The April Fool’s Divorce

Ive been married twice. Before marrying Ethan Grant, I explained to him:

The first marriage was to help my childhood friend Xavier Cole fight for his inheritance.

The second marriage was to help my good friend Mason Steele avoid an arranged marriage.

If you mind

He grabbed my hand, his eyes red-rimmed as he interrupted: I dont mind. But from now on, you can only have eyes for me!

After we married, he was tender and considerate toward me.

I thought Id finally married the right person.

But the day I returned from a business trip, I heard him talking familiarly with my two ex-husbands in the living room:

Shes an old pro at divorcingshes done it twice already.

Just give her the divorce papers on April Fools Day!

Then come back later and tell her it was just an April Fools jokeproblem solved.

Vivians wedding is next week. We made a promise back in senior yearfor her bachelorette party, all of us have to be single!

I stood outside the door, my hands trembling.

When Ethan brought me the divorce agreement, I signed it without hesitation.

Later, when Ethan wanted to remarry me, I was already six months pregnant:

You thought the divorce was just an April Fools joke? I was serious!

I sat in the coffee shop across from our apartment complex for an hour.

I waited until theyd dispersed before finally heading home.

When Ethan saw me return, he set down his phone and came over to take my luggage:

Why didnt you tell me you were coming back? I could have picked you up.

He took the suitcase with one hand and wrapped his other arm around my waist.

Tender and considerate, exactly like always.

Have you eaten?

Yes.

He nodded, then seemed to remember something: Oh right, theres something I need to discuss with you.

I set down what I was carrying and turned to look at him.

He sighed and pushed a document toward me: The companys run into some trouble lately. We need to separate our assets. The lawyer suggested we file for divorce firstjust as a formality.

I looked downdivorce papers.

In such a short time, hed already prepared everything.

Once things blow over, well remarry. He gripped my hand, his tone sincere. Itll only be a few months.

I fell silent for a moment.

I know this is sudden, he squeezed my palm, then suddenly lowered his voice with a hint of indignation, but Xavier and Mason called today and kept needling me. They said when you helped them, you didnt hesitate, but with me its somehow a problem.

They even said that after divorcing twice, a woman wouldnt dare divorce a third time. They said you definitely wouldnt be able to handle it.

Ive already thought it throughtomorrow happens to be April Fools Day. Well choose that day to file, then wave the certificate in their faces and scare the hell out of them. Lets see if they ever dare look down on you again.

After all, its April Fools Dayanything can be passed off as a joke. Once the company situation settles down, we can legitimately get our certificate back. No one will say anything.

He looked at me, his eyes filled with both grievance and anticipation: You wont let them look down on me, will you?

I looked into his eyes for a long time.

These flawless, devoted eyes had just been toasting with those two men, saying she wont make a fuss.

I wont. I gave him what he wanted.

He visibly relaxed, though he quickly disguised it as surprised delight: Then you should rest first. Tomorrows the first of the month. After we sign the papers, well go

I took the pen, flipped to the last page, and signed my name cleanly.

Call them, I said with a smile as I set down the pen. Tell them to stop nagging.

Ethan froze, apparently not expecting me to agree so readily.

He smiled, put away the papers, then leaned in to kiss me. Youre the best wife.

I let him kiss me, my heart as calm as stagnant water.

He took the agreement to his study to make a call. His voice wasnt loud, but through the door, I could still hear.

She signed.

Xaviers voice came faintly through the phone:

See? I told youSophias the easiest to handle.

Alright, you guys keep Vivian steady on your end. Ill head over once Im done here.

I sat in the room for a long time.

My phone vibrated. It was a message from Mason:

Havent seen you in a while. Want to get together?

I stared at that message for a long time.

Before, I would have replied sure.

I would have carefully considered what to wear, how to do my makeup.

I would have thought about how to preserve Ethans dignity in front of them, to let them know Id married well.

To make sure they wouldnt hold grudges against Ethan.

