Chapter 16: Who Are You To Say This To Me?
After more than a month, the court held a hearing to deal with the case.
Clint did not attend. It was the notorious lawyer, Matthew Ronald, who came instead. The lawyer skillfully read out the defendant’s words, which had been written by his client in a sincere attempt to save their marriage.
The lawyer’s precise logic and seemingly sincere words touched the judge, who decisively disallowed their divorce. Selene was also affected.
The five-month marriage would continue.
When Selene left the court and phoned Clint, he quickly answered.
“Clint. Why are you doing this?” She asked coldly.
There was no response. Selene was about to check whether she had a signal when Clint’s voice came. He was coughing.
“What’s wrong with you?” Selene asked, frowning.
“I’m in the hospital.” Clint croaked.
Selene hurried to the hospital and found Clint lying on the bed with his eyes closed. It seemed that he was sleeping. When she went closer, Clint suddenly opened his eyes.
“Hey. You’re here.” Clint got up and leaned his back on the bed.
He looked thinner, and his face was very pale.
“I spoke to the doctor. He said you’re suffering from excessive fatigue. I know that work’s important, but maybe you should take better care of your health.”
“Who are you to say this to me?” Clint sneered as he looked at her.
“We’re still a couple, as your lawyer will soon tell you,” Selene answered expressionlessly.
“So, you’re still my wife?”
Selene said nothing and remained silent.
Clint looked at her sincerely and spoke. “Selene. I’m aware that our marriage arrangements are ‘unique,’ but we should treat them with more reverence. We’re not children. We made a decision, and now we must go through with it and stay married.”
This time, it was Selene who sneered. “Clint. We got married after a one-night stand. It was hardly a thought-out decision. If we got married on a whim, who says we can’t also divorce on a whim?”
Her expression was saddened. “This is not the marriage I want.”
“We may be different, but the main reason for these problems is that we didn’t get to know each other before marrying. I admit that getting married on a whim may have been a rash decision. But regardless of why we got married, I hope you can agree with me that we should respect our commitment to enter this marriage.”ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .
Selene remained silent.
Clint spoke again. “What kind of marriage life do you expect? Tell me, and I will try my best to fulfill it.”
Selene felt very surprised by his willingness to compromise. “Why would you do that?”
Clint avoided her gaze. “I don’t want to divorce after only a few months of marriage. It’s shameful. Also, I respect our marriage.”
Shit!
Selene sniffed. “Then you will be disappointed when I try to divorce you again since I don’t think you genuinely want us to stay together.”
“Maybe it really was a mistake.” Clint smiled helplessly. “I’ll think about what you said. By the way, it will still take you six months to file for divorce again.”
When Clint recovered and left the hospital, he lived his life the same as before. Although he returned home very late and went out very early in the morning, he never stayed outside overnight. Their relationship once again became easy and regular. Each did their own thing while respecting the other.
Selene began to, once again, see their marriage as ideal.
****
Two months passed by quite uneventfully, and they both got along well with each other.
One time, after they had just finished a bout of pure physical love-making, Clint got up and went to take a bath. Just as he entered the bathroom, the phone he put on the bedside table rang. At first, Selene ignored it. But it continued ringing for such a long time that she finally relented and picked it up. It was from Clint’s Mom.
She thought for a while, then answered the phone. “Hello!”
“Is Clint there?” The older woman asked in a surprised tone.
“Clint is taking a bath. I will tell him that you called, and he will call you back.”
“Okay… Are you Clint’s girlfriend?”
“Yes, I am,” Selene replied, aware that Clint had told his mom that he was dating some girl.
His mother seemed very happy to hear that. “Hi, I’m Clint’s mom. He has mentioned you many times, and I’ve wanted to see you for a long time, but he said he was too busy to arrange a meeting between all of us.”
“Yes, Mrs. Denovan, He’s really very busy,” Selene replied, forcing a more pleasant tone.
Just when she finished the last word, Clint walked out of the bathroom. He looked terrified and strode towards to grab his phone back.
“Mom, I’m coming.”
“Clint, why don’t you arrange for us to meet? I’ve wanted to talk to your girlfriend face to face.”
“You can tell me what you want to tell her.” Clint looked at Selene, then left the living room.
Selene smiled with irony and thought to herself. ‘You take our marriage so seriously, yet you don’t even allow me to talk with your mom!’
After a long time, Clint returned to the living room.
Selene threw up her hands in defense.” Your phone kept ringing, and on the screen, it said it was your mother, so I answered it. Are you angry with me?”
Clint shook his head and kept silent for a while. “What did you two talk about?” He asked.
“Your mom asked if I’m your girlfriend and when we could meet,” Selene said, then paused for a moment. “Clint, when can I see her? You’ve already told your mom that I’m your girlfriend, so we should meet.”
Clint’s eyes glanced at her for a second, and he moved away quickly as if he was avoiding something.
“Please be patient. I’m really busy with work nowadays.”
Selene noticed the subtle expression on his face. “Do you not get along well with your parents? Or are they very picky?”