The Last Leaf of Devotion

Odessa's voice wasn't loud, but it was enough to bring the entire lobby to a standstill.

One by one, curious faces emerged, all eyes drawn to the tense moment unfolding. Every gaze settled firmly on Odessa.

She tightened her grip on the divorce papers, but her eyes remained unwavering and determined.

Ansel's expression hardened. His fists clenched tightly as he spat, "Odessa, must you really do this?"

She held his stare, wiping away a tear. "No matter how many times you ask, my answer won't change. Just sign the papers. Let's finally be done with each other."

Ansel said nothing. His cold eyes bore into her, the air around him thickening with tension.

From the sidelines, Sydney's heart soared, bursting like fireworks lighting up the night sky.

She didn't hesitate to stoke the fire. Gripping Ansel's collar, she looked up at him, tears glistening in her eyes. "Ansel, please… put me down. This is all my fault. Don't fight with Odessa because of me."

Sydney's sobs scraped at Odessa's patience, but she met them with a cold, unwavering smile. "Come on, Mr. Halberg, just sign it. Your little princess needs you."

Hearing her say "Mr. Halberg" pushed Ansel over the edge. His face darkened, and a bitter laugh slipped out. "Fine, Odessa. So you want a divorce that badly, huh? Don't expect me to take it back when you come running!"

Odessa closed her eyes. "I won't regret this," she declared firmly.

"Great. Then let's get divorced!" Ansel snapped.

Without hesitation, he set Sydney down and yanked the papers from Odessa's hands, his fists clenched tight with tension.

His cold voice cut through Odessa like a blade. Tears brimmed at the edge of her eyes, but she swallowed them down.

She gave the receptionist a strained smile and said, "Could I borrow a pen, please? Thank you."

"Sure… no problem."

As the receptionist handed Odessa the pen, Ansel's eyes shifted to her.

He said nothing, but the fire simmering in his bloodshot eyes was unmistakable. Startled, the receptionist quickly withdrew her hand, her voice trembling. "Sorry… I don't have a pen."

Just as Odessa moved to find one herself, a fountain pen slipped from Sydney's purse and clattered onto the floor.

"Ah! I'm so sorry! It just slipped right out!" Sydney exclaimed, her cheeks flushing with panic.

But despite her unease, she remained rooted in place, not reaching down to pick it up.

Odessa didn't hesitate. She grabbed the pen and pressed it into Ansel's hands, her voice cold and relentless. "Sign it."

Every eye was fixed on him. It was painfully clear to everyone that he didn't want a divorce. His earlier outburst was simply his wounded pride lashing out in desperation.

But that no longer mattered. The line had been crossed.

Ansel's gaze darkened as he stared at the pen, fury twisting his features. In a swift motion, he snatched it from Odessa's hand and tossed it into the trash. He turned to Sydney and shouted, "Who told you to bring that pen out?"

Tears welled in Sydney's eyes. "You said you had an important meeting today… I just thought you might need it."

For a brief moment, Ansel's heart softened. He took a deep breath and turned back to Odessa, his face shadowed like storm clouds. Without a word, he tore the divorce agreement to shreds.

"Alright. We can proceed with the divorce, but this agreement is riddled with problems. I'll have my lawyer draw up a proper version and inform you when it's ready."

Odessa saw straight through his excuse. She shook her head, her voice sharp and unwavering. "Then have your lawyer come now. I don't want a single cent from you. I'll walk away with nothing. I just want to end our marriage as soon as possible."

Ansel seized her wrist, dragging her close. His bloodshot eyes burned with desperation as he hissed, "Odessa, do you even realize what you're saying? How do you expect to survive without me? Have you ever stopped to think about that?"

Tears welled in Odessa's eyes, dampening her long lashes. The sorrow in her gaze surged like a rising tide, threatening to drown everything.

She leaned in, voice barely above a whisper. "I told you… I've already died. I only have five days left."