Chapter 12

Perhaps she had truly given up at that point, as Willow made no further attempt to fight back. As the cold steel pierced her flesh, she wearily closed her eyes. As the world around her plunged into darkness, she heard a desperate voice calling out her name. Afterward, she heard someone tenderly calling out to her, "Lolo." The voice sounded similar to the aloof youth from her past, the one who had once showered her with affection. He had called her "Lolo" with a voice brimming with love. She was well aware that this purported tenderness was merely her own illusion, a product of her longing for her youth and for her beloved Zayn. However, her beloved Zayn, who was once the object of her deepest affections, now lay entombed alongside her broken heart, forever lost to the vast expanse of time. When Willow woke up, she realized it was the morning of the next day, and she was astonished to find herself back in Bordello, with her hands intact. Then, she saw Zayn, with his slender frame and elegant posture, standing before the window, his back turned toward her as he stood by the window. She tentatively called out, "Zayn?" Zayn abruptly turned around, and for a fleeting moment, she caught a glimpse of an unfamiliar emotion in his gaze—an emotion that could only be described as heartache. In an instant, the unfamiliar emotion in Zayn's eyes vanished, replaced once again by the familiar indifference and disdain. "What? Not playing dead anymore?" Zayn sneered, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Before Willow could utter a word, he interjected coldly, "Willow, we're getting a divorce!" "Divorce?" As Zayn's words echoed through the room, Willow's heart pounded in her chest. She had always known that their marriage was a twisted game of revenge, a means for him to exact his pain upon her. Yet, despite this knowledge, the mention of divorce still left her with an indescribable ache. Despite the insults and accusations hurled at her, she still didn't want to divorce Zayn. After all, she longed to bear the mantle of his wife even after her passing. After what felt like an eternity, Willow's voice finally emerged from the depths of her grief. It was hoarse with a distinct tremble, a testament to the overwhelming sadness that consumed her. "Zayn, you swore you'd never leave me. You said, 'Till death do us part!' You—" Zayn scoffed as he interrupted Willow. "Are you done playing your disgusting games? Why do you keep putting yourself through the wringer?" At first, Willow had many things she wanted to say to him, but Zayn's hurtful remarks left her momentarily speechless. At that moment, she could only mutter, "Zayn, I won't divorce you. I'm not leaving you…" Zayn completely disregarded Willow and forcefully hurled a stack of papers at her face. "Sign it!" Willow's heart plummeted as her gaze fell upon the stark words "Divorce Agreement". She was aware that Zayn's haste to divorce her was fueled by his desire to openly wed Skyler. Although her frail state couldn't hinder him from doing so, she refused to allow Skyler to relish in her misfortune. She was determined to hold onto the position as Zayn's wife until the end of her days! In a sudden burst of anger, she tossed the divorce agreement onto the floor and her chin raised in a defiant gesture as she declared, "I will never sign it! If Skyler wants to become the next Mrs. Carter, she can only become one over my dead body!" Zayn's gaze grew ominous as he witnessed Willow's defiance. His voice became even colder, devoid of any warmth or emotion. "Willow, don't test my patience. Sign it now or else you'll leave with nothing!" Willow was initially determined to hold out until the very end. Yet, when he threatened to leave nothing to her, she suddenly changed her mind. She slowly picked up the divorce agreement from the ground. "Zayn, if you want a divorce, you'll have to pay me a million dollars! Otherwise, you can kiss any chance of marrying your sweetheart goodbye!" Willow sneered after saying that. Suddenly, Zayn grabbed Willow's hand. "One million dollars? You really can't let go of that bastard, can you? Unfortunately, your scheme is going to fail! That bastard must die!" As he spoke, Zayn shoved the pen into Willow's hand and forcibly guided her to sign the divorce agreement.