Chapter 4
Elsa was as pale as a ghost, her eyes welling up instantly when she saw Austin trapping me in his arms.
"I know I have no right to say this, but can you please stay?" she asked, advancing slowly as tears trickled down her cheeks.
"I really love you very, very much, Rennie. Everything I've done… It was all because I didn't want to lose you," she said.
She reached out to take my hand, but I flinched back. Her hand froze midair, and she cried even harder. "I know I was wrong, but our child is already two years old. She can't be without a father."
As though she had gathered every ounce of her resolve, she pulled her phone out of her pocket and presented it to me. A single photo was displayed on the screen.
That little girl sat on Austin's shoulders, smiling from ear to ear. Meanwhile, Elsa stood next to them, watching them with a gentle gaze.
"Look, Rennie. This is our daughter. Her name is Shalom," Elsa said in a soft and tender voice.
"S-h-a-l-o-m, meaning 'peace.' We named her that because not a day goes by without me praying for your peace and happiness, Rennie.
"She knows who you are. Whenever I mention you to her, I'd tell her you are the nicest person in this entire world."
Elsa lifted her eyes to look at me, her eyes not only glistening with tears but also with hopeful anticipation.
"Let's raise her together, the three of us, just like how you raised me when we were young."
I looked at her tear-streaked face, then at the completely genuine look of affection and reliance in her eyes. Then, it finally hit me. She never felt like she was in the wrong.
I looked into her eyes as I replied calmly, "Your love is a price I cannot afford to pay."
I freed myself from Austin's grasp and marched toward the door, hauling my suitcase with me. Behind me, Elsa cried out hysterically, "Rennie! Hit me or cuss at me all you want. Just please don't leave me!"
She scrambled after me and threw herself at my feet, wrapping her arms around my legs. "I can't survive without you!"
I lowered my head to look at her. She was weeping so pitifully. Had this happened in the past, I would have given in and forgiven her.
But now, I only had an emotionless response to her. "Forget about surviving, then."
Austin lunged at Elsa, throwing his arms around her to protect her. His affection toward me vanished from his eyes once again.
"Do you have to be so heartless, Serene?" he questioned.
I fixed my eyes on them as I uttered frigidly, "I will get my attorney to send you the divorce agreement in three days' time."
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