Chapter 1118 Pursuing Again, Taking the Humble Path
The word “request” coming out of his mouth was unbelievable to Mavis. It was impossible for her heart not to be moved, but she still maintained a cold demeanor on the surface and a calmness within.
“Is it a request not to divorce or a request for me to forgive you?”
Anthony hesitated for a moment before answering.
“If it’s a request not to divorce, then I disagree. Our marriage was already an error from the beginning and my unrequited love lost out to reality. We agreed on one year of contractual marriage with divorce at the end, which should have ended long ago.”
Mavis continued, “If it’s a request for forgiveness… there’s nothing worth discussing about past events.”
It was clear that she still held some resentment in her heart.
Anthony sighed and explained earnestly, “Many things in the past were misunderstood by you. There were some misunderstandings.”
“Do you think everything is just misunderstandings in your eyes? Every word you said and every action you took, I saw them all clearly. There are no misunderstandings,” Mavis turned away firmly.
“Inappropriate is inappropriate. Forcing an unsuitable marriage will never have good results,” she added.
Anthony could feel how pessimistic her thoughts were – perhaps due to depression over these years? He felt uneasy inside as he spoke more gently,
“The issue of marriage isn’t something that two people can decide alone. Can’t you think about Alistair? On one side are his father who raised him and great-grandmother, while on the other side is his mother who gave birth to him. Do we really need him to sacrifice one?”
Mavis tightened her grip on her palms. Naturally, she didn’t want that either.
If it weren’t for Alistair, Anthony wouldn’t have been able to hold onto her like this without getting divorced earlier.
But hearing Anthony bring up Alistair voluntarily made Mavis unhappy.
“You make the ‘request’ sound so nice but ultimately aren’t you trying use Alistair as leverage against me? To trap me? Anthony, You’re still that arrogant and stubborn person who hasn’t changed at all.”
The people around them had different expressions.
Raymond and Moore originally frowned tightly. When they heard Anthony soften his tone, they thought he must be plotting something even more cunningly devious than before! But now seeing Mavis about ready start arguing with him again made them feel relieved. And they silently watched what would happen next.
Chad couldn’t help shaking his head repeatedly. How did things turn into this mess?
Kane was even more anxious than those involved in the conversation itself. Seeing Anthony unable speak well made him wish he could help speak up himself!
Outside the courthouse, the noise of media reporters couldn’t be stopped by security or the Callahan family’s bodyguards. Soon, the glass walls surrounding the lobby were filled with people. Anthony was on his knees on the mat, begging for forgiveness. The reporters caught him in this vulnerable position and snapped away with their cameras, causing an even greater commotion.
Mavis looked up and was nearly blinded by all of the flashing lights. She quickly told Anthony, “There’s nothing left to say between us. The trial is about to start. Please get up.”
Anthony remained motionless as if he didn’t notice all of the chaos and flashing lights outside. He remained calm and collected.
“Mavis,” he said softly but intimately for the first time ever, “I know you’re feeling down right now and just want a divorce. I don’t want to force you into making any decisions immediately. Give me another two weeks as a chance to win you back again. If I can’t change your mind during that time period, then it’s entirely up to you regarding our divorce proceedings and custody arrangements.”
Moore immediately spoke up beside them, “Don’t listen to him, Mavis! He has dragged out this divorce process so many times before! This is probably just another one of his tricks! Do you really want him playing games with your emotions like this?”
Even without Moore’s warning, Mavis had already been thinking along those same lines herself. She couldn’t keep falling for his tricks over and over again.
She took advantage of her opportunity, “Did you hear it? Why should I believe anything that comes out of your mouth? You’ve lied to me so many times before!”
Anthony glanced sideways at Kane who instantly understood what he needed. Kane pulled out a folded document from inside his suit jacket lining.
“Mrs. Callahan,” Kane said while unfolding it carefully before handing it over towards her direction, “This is an already drafted agreement paper made by our lawyer regarding the divorce proceedings. It includes Alistair’s custody arrangements too. There’s no need for you to go through court hearings anymore because Mr. Callahan means business this time around. We won’t deceive nor trick you.”
Mavis took hold of it carefully while reading through each line thoroughly. It stated that they would have an amicable separation where both parties would split their assets equally in half while Alistair would remain under her care with ten thousand dollars worth child support paid monthly on-time from Callahan family side. All conditions were favorable towards her. Anthony had already signed off on everything including lawyers’ signatures, which meant once she signed off too, it will become legally binding paperwork.
She looked back at Anthony confusedly, wondering why everything suddenly seemed perfect now. Why was he being so considerate when previously she felt like such an inconvenience during their marriage?
Anthony seemed to understand the confusion in her eyes and explained with a light laugh, “A divorce agreement signed by me in exchange for half a month of pursuing you again. If I don’t change your mind within the time, you can still sign it later. How about it?”
This speech seemed to put himself in an extremely low position, which had never happened before.
Mavis stared at the bottom right corner of the agreement where Anthony had signed his name extensively and was stunned.
Kane helped out, “Mrs. Callahan, do you know how disadvantageous this divorce agreement is for Mr. Callahan? Once you sign it, money is not the main issue. Alistair’s custody will be given to you. The elders of the Callahan family may cause a big fuss and even punish Mr. Callahan using this as an excuse. He has really taken on a lot of pressure. Please give him another chance.”
Mavis’s heart stirred slightly. There was no pretense in her reaction.
Before today she had never thought that Anthony would go so far as to kneel down before her and draft up such a favorable divorce agreement for her while also signing it.
Through the glass window, flashes were going off one after another. They were afraid they might miss any expression from either party.
Under such circumstances, Mavis felt somewhat unnatural on her face and said hesitantly, “Uh… you should get up first.”
Anthony shook his head, “You promise me first.”
Promise him that he could pursue her for half a month.
If she didn’t agree, then he wouldn’t get up.Content provided by NôvelDrama.Org.
He rarely acted like such a spoiled child.
Mavis couldn’t express what she felt inside. Everything was so complicated, “Aren’t you afraid I’ll just sign my name now?”
“If that’s what you want to do, then I’m willing to bear all consequences after this divorce agreement takes effect. But I believe in your character. Once you’ve agreed with my request, then nothing will go wrong.”
Hearing these words made Mavis feel much more comfortable inside.
“Okay, I promise… you can pursue me if you want but don’t be surprised if all your efforts are wasted at last! Also, I’ll keep hold of this divorce agreement. If by some miracle that changes my mind, then I’ll tear it up but otherwise, I’ll sign it.”
Anthony looked into Mavis’s eyes with a slight smile, “Okay.”
In those last few minutes before the court began, Mavis withdrew from filing for divorce.
Until she got into the car to return to her apartment, her mood couldn’t calm down for a long time because of the divorce agreement signed by Anthony.
Raymond sat beside them scrolling through his phone screen.
She glanced at the picture, realizing that it was a photo of Anthony kneeling at the mat, taken by Raymond. At that moment, Raymond was sending the image to relatives in Teflayria, sparking lively discussions and sixty-second voice messages from them.
“It seems that his kneeling has got you all excited,” Mavis said with a smirk.
Raymond said, “Of course! It’s absolutely satisfying! How many times has he oppressed you since you got married? He deserves to apologize like this. Aren’t you excited about it?”
Mavis nodded earnestly and said, “You know what, I’m actually pretty excited about it. The photos turned out great. Can you send me a copy?”