Darkstone Code-Chapter 704 - 0702 Divorce

The sudden ringing of the telephone often makes people feel sensitive, sometimes even startling them.

After staring at the phone for a couple of seconds, Lynch picked it up.

Before answering the call, he had just picked up a pen, intending to write something. Now, there’s a blot of ink on the letter paper in front of him, but no other words.

"It’s me..." 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

"I’m Nell...," Lynch’s father’s voice appeared over the phone, followed by a brief silence before the voice resumed, "If you have time, you’d best return to the Federation once. Your mother and I are planning to divorce."

For Lynch, the arrival of this day was not unexpected; Nell and Serra’s marriage had reached its endpoint the moment Lynch came into this world.

For many people of ordinary status, marriage is not a choice of love but a choice made by society.

This is also the problem that most people have to face: "The other half of my marriage is not the person I love the most, but the one I can’t live without."

Though it sounds somewhat surreal, that’s the reality. If Lynch had not come into this world, then the fate of "Lynch" would have been breaking up with Catherine, then maturing after several brutal beatings by society.

Marrying someone who may not be beautiful but is suitable for daily life, and spending life quietly.

It might be possible for him to feel emotional and quietly tearful in a late-night moment, or feel regret when drunk about the past, but that’s life — the life of an ordinary person.

Nell and Serra’s life is like that as well; they may not be each other’s favorite people, but Nell needed a woman to form a family, take care of him, and relieve him from household chores after work.

Serra also needed a man who could earn money, allowing her a stable life without having to face prejudiced looks and do menial jobs.

The two met a few times and dated several times; they didn’t find anything unbearable from each other, so the marriage was decided.

It was neither an achievement of love nor its grave; there was no real love to begin with — love was just the lie convincing each of them to acknowledge this relationship rationally.

This was just making do in order to continue living.

If Lynch had not appeared.

But Lynch did appear; "Lynch" was replaced by Lynch, and from that moment on, Nell and Serra’s life reached its end; they became wealthy, and no longer needed to compromise just to "sustain life together."

With money, Nell gained the right to choose happiness, and he became obsessed with young, beautiful girls, who in his eyes were happiness and love.

Serra also changed; she may not have been as direct as Nell, but she learned hairstyling, beauty, and exercised with rich ladies in the community.

This sounds a bit like... Though many people think otherwise, people change as fast as this speed.

Serra also met a young man a few years younger than herself, who was very articulate, and developed a new relationship.

To sum up their current relationship in a simpler, straightforward manner, one could discern it from their frequency of bedroom activities.

Before Lynch became wealthy, there were almost two or three times every week, sometimes more, especially when factory stress was high and work was tiring.

But in the past year, there hasn’t been anything more between them.

During his holiday back in the Federation, Nell discussed this issue with Serra; both expressed that they could end this relationship and pursue what they each believed to be true happiness.

Upon hearing this news, Lynch’s heart did not experience much fluctuation; he had seen such things too many times before. This is precisely the privilege money brings: the power to choose what one considers his real happiness, rather than compromise.

Look how pitiful poverty is, not even granting the power to choose happiness.

"I understand, I’ll return as soon as possible," Lynch calmly replied.

The communication between the two fell into silence again; after a while, Nell quietly said, "’Sorry for not discussing it with you before."

Lynch smirked. "You’re adults; don’t say sorry to me. We’ll talk about everything else when we meet."

After hanging up, the feeling was quite marvelous. He asked a Senior Soldier to book him a ticket for that day; by the following night, he had already set foot on the land of the Federation.

Without disturbing too many people, Lynch returned overnight to Sabin City; he slept on the train overnight. By noon the next day, he appeared at Sabin City’s station.

This time, he did not alert anyone; many people still thought Lynch was handling work over in Amelia, not knowing he had secretly returned.

In Nell and Serra’s villa, Lynch saw them both.

One must say that both Nell and Serra had undergone very distinct changes compared to the people Lynch remembered deeply.

