Out of Ashes Into His Heart

I had lived with the Gould family for two years.

I thought there wouldn't be much to pack, but as I started packing, I realized I actually had a lot of belongings there.

Every item reminded me of the deep, naive love I once wholeheartedly had for Gavin.

Sadly, nobody cared at all...Just like the pile of rubbish in the corner that was about to go in the trash bin.

I only took some important documents and a few things that I truly liked.

After sorting through my items, I could not even fill a single suitcase.

When I came downstairs, Gavin's mother was on the phone as she repeatedly called him to come back quickly.

Knowing Gavin's workaholic nature, I was certain that he would never drop his work and return home.

In his heart, I had always been dispensable.

"Grace, you're done packing already?" my mother-in-law asked in shock as she saw me walk down the stairs with my suitcase. She probably thought that I would wait for Gavin to come home.

I nodded and handed her the divorce papers I had already signed. "I've already signed the papers. When Gavin comes back, have him sign it, and we can go to the courthouse to finalize the divorce."

Even though I was the one who asked for the divorce, I wouldn't leave this marriage empty-handed.

I was a fool before. That would never happen again.

"Grace..." My mother-in-law looked like she could not bear to see me leave.

Two years of living together had been enough for real feelings to develop between

us.

"Mom..." The word instinctively slipped out, and I immediately realized I could not call her that anymore.

Before I could correct myself, my father-in-law spoke. "I thought you were getting a divorce? You're still calling her mom?" he sneered.

"Victor! Shut up!" my mother-in-law snapped in frustration.

Victor scoffed, raising his head in arrogance. "If you want a divorce, you should hurry up. Don't put up an act and pretend to be reluctant."

I took a deep breath. "I've already signed the papers. Once Gavin signs it, we'll

head to the courthouse immediately to finalize it."

"That's great," Victor smirked, unable to hide his satisfaction.

My mother-in-law shot him a glare. "What's so great about that?!"

He snorted, glancing at me with disdain. "They've been married for two years, and she didn't even get pregnant. She probably couldn't even have kids! It's better to divorce now. I still want grandchildren!"

"What the hell are you talking about?!" my mother-in-law shouted in anger. "Do you think Grace can get pregnant on her own?"

My father-in-law frowned. "Gavin is healthy and strong, so it couldn't be his problem. Since they still do not have children, it has to be Grace's fault!"

"Is that so?" I snickered. "Well, I'm stepping aside now. You've always favored Mandy, right? Let her give you grandchildren. Hell, she could give you a dozen!"

"You..." Victor's face darkened as he glared at me, furious beyond words.

I couldn't care less. The respect I had shown him before was out of consideration for Gavin.

Now, I don't even want Gavin anymore. I don't have to tolerate his father's insults!

I dragged my suitcase toward the door. From a distance, I could see Dawn

mumbling angrily to herself as she looked at her phone.

"What a shameless couple!"

As I neared her, I finally heard her clearly.

"What's the matter?" I asked, feeling amused.

Dawn saw that I was still oblivious to what had happened, and she handed me her phone. "I saw this online. It's a screenshot of Gavin's post from your wedding day..."

My wedding day...

I paused for a moment. That was the day my mother had vomited blood from anger and eventually passed away with regret. I had been so busy with the funeral preparations that I had no time to ask Gavin where he was that day.

I knew he had gone to see Mandy.

But I didn't expect him to post about it online.

The screenshot he posted was of a photo of him with his arms around Mandy, his smile warm and loving.

He looked younger in the photo, and it was evidently an old photo from ages ago.

Yet, he had posted this photo on social media for everyone to see on our wedding day.

It was a blatant declaration.

All this while, Gavin had kept me in the dark. In the end, I became the butt of jokes.

I subconsciously clenched the phone tightly. Even without that phone call, if my

mother saw this post later, she would still be filled with rage.

Gavin...

Gavin!

How dare he do such a thing?!

Was he not afraid of karma?!

I inhaled deeply as I suppressed my boiling hatred and handed the phone back to Dawn. "Let's go."

After leaving the Goulds' house, Dawn drove me to my new apartment.

When I got married to Gavin, his grandfather transferred this property to my

name.

At 1,200 square feet with three bedrooms and two living rooms, it wasn't too large,

but it wasn't exactly small either. Admittedly, it could be considered a pretty

luxurious home in the heart of an expensive city like Fuvine.

"Wow! The view here is amazing! It's so close to the Trade Towers!" Dawn

exclaimed. She inhaled deeply. "Even the air tastes sweeter here!" she laughed.

I couldn't help but chuckle. "Do you really have to be so dramatic?"

Dawn grinned at me. "This is the sweet taste of freedom."

I smiled. I really was finally free.

Because it was a new use, it came fully furnished, but it still lacked daily necessities.

Dawn and I went on a shopping spree downstairs. After we had finally finished unpacking and arranging the items, we were too tired to go out for dinner, so we ordered takeout instead.

When we had finished our meal, Dawn had to leave early for a meeting the next morning, so she left.

After seeing her out, I continued to tidy up the place when I heard a knock on the door.

I instinctively looked around, thinking she had forgotten something.

When I didn't notice anything left behind, I hurriedly went to open the door. "What you leave..."

did

My words caught in my throat when I saw the person who was standing outside.

It was Gavin.

I shot him a cold glare and tried to slam the door shut without a second thought. Gavin swiftly held out his hand and pushed the door open with little effort. "What are you doing?!"

He glanced around the living room, his brow furrowing slightly as if he felt that the place was too small.

In his entire life, he had been living in huge mansions with sprawling gardens. A high-rise apartment like this must have felt like a cramped pigeon coop to him.

He quickly turned his gaze at me. "Pack your things and come home with me," he said in a low voice.

"What did you just say?" I asked, not hearing him clearly.

"I said, come home with me."

"Didn't your mother give you the divorce papers?"

"I tore them up."

I stared at him in disbelief. "Why?"

He raised his eyebrows. "I don't agree to the divorce."

I let out a bitter laugh. "Why? Isn't a divorce exactly what you've always wanted?

That way, you can finally be with your precious Mandy!" I said, coldly.

Gavin's brows tightened. "I've said it before, Mandy and I aren't what you think we are. The things that I did were out of gratitude for her, nothing more."

I've had enough of his excuses.

I turned around and pulled out another copy of the divorce agreement from my

bag. I firmly signed my name on it and handed it to Gavin. "That's not important anymore. Just sign it."

Gavin's thin lips pressed together tightly and his jaw tensed up. He suddenly gave out a low sigh. "Grace, I never wanted to divorce you."

"Is that so?"

I laughed coldly while staring straight at him, my gaze filled with hatred. "Thennoveldrama

why did you leave on our wedding day?"

Gavin had an exhausted look on his face. "Mandy cut her wrist in a suicide attempt and was sent to the hospital. Her husband once saved my life. I had to go see her."

As I stared at this hypocrite in front of me, I felt like throwing up in disgust.

How could I have been so blind to have loved him for twelve long years?

"Just because her husband saved your life once doesn't mean you can use that as an excuse! Can you honestly say that Mandy didn't divorce her husband because of you? Or is hooking up with the wife of the person who saved you your way of repaying that debt?" I sneered in derision.

Gavin's face darkened slightly. "How could you..."

Seeing the sneer on my face getting wider, he swallowed what he was about to

say.

"Grace, it's not what you think..." Gavin closed his eyes briefly. "It was Mandy who said she couldn't forget about me. That was why she left her husband. But I swear, I really felt nothing for her..."

I cut him off abruptly before he could finish his sentence. "What about that photo

you posted on the day of the wedding?"

Gavin looked confused. "What photo?"