Chapter 7
Chapter 7
Afterword
The news of Cadog Brown’s divorce from Diva Harris soon reached their mutual friends.
The first to confront him was Ezell Smith,
At that time, Cadog was in his office, and Ezell stormed in with a furious expression, throwing a punch before Cadog even had a chance to react.
Cadog, caught off guard, was sent reeling, his vision blurring with stars as blood poured from his nose.
gating with your secretary? How could you even think of something like that?”
“If you didn’t cherish her, why didn’t you just let her go when you had the chance?”
Ezell’s roar seemed to pierce through Cadog’s eardrums, and curious employees outside the door peered through the crack, trying to see what was happening inside.
Cadog remembered it clearly now.
Ezell had come to see him before.
Back then, Ezell was already successful, standing in front of Cadog’s shabby little apartment, trying to strike a deal.
“Cadog, you can’t give Diva Harris a better life. Why are you holding her back?”
“Are you really content to watch her waste her youth, stuck in this tiny apartment with you?”
Ezell’s words had cut through Cadog’s pride like a sharp knife.
Cadog had wanted to argue, but as he looked around at the bare furniture, he couldn’t bring himself to say a word.
Ezell had looked at him and said, “I’ll find Diva.”
Ezells desire to take Cadog’s place was written all over his face.
When he left, Cadog stood there, frozen.
Compared to love, Ezell’s feelings for Diva were no less than Cadog’s.
And when it came to success, Ezell was clearly capable of offering Diva a better life.
What should he do? Thoughts tangled in Cadog’s mind, a knot he couldn’t untangle.
Hours later, when Cadog imagined that Ezell had already reached Diva’s company, he suddenly thought, no matter what Diva decided, he would respect her choice.
Humans naturally seek the best for themselves, and if he couldn’t offer Diva the life she wanted, being left behind was only natural.
That day, Diva came home later than usual.
Cadog thought she must be planning how to bring up the topic of their breakup in a more dignified way.
When she opened the door, his heart jumped to his throat.
“I agree,” she said, her voice calm, the words slipping out as if they were inevitable.
The thoment the words left her lips, tears welled up in Cadog’s eyes,
Diva, surprised by his sudden response, quickly moved to steady his shoulders.
HYATT
Chapter 7
Cadog saw her holding a warm tin of walnut crisps in her hand, the steam rising from it.
It was from the pastry shop Cadog liked.
That place was always crowded, and you had to wait in line forever to get something.
Diva had been late because she’d gone there to buy walnut crisps for him–not because of Ezell, and certainly not because of any hesitation about their breakup.
Cadog wiped his eyes and smiled. “It’s nothing,”
As usual, Diva began complaining about her coworkers.
Later, they lay down on the bed together, Diva cupping his face in her hands, blinking at him.
dog, you’re so amazing. One day, the whole world will envy us.”
Cadog’s heart pounded, the sound deafening in his ears.
His heartbeat pulsed in his chest, and again, that familiar rhythm echoed in his head.
Cadog wiped the blood from his lips, his gaze locked with Ezell’s.
Despite never having been with Diva, despite not having seen her for years, at this moment, his eyes burned with frustration and regret–as though he were the one wronged.
“You don’t deserve Diva’s love,” Ezell spat, grabbing Cadog by the collar, and landing another punch.
Cadog didn’t fight back, allowing Ezell to beat him.
Had Diva felt the same way back then?
When everything came to light, Cadog had been with Ausra Clark.
By the time he saw the photos and videos Diva sent, two hours had already passed.
Diva’s call came, her voice calm, her emotions unreadable.
She said, “Let’s get a divorce.”
From the moment she decided, until the moment they separated, Diva didn’t shed a single tear.
No arguments, no pleas to stay.
Cadog couldn’t quite place his feelings.
He had thought that Diva’s swift decision to divorce him was because, like him, she was tired of their relationship.
But was that really the case?
Her love for him had burned fiercely for eight years, a love that never wavered.
It was only Cadog who had changed.
Ezell released his grip, and Cadog collapsed to the ground, looking up at him.
Ezell spoke, his words echoing those he’d said before.
“I will find her.”
“I’ll follow her, go to the city where she lives.”
Ezell hadn’t changed, Diva hadn’t changed–only Cadog had.
A tight knot formed in Cadog’s chest.
Chapter 7
“She won’t choose you.”
“She never did, and she never will.”
Why is it that when we have something, it feels so insignificant, but when we lose it, the pain is unbearable?
Cadog had been bored with the relationship for years, only to find himself suddenly interested in Ausra. Yet now, when he heard that someone wanted to stay by Diva’s side, the thought that crossed his mind was:
“We’ve long since lost love.”
Ezell looked down at him. “I don’t care.”
f Diva doesn’t want me, I won’t even appear before her.”
ceptance and rejection are her choices. I just need to follow the final answer.”
Ezell’s eyes were filled with determination, and they gradually reminded Cadog of Diva’s gaze from a night long ago.
“It’s okay, Cadog, take your time. Everything will get better.”
“Acceptance and rejection are her choices. I just need to follow the final answer.”
Cadog finally understood the complex emotions hidden in that gaze.
It was love.
Ezell loved Diva with unwavering determination.
And that love–Cadog had once had it too.
As he realized this, a wave of regret crashed over him, drowning his heart.
He finally understood how laughable his actions had been.
He bent down, kneeling on the floor, tears flowing freely.
Ezell turned his back and walked away without a second glance.
“Don’t take her away from me.”
“You’re not allowed to be near her.”
“Stop!”
Cadog screamed, trembling as he crawled forward.
“Where were you all this time?”
Ezell stopped in his tracks and threw him one last look.
“Die with your regrets.”