Nell looked much younger; without heavy physical labor and industrial grime, he could groom himself neatly.

Serra also appeared much younger; she was no longer revolving around various household chores, and had ample time to maintain her skin and body.

She even had time to work out, doing stretches like yoga.

Their changes from inside out made it indeed difficult for them to continue together; that past period wasn’t precious wealth, wealth is riches, poverty is not.

Perhaps in the future, at some point, they might reminisce, but certainly not yearn; no one wishes to live a life of poverty.

Aside from Nell and Serra, there were several lawyers in the room. Lynch paid them well; Nell could somewhat already be considered a successful person, while Sara’s account saw a monthly addition.

They could afford private lawyers to handle their divorce; however, this divorce case wouldn’t bring too much profit to their lawyers, as it’s not a contentious divorce, and there isn’t much benefit from it.

When the three met, the two older ones felt rather awkward, whereas Lynch directly sat on the sofa and quickly glanced through the agreement on the table.

He didn’t care about the divorce issue, heading straight to the part concerning asset division, which was the part catching his interest.

It seemed both parties truly had a peaceful breakup, as concessions were made concerning asset division.

Nell was willing to give the villa Lynch had given them to Serra, while Serra didn’t need any money from Nell, whether now or in the future.

Overall, this seemed good, as Lynch was already an adult, his rights were removed from the agreement.

After roughly perusing the document, there were no sections relevant to himself and no division concerning the shares Nell held and the company’s interests, Lynch endorsed the agreement.

After putting it down, he looked at the couple on the opposite side. He nodded, "No problem. When do you plan on handling the paperwork?"

Agreement divorce isn’t a litigation divorce, as they only need to go to the Social Service Bureau to complete the paperwork, thus ending their marriage of over twenty years.

Nell looked at Serra, who pursed her lips; ultimately, Nell stood first, "How about today? I have many things to handle; we’re testing some new equipment that we recently got. I can’t leave."

The political system transformation in Nagariel and the Federation Army’s entry brought reassurance to the United Development Company and Federation’s investment merchants, with Lynch also amplifying his investments.

Coupled with rudimentary road construction a while ago, allowing heavy machinery transport, more efficient and productive machines were beginning to be shipped to Nagariel.

The cement factory also received some new machinery, which differed greatly from outdated equipment. Nell felt uneasy without personally overseeing, if not for the divorce’s importance, he probably wouldn’t return.

With Nell’s explanation, the three went together to the Sabin City Service Bureau; staff there didn’t recognize Lynch with sunglasses, just found the young man handsome, looking a few more times.

In the Federation, feelings and family are incredibly private matters; even close individuals wouldn’t easily touch others on these issues, let alone Social Service Bureau staff.

She didn’t suggest the couple take more time to think or calm down; instead, once confirmed, she completed the divorce certificate for them.

The two divorce certificates fell into each other’s hands, with the former couple having quite a bit of sentiment.

Standing at the door, Nell suddenly embraced Serra and lightly said, "I wish you freedom; I wish you happiness, dear."

Serra’s eyes grew moist; the source could be sadness or other emotional factors.

They weren’t divorcing out of hatred; feelings just faded, without hatred, naturally tender emotions appeared, "Thank you, wishing you freedom and happiness too!"

The two released each other, just like a blessing to one another for freedom.

"I should leave; I had someone book an evening ticket...", standing on the steps, Nell felt relieved, but a touch of sadness emerged.

Serra nodded, "I won’t detain you, your belongings, I’ll have someone organize them and send them over, unless you left me a false address."

Nell suddenly felt embarrassed, but soon his eyes reddened a bit; he smiled, saying, "This time it’s not false."

Only they knew what the phrase meant; having met a few times, they crossed a line, with Serra becoming pregnant, but Nell wasn’t ready then, providing a false address.

Life is like a circle, a cycle, circling back here at last, leading to a new, maybe familiar beginning.