To Those Who Regretted After I Died - Chapter 20

In the solitude of the guest room, Sophia held an envelope from the city office and took out a piece of paper to read.

“So, I can receive alimony for my husband’s infidelity… For the past year, you haven’t treated me as your wife…”

Sophia put the divorce papers back into the envelope, looked up at the ceiling, closed her eyes, and tried to calm herself.

Knock, knock!

“It’s me…”

“Come in…”

Alec entered the room along with Emily, and they both turned their faces towards Sophia, who was already seated.

“…”

“…”

“…”

Alec and Emily sat across from Sophia in silence.

“It seems you have something to discuss with me…”

Alec let out a sigh at Sophia’s question, unable to meet her gaze. He lowered his head and began to speak.

“I want you to divorce me… Your sister is pregnant with my child…”

“…”

Alec couldn’t bring himself to raise his head as he apologized to Sophia.

“I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry, Sister… I’ve admired Alec since the first time I met him… I’m sorry for betraying you…”

Tears welled up in Emily’s eyes as she apologized to her sister, Sophia.

“…”

Sophia watched the two of them without saying anything, placed the envelope on the table, and handed it to Alec.

“What is this?”

“It contains the divorce papers…”

“!!”

Alec looked visibly shaken, clearly not expecting to receive divorce papers from Sophia, while Emily covered her mouth with her hands, peeking at the envelope.

“Why do you have this…”

“I met Richard… and received this envelope.”

“I see… You met the butler…”

“I’ve already written my name on it… Once you write your name, we will be done as a couple…”

“… Done…”

Hearing that their marriage would end left Alec feeling bewildered.

“Alec, should we take a look inside?”

“Ah… Yes…”

He took out a single sheet of paper from the envelope, and Sophia’s name was written on it.

“…”

(…I was the one who mentioned divorce, yet why does my chest feel so heavy…?)

Alec’s hand trembled as he grasped the divorce papers, while Sophia placed a pen in front of him.

“Please write your name… my husband…”

“Ah…”

Hearing the name “my husband”felt like a final call, causing him hesitation in picking up the pen.

“Alec? Should I write it for you?”

“No, you can’t write it! This has to be signed by you, my husband…”

“Understood… Yes, Alec.”

As Emily handed him the pen, Alec took it.

(…I kept telling myself there’s no turning back now… I’ll welcome Emily as my wife…)

“…”

Alec gripped the pen tightly and wrote his name on the divorce papers.

Alec wrote his name on the divorce papers and quietly placed the pen down.

“Please confirm it…”

He handed the papers to Sophia, who received them and saw his name next to hers, confirming the end of their marriage.

“With this, you and I have become strangers… Please submit this divorce paper to the city office…”

“Understood…”

Sophia handed the divorce papers back to Alec, signifying their severed bond.

“Please decide the amount for alimony.”

“Eh!?… But…”

“I thought the Parlis family wouldn’t have much money right now, so please give it to my family when things settle down.”

“Ah… I’m sorry… I’ll let you know the amount later…”

(…Did she know about the current situation? It should have been her decision to set the amount for alimony… Until the end, she… my wife…)

Alec bowed his head to Sophia, tears streaming down his face as he felt sorry.

“Alec? Are you crying?! Maybe it’s tears of joy?”

“Wha!?”

Seeing Emily’s amused face, Alec turned pale and glared at her.

“Don’t make that scary face! I was just joking!”

“Even as a joke, that wasn’t appropriate…”

“Come on, you’ve already apologized! You’re so scary, just like Father!”

“……”

Emily smiled, rubbing her belly, and Alec had something he wanted to say but held back, fearing it might disturb the child.

Watching the two of them, Sophia spoke to Alec.

“Alec…”

“!”

Called by his name, Alec looked up to see Sophia’s face.

(…So, we’re no longer… It feels so lonely not being called “my husband”by you…)

As Alec gazed at Sophia, Emily puffed her cheeks.

“If you stare at my sister’s face and cheat again, I won’t forgive you!”

“Wha-what are you talking about!? Emily…”

Alec, confused, saw Emily smiling as she snuggled up to him.

“W-wait, in front of her…”

“We’re married, so it’s fine, right?”

“Wha…”

“Emily, you’re going to have a tough time from now on…”

“Eh? Tough? Why?”

“Do you think Father knows that you’re pregnant with my husband Alec’s child?”

“Eh…!!”

Emily, hearing Sophia mention their father, pulled away from Alec, turning pale.

“Do you know Father’s personality? He hates the things you two have done…”

“!!…”

“Ah… ah…”

“I’ve heard that Alec’s relatives value their family crest… I hope it doesn’t become a scandal when they find out the reason for my divorce is infidelity…”

“!!”

Both Alec and Emily appeared bewildered by Sophia’s words, and Sophia closed her eyes, trying to walk away from them.

“Sister… help me… I don’t want to be scolded by Father… I’ll apologize for taking your husband…”

Tears streaming down her face, Emily pleaded, but Sophia exhaled heavily.

“It’s too late… You’re carrying a child… You’ll have to face Father’s scolding… It’s not just me who has to apologize; you must also apologize to everyone involved… You must have been prepared for this when you took Alec from me, right?”

“I don’t want to be scolded by Father… Alec accepted me, so he should be the one to be scolded!”

“Wha!?… Are you saying I’m entirely to blame?”

“Because when I crawled into bed, you slept with me! You hadn’t spent the night with Sister yet, but you still held me!! I’m not at fault! I spent time with Alec instead of Sister and got pregnant!”

“Y-you… Emily… !!”

“Stop it!”

“!!!”

Sophia shouted as Alec and Emily started to argue.