Dear Ex-wife, Marry Me novel Chapter 2040

A Farewell Gift?

Shirley's mind was in a tangle, almost believing she was witnessing a mirage. She furrowed her brows, her hands cupping Abner's cheeks. The boy had truly aced his exams, living up to his promise of clinching the top spot. The effort behind his success must have been immense. Abner, truly remarkable, truly outstanding.

She wanted to shower him with praise, but even in her tipsy state, the words of that man echoed in her mind. If he doesn't leave, to that man, it meant nothing. It spelled jail time. She let her eyelashes droop, wishing the hallucination away.

But then, she felt someone lifting her up, guiding her into the elevator, and then into her own bedroom. Lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling, she realized it wasn't a hallucination. It was indeed Abner. Shirley bolted upright and made her way to the living room. But aside from the scent of porridge, the room was empty. It was 2 a.m., and Abner had visited but had since departed.

Shirley was frantic; perhaps the alcohol still surging through her veins, she dashed out the door and into the elevator. "Abner?" She called out downstairs but saw no one. Panic set in, fearing if she didn't see him now, she might never get another chance. "Abner!" She ran out of the apartment complex, drenched in sweat. But Abner was nowhere to be found.

Shirley wandered aimlessly for what felt like ages. An hour later, she found herself back upstairs, still dazed. Were it not for the lingering aroma of porridge in the kitchen, she'd have thought the night was but a dream. Sitting in the living room, sipping the porridge, sleep eluded her. She contemplated seeking out the man who had warned her. Abner was leaving, and she could sneak one last glimpse of him, provided she remained undetected.

But she hadn't kept the man's number, and he seemed intent on erasing her from Abner's life. The next morning, James called, unable to reach Abner. The school wanted to interview him for a recruitment video. Shirley tasted bitterness. "Mr. James, I don't know where he's gone, probably abroad. His family must have picked him up."

"What do you mean? Abner's family, aren't they..." "His real family, very influential. I'll never see him again, never." After uttering those words, she realized her cheeks were damp with tears. Such a mess, even though it was her own doing.

"Shirley, what about his college applications? Aren't they going to be submitted?" "He's probably been accepted by a college abroad." Closing her eyes, Shirley felt an overwhelming sense of sorrow. James, sensing her distress, found it hard to continue. After all, to the school, having Abner as the top graduate was a significant boast. Where he decided to study mattered little to them.

James wanted to offer some words of comfort, but Shirley had already ended the call. The following week, Shirley drifted through her days. She couldn't resist sending Abner a message, but it was rejected. Abner had deleted her. Her pupils contracted sharply, and in a desperate attempt, she called him. The number had been deactivated, now just a void.

Panic swept over her in waves. Shirley visited the school, searched several places, but Abner's presence was nowhere. The boy had breezed into her life with the freshness of youth, only to exit with definitive resolve. If not for the lingering traces of his presence at home, Shirley would've believed their brief year and a half together was nothing but a dream.