Chapter 194
Chapter 194: Belinda offered a calm smile and nodded. “If I didn’t earn it, I shouldn’t claim it.”’ Then, with quiet resolve, she signed the papers. Seeing her determination, the staff member sighed but said nothing further. Kristopher placed a dismissive check for one hundred thousand before the clerk. “She’s made up her mind. Don’t fuss over it,”’ he said, believing that Belinda’s sacrifice meant they would simply remarry later and that the current split would be undone. With that assumption, he signed without hesitation. Their marriage certificate was then surrendered and destroyed. As the document burned in the courthouse safe, Belinda felt a surge of relief. This had been her final wish before she passed away. Now, even if her health failed tomorrow, she would have no regrets. She gently placed the divorce papers in her bag, stepped outside, and felt a wave of relief wash over her. Kristopher walked out behind her, holding his own certificate. In a voice meant only for her, he murmured, “Take care of yourself during this time. About remarrying”¦”’ “Remarrying?”’ Belinda turned to face him, a sarcastic smile forming on her lips. “Kristopher, who said anything about remarrying you?”’ Kristopher’s posture shifted uncertainly. “Didn’t we agree before”¦?”’ “I don’t remember consenting to remarry,”’ Belinda responded, her smile tinged with irony. “What I actually said was that we could discuss remarriage after the divorce. Now that it’s official, I want to be clear: I have no plans to remarry.”’ A shadow fell over Kristopher’s face. Abruptly, he seized Belinda’s wrist, his grip so tight that it threatened to crush her bones. “What are you doing?”’ Pain contorted Belinda’s expression instantly. She frowned and pulled against his hold. “Kristopher, let’s not pretend I misled you, okay? I was deliberately vague about remarriage because I wanted to avoid further complications. You brought it up, and I avoided a straightforward answer. But even if I had outright said I wouldn’t remarry, would it have stopped you from divorcing me?”’ She looked up, meeting his gaze with icy resolve. “You were trying to extricate Miss Miller from her predicament, to keep her from being branded a mistress. Was there a better way?”’ His expression darkened further at her words. Slowly, his grip loosened. Belinda took advantage of the moment, wrenching her hand free and stepping back to create distance between them. Kristopher’s lips twisted into a rueful smile as he watched her defensive posture. He inhaled deeply. “If you’re so set against remarrying me, why did you leave without taking anything?”’ Wasn’t her interest in his wealth more than anything else? Wasn’t that why she married him? “I’ve always said that the money I didn’t earn myself isn’t mine to take. I don’t want it.”’ Belinda took a deep breath and smiled as she waved farewell to Kristopher. “Mr. Cox, our paths are separate now. Goodbye.”’ With that, she turned and walked briskly towards the courthouse exit. Kristopher stood still, watching her depart. Her steps seemed to carry a newfound lightness….