After all, one side was my childhood companions, the other was my beloved husbandboth were people I valued deeply...

I didnt want them to remain adversaries for life.

But now, I couldnt even be bothered to reply.

I simply turned my phone face-down on the coffee table and stood up to collect the laundry from the balcony.

As I passed the study, Ethan was still on the phone.

His voice was very low, but carried a kind of relaxed ease Id never heard before.

That ease sounded like he no longer needed to pretend or perform.

I suddenly realized that in all our time together, hed never spoken to me like that.

The wind on the balcony was strong.

I took the clothes off the hangers one by one, folded them, and placed them in the basket.

As I finished with the last piece, my phone lit up again.

This time it was Xavier:

Heard youre getting divorced again?

Ethans such a jerk. He doesnt deserve you. Dont be sad.

Your grandfathers eightieth birthday banquet is in a few days. Mason and I will attend together. Lets have a proper reunion!

I laughed dryly. How nice of him to say.

As if he werent the one strategizing in the living room earlier.

I pressed the power button and shoved my phone in my pocket.

I suddenly wanted to know what kind of person Vivian Lane was.

To be worth the three of them scheming so elaborately to keep a promise.

To be worth them treating me so casually as a tool to achieve their goal.

But then I thoughtthere was no point.

It didnt matter anymore.

I picked up the laundry basket and turned to go back inside. My steps didnt pause as I passed the study.

Warm yellow light spilled through the crack in the door.

This lamp, this home, this man

Starting tomorrow, theyd have nothing to do with me.

Id just set down the laundry basket when the doorbell rang.

I went to answer it, but Ethan got there first.

The person standing outside had flushed cheeks, clearly having drunk quite a bit.

She smiled when she saw Ethan: I knew youd still be awake.

Ethan instinctively glanced back at me, then lowered his voice: Why are you here?

She didnt answer, swaying unsteadily as she walked inside.

Not until she saw me standing in the living room did she pause. Oh, youre here too.

Xavier caught her from behind and explained to me: Sophia, shes had too much to drink. We were taking her home, but she insisted on coming here.

Mason stood in the doorway, his expression somewhat uncomfortable as he glanced at me.

Then his gaze swept to Ethan, his tone turning sharp:

Ethan, your wife is home. Dont you know how to avoid suspicion?

Ethan froze for a moment, then frowned and shot back: You got her this drunk and brought her to my place, and you want me to avoid suspicion?

I got her drunk? Its because you posted that newly single status! Mason let out a cold laugh and stepped aside. Fine, youre so noble, so proper. Ive delivered the person who got drunk over you. Do what you want.

The two men stood on either side of the door.

The air seemed frozen.

Xavier, caught in the middle, coughed awkwardly: Alright, alright, stop fighting. Vivian just came by since it was on the way

I stood in the center of the living room, watching this performance from start to finish.

They were too coordinated.

If I hadnt personally heard them toasting together, I might have believed their mutual hostility was real.

All along, Id thought the bond between Xavier, Mason, and me was unbreakable.

At my most loyal, Id even married both of them.

My parents died early, and my grandfather was always busy.

Those two filled my entire childhood and adolescence.

Xavier was there whenever I had troubles in school.

Mason even took a knife for me from a kidnapper.

To me, they were closer than family.

But when did our ironclad triangle become like this?

Probably starting in high school, the year Vivian Lane appeared.

A new circle formed outside our group.

I gradually became the neglected remnant.

Only when they needed my help would they remember me...

I withdrew my gaze, no longer looking at them.

Some cracks werent formed today.

I just chose to see them today.

Your timing is perfect. Theres something Id like you to witness in person.

I walked to the coffee table and picked up the divorce agreement:

Two copies, Ive already signed both. Since everyones here, might as well look them over clearly.

Ethans expression shifted slightly, but he quickly caught on.

By bringing up the divorce in front of Xavier and Mason on my own initiative, I was proving to them what I was willing to do for him.

His eyes showed a hint of pride.

