For a moment, Katie was so shocked that she was at a loss for words. Gradually, she noticed how there weren’t any turbulent emotions reflected in Ariel’s calm eyes. She simply looked serious.

Katie opened her mouth, but she only managed to find her voice a while later. “No wonder… No wonder…”

Frankly, there was no way they would not notice what the situation was really like in Ariel and Jayson’s marital relationship. It was just that….

“Ari, be honest with me. Did you and Jayson decide to get divorced because of Lucas?” That was the issue Katie was worried about.

They had been together for several years. Yet, the two of them suddenly decided to get divorced not long after Lucas was released from prison?

“No. It has nothing to do with him.” Ariel could tell that Katie had some misunderstanding.

She explained, “I’m not doing this for anyone. I simply understand now that there’s no point in trying to force a relationship to work. We should stop putting each other through torture.”

Whether it was Jayson or Lucas, Ariel had made up her mind. She could not change people and their ways. However, she could free herself from this misery and focus on her life instead.

Katie’s eyes felt hot. She held Ariel’s hands. “I’m really happy that you’ve finally freed yourself from those chains that have held you down. I didn’t notice anything out of the ordinary with Jayson. He’s shown us, the Walker family, a lot of respect by dropping by today.”

“Still…” Katie gazed at Ariel’s lower abdomen. “Jayson has never tried asking you about the scar on your lower abdomen?”

Ariel dropped her gaze. She subconsciously rubbed the area. Ariel was reminded of the moment she had taken the blow, which would have been a fatal hit for Lucas.

She shook her head. “He and I are not close. He’s not interested in my personal matters either. He never asked me how I got the scar, even after he saw it.”

Now that she thought about it, Jayson seemed to be strangely indifferent to her.

They had spent countless nights together. He had even shown an infatuation with her body briefly. Jayson knew better than anyone else about Ariel having a scar on her lower abdomen.

Yet, he had never asked Ariel how she got the scar.

Even a stranger would be curious about the reason. However, it was Jayson that they were talking about. He seemed to have no interest in Ariel whatsoever.

Katie realized at that moment how hard things must have been for Ariel during the past few years. As their elder, it was not right for her to meddle in the couple’s affairs or carelessly comment about their relationship. Yet, now…

“It’s for the best. You should put an end to the relationship if it’s impossible for you to stay in it. You’re much smarter than your mom. You didn’t waste any more time struggling in that unhappy marriage. I give you my full support!”

Ariel felt the weight over her heart was instantly lifted.

There was nothing much she had to worry about now that she had her family’s support. She spent the night at the Walker residence. Then, Ariel went back to work.

Jayson had not contacted her after that night. Still, Ariel found out from Chad about what happened on Nancy’s side.

Jayson left in a hurry that night because Sarah had suffered an attack and was rushed to the hospital. They did not even manage to hold the birthday party or the fireworks show.

Jayson had rushed over to accompany Nancy, who had to watch over Sarah. He could not bear to let Nancy experience the bleak sense of helplessness alone.

What about Ariel, though?

She was having a difficult time too. In the end, Jayson broke his promise and chose to stay with Nancy instead.

Fortunately, she no longer had any expectations of him. After they had officially separated, they would pretty much be complete strangers. That was why Ariel could react so calmly to this now.

On Wednesday morning, Ariel received a call from a courier company. They had a parcel for her.

After she signed and retrieved the parcel, Ariel opened it. She was momentarily stunned. Ariel thought she had seen it wrongly.

Inside a beautiful box was a painting. It was Elena’s painting, which Ariel had been searching for all this time.

Ariel was shocked. She quickly thought about the promise Jayson had made her. She immediately phoned him. As soon as the line got through, a voice asked, “Have you received the painting?”

Ariel found it rather absurd when she got the confirmation. “You really found it…”

“You thought I was just joking when I made that promise?” It sounded like Jayson was at a busy place with a lot of noise. Ariel picked up on the sound of the airport announcements in the background.

She pursed her lips. “Thank you.”

After all, Jayson had never shown any interest in her personal affairs. Ariel could not quite get used to it now that Jayson was slowly fulfilling his promises after they got divorced.

“You’re being really polite and courteous with me, Ariel.” There was a trace of mockery in Jayson’s voice. Ariel was not sure if he was being sarcastic or not.

She looked at the painting placed on the table. Ariel did not respond to what Jayson said earlier.

Instead, she said, “You said that you’d send me the photos showing the details of Sarah’s painting. I haven’t received anything like that in my email. Have you forgotten about it?”

“No,” Jayson replied nonchalantly.

Ariel did not catch the meaning behind his words. She asked flatly, “Can you send them to me when you’re free?”

“Ariel, I can accept any requests you may have. However, I can’t help you with this.” Jayson refused her request slowly and adamantly.