belinda, let the maids do it. Wendy’s hand is still injured.”

Only then did Miles notice Wendy. His brow furrowed. “Where are you going?”

“Today's the day our divorce is finalized.” Wendy stared him straight in the eyes. Her voice was eerily calm. “I’m going to the civil affairs office.”

Miles froze for a moment. “I promised to take Mom and Vivian to the hot springs hotel today.”

The air went still for a moment.

“Go cancel it.” He suddenly said, “Let me spend the next couple of days with them, and everything will be just like before.”

“Okay.” Wendy lowered her head and replied in a soft tone.

Miles let out a sigh of relief and went to help his mother. “Mom, let’s go.”

Wendy stayed still, watching the black Maybach slowly pull out of the driveway.

Only when it disappeared completely did she wipe the tears from her face, grab her suitcase, and walk to the front gate without looking back.

The official seal clicked lightly as the document closed.

“This is your divorce certificate. Please keep it safe.” The staff handed her a document. “The property division agreement has been signed by your ex-husband.”

Wendy did not even look at it. She shoved the divorce certificate into a courier envelope and filled in the address of the Carter residence.

“Please deliver to this address, cash on delivery.”

Outside the office, a car had arrived to pick her up. The driver waved when they saw her. “Here!”

Wendy opened the door and, as though remembering something, pulled the wedding ring from her pocket. It was the ring Miles had slipped onto her finger by the ocean. The inner band was engraved with ‘Forever.’

She stared at it for two seconds, then tossed it out the window.

It clinked onto the middle of the street, quickly crushed under the wheels of passing cars.

“Let’s go.” Wendy closed the door. “I’m never coming back.”