Sophia, he walked over, his tone soothing, we can discuss this privately. Theres no need

Since shes already brought it out, Vivian suddenly spoke up, can I askwhen are you moving out?

The living room fell silent for a moment.

Ethan frowned. Vivian didnt look at him, only at me, her expression innocent:

After all, this house is in my name. You cant keep living here forever, right?

I froze.

The house was in her name?

I instinctively looked at Ethan.

He avoided my gaze, his throat bobbing, but he didnt contradict her.

In that instant, countless images surged through my mind.

The day we moved in, he held my hand and said this is our home.

When buying the house, he said Ill handle the paperwork, you dont need to worry.

I happily took charge of choosing curtains, sofas, and the dining table...

Every piece of furniture hereId made trip after trip to the home goods store to pick them out.

Everything was arranged according to his preferences...

Id never cared whose name was on the deed.

But I never imagined that our marital home would be in another womans name!

I looked down at the agreement in my hands and laughed.

Ill leave now.

Sophia... Ethan took a step forward.

Tomorrow at nine, City Hall. I didnt turn around, pulling my suitcase to the doorchanging shoes, opening the door, all in one smooth motion.

The hallway lights brightened then dimmed.

While waiting for the elevator, I could still hear voices from inside:

Not bad! She was even more cooperative than when I asked her to get married!

Laughter mixed with voices exploded dully behind the door.

I stood by the elevator, listening to this unfamiliar story.

The reflection in the mirror looked calmer than Id imagined.

Not until I got in the taxi did my phone vibrate.

A message from Ethan:

About the house, Ill explain...

Be good. Find a place to stay for now. Ill pick you up in a few days.

I stared at the screen for a few seconds, then flipped my phone face-down on my lap.

Outside the car window, streetlights retreated one by one.

Pick me up in a few days?

As if Id just gone out to buy groceries and would be back soon.

I leaned against the seat and closed my eyes.

No need, Ethan. You dont need to pick me up.

The next morning at nine, outside City Hall.

When I arrived, Ethan was already waiting.

He was leaning against his car door. When he saw me get out, he stubbed out his cigarette and walked over.

Where did you stay last night? he asked.

My grandfathers place.

He nodded.

His gaze lingered on my face for a moment, then he suddenly reached out as if to touch my hair. I tilted my head away.

His hand hung in midair for a second before he pulled it back.

Sophia, he lowered his voice, his tone carrying a certain confident gentleness, you saved face for me in front of Xavier and Mason. I appreciate that.

As for the house... he paused, Vivian needed property in the city to get residency. I figured it was just putting her name on it. You married down anyway, so I thought you wouldnt care about these things. Thats why I didnt tell you.

I looked into his eyes without speaking.

Wouldnt care?

He gave my marital home to another woman.

And brushed it off with youre wealthy, you wont care?

He didnt think I wouldnt care.

He simply didnt care whether I cared or not.

Anyway, you do have the right to live there!

After the divorce, stay somewhere else for a while, he continued arranging, Once Ive handled things on my end, Ill bring you back.

I almost laughed out loud.

Even now, he still thought all of this was me playing along with his act.

Lets go, I didnt respond to his words, turning toward City Hall. Lets handle the paperwork.

His footsteps quickly followed.

The process went faster than expected.

Signing, fingerprints, submitting photos.

The clerk finally pressed down the steel stamp with a soft click.

The divorce certificate in my hand was thin, a small booklet similar to the marriage certificate, just a different color.

Ethan glanced at his phone, his brow furrowing.

I need to take a call, he told me. Wait here for me. Ill give you a ride back in a bit.

He walked a few steps away and answered the phone.

His voice was very low, but two words still drifted over: Vivian...

I stood there, quietly watching his back.

After hanging up, he quickly returned, looking somewhat urgent:

Something came up. Head back on your own. Ill contact you later.

After he walked out the main entrance, I slowly turned and headed toward the marriage registration window at the other end.