Chapter 1: Get Rid of the Child

The next day.

Parking lot outside the Civil Affairs Bureau.

Julian Lawson sat in the Maybach, lightly tapping the steering wheel with his left hand.

"Julian, you’ve been married to Serena for a year now, you should hurry up and have a child," came an elderly voice from the phone.

Julian’s expression relaxed, somewhat helpless, but very patient.

He said, "Grandma, we’re still young, no rush. Grandma, what you need to do now is take good care of your health, and grandpa too, he..."

"How can you not be in a rush?" the elder interrupted, "Your grandfather is much better now, but we’re getting old, and who knows when we’ll close our eyes."

"Grandma..."

The elder said sternly, "Don’t tell me anything else, I’ve heard some rumors, you must not bully Serena."

Julian was silent for three seconds.

Until the elder urged, "Did you hear me?"

He rubbed his brow and replied, "Understood, Grandma."

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Julian hung up the phone.

His fingers still absentmindedly tapping the steering wheel, Julian looked toward the Civil Affairs Bureau not far away.

His lips pressed tightly together.

He opened the message list on his phone.

His fingers lightly brushed over an avatar marked "My Love," a florist, scrolling down to open "Serena Sterling’s" conversation box.

The last message was him telling her the meeting time and place for handling the divorce today morning at the Civil Affairs Bureau.

She hadn’t arrived yet.

Slightly furrowing his brows, he sent her a message.

Julian Lawson: [Where are you?]

Next moment, the window was tapped, and Julian saw Serena’s slightly pale face outside.

Serena opened the car door and sat in the passenger seat.

She gave him a glance.

Still wearing the same outfit from the previous day, which she picked out.

Throughout the years, all his things were prepared by her, from perfumes and ties to custom shirts and suits, all meticulously arranged by her.

"Why so late?" he asked.

Serena withdrew her gaze.

"Not late," she answered.

Simply not as early as before, when she would wait foolishly for his words.

Julian’s unconsciously tapping hand paused slightly, his brows furrowed as he looked at her.

She appeared a bit pale, likely due to a sleepless night after he mentioned the divorce.

Though it wasn’t a big deal.

"Grandma just called me," Julian withdrew his gaze and said, "Don’t tell the elders about our divorce, they are old and can’t handle the shock."

Serena didn’t immediately agree and simply asked, "What did Grandma say on the phone?"

"Urging us to have a child." Julian squinted slightly, impatience flickering in his eyes.

Then followed a prolonged silence.

After a few minutes, Serena finally let out a soft laugh.

Julian clenched his left hand into a fist, staring out the car window without speaking.

He had imagined what his child would look like and when they would be born.

During intimate moments with Serena, he had stroked her belly and whispered in her ear, "Serena, when will you give me a child?"

Only...

Anyway, she’s not pregnant.

In half a year’s time they’ll remarry, it wouldn’t be too late then.

Vera only had six months left.

Outside, people came and went, another three seconds passed.

Serena spoke, "Julian, for the last time, do you really want to divorce me?"

"Regret now?" This time he was truly angry.

Vera was waiting for him at home.

Upon his confirmation once again, Serena didn’t say much, only taking out a document and handing it to Julian.

Julian frowned and accepted it; it was a property division agreement.

"Since we’re divorcing, let’s make things clear."

She said, "From the Lawson Family, I’ll only take the portion that belongs to me."

"During the divorce cooling-off period, any money we earn belongs to us individually."

With that, Serena took out a pen and placed it beside her.

"If there’s no problem, sign it," she said.

Julian frowned tighter as he read.

The standard contract was concise and straightforward, indeed showing she hadn’t taken much. Her column already bore the signature "Serena Sterling."

He didn’t understand her intentions.

It’s just a fake divorce, what’s the point of this contract?

Vera only had six months left.

Accompany Vera through her final days, and he would still be with Serena under his grandparents’ watch just like before.

In Julian’s mind, Serena had always been indispensable.

Her bottom line was very low.

He had once been annoyed with her, deliberately making her do things that would abandon self.

She never refused.

Not only that, she’d even bring the results and come in front of him with a bright smile and say, "Julian, look, I did it, isn’t it great?"

She was a very compliant marriage partner, and over the past seven years, he confirmed this countless times.

If not for Vera, his marriage might have continued on uneventfully like this.

But...

What appeared before him was Vera’s desperate yet stubborn face as she spit blood, making him feel pain almost unbearable.

Julian glanced at the car window beside him.

Reflected in the window was Serena’s face, devoid of joy or sorrow.

She wanted to threaten him?

After all, she once fabricated records to malign Vera.

She hated Vera.

Ha...

Took the pen.

Julian signed his name in his column.

No one could threaten him!

Two copies made.

Serena took her copy.

Then.

Got out of the car.

Took a number.

Submitted documents.

Filled out the "Divorce Application."

Both carefully kept their "Receipt Forms," to come back for the divorce certificate after the cooling-off period.

After completing the series of procedures, the two walked out of the Civil Affairs Bureau.

The sun was already high up in the sky.

Sunshine upon Serena’s body felt warm.

Julian looked at the crowd coming and going.

Easy to distinguish with the naked eye those coming to marry and divorce.

A couple came out holding hands.

The woman wore a smile of sweetness.

He vaguely recalled, a year ago, Serena’s face seemed to wear such a smile when they registered to marry.

Julian glanced at Serena.

Her face still devoid of joy or sorrow.

"During these divorce days, I’ll still transfer money to your account," he said, "Do not tell our divorce to Grandpa and Grandma."

He left without waiting for her response.

She watched as his car disappeared around the street corner.

Then her taxi arrived.

Two cars drove in completely opposite directions.

One headed to Vivian’s Floral Studio.

The other headed to Aeston First Hospital.

Julian Lawson opened the door to the floral studio, and Vera greeted him with a smile.

He took out the receipt form and said to Vera, "It’s done, she didn’t make a fuss."

Meanwhile, Serena entered the gynecology department with her pre-booked number.

Sitting opposite the doctor.

The doctor pulled the curtain shut.

"Serena, do you really want to abort this child?"

Bianca Lynch, the doctor and best friend, asked worriedly, "Weren’t you always wanting to conceive? You even asked me to help adjust your health before."

Serena placed the receipt form aside on the table.

"Mm." Serena said calmly, "Let’s abort it, I don’t want it."