Chapter 231 The Waiting Period Begins\u00a0<\/p>\n
68\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
Before heading to the county clerk\u2019s office, Scarlett remembered they would need passport- style photos for the replacement certificate, so they stopped at a photography studio for the required portraits against a plain background.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Unlike other couples getting their pictures taken\u2013laughing, holding hands, or sharing intimate glances they stood stiffly side by side, looking more like strangers forced into a business portrait than a married couple. Even their proximity felt awkward and unnatural.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After managing to take the acceptable photo, they proceeded to the county clerk\u2019s office to apply for the replacement marriage certificate.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As soon as the new document was in her hands, Scarlett immediately filed for divorce.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The clerk handed them the necessary forms. Scarlett completed hers swiftly and without hesitation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent glanced up at her while filling out his own form. He could see the determination written all over her face.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once the paperwork was submitted, the clerk explained the procedure, noting that the mandatory 30\u2013day waiting period started that day. After that timeframe, they could finalize the divorce, though either party could withdraw the application during the cooling\u2013off period.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Stepping out of the government building, Scarlett looked at the \u201cNotice of Acceptance of Divorce Application\u201d in her hand, feeling as if a heavy weight had finally lifted from her shoulders.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Seeing her visible relief, Vincent felt a complicated mix of emotions.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He simply said, \u201cI\u2019ll pick you up from the hospital tonight. Grandpa will be happy to see us together.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett agreed quietly. \u201cAlright.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
That afternoon, as Scarlett left the hospital after her shift, she ran into Nolan near the main\u00a0<\/p>\n
entrance.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He seemed to be waiting for her specifically, his face lighting up with a warm smile when he saw her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As she approached, Nolan asked gently, \u201cThere\u2019s an alumni gathering tonight. Would you like to come?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett, remembering Xavier\u2019s hospitalization, was about to politely decline.\u00a0<\/p>\n
1\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
19:56 Wed, Jan 14\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 231 The Waiting Period Begins\u00a0<\/p>\n
68\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
But before she could speak, Vincent\u2019s voice came from behind. \u201cScarlett, Grandpa is waiting for\u00a0<\/p>\n
us.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She turned and saw Vincent\u2019s car parked in the hospital\u2019s drop\u2013off zone, not far from where she stood with Nolan.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent didn\u2019t get out, merely rolling down the driver\u2019s side window to call out to her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scarlett turned back to Nolan apologetically. \u201cMaybe next time. I have something to take care of today.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Nolan, ever gracious and never one to impose, was disappointed but didn\u2019t press further. He smiled and nodded. \u201cOf course. I\u2019ll ask again when there\u2019s another opportunity.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
After waving goodbye, Scarlett got into Vincent\u2019s car.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She still chose to sit in the back seat.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Nolan noticed her choice and couldn\u2019t help a slight, knowing smile.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Xavier wasn\u2019t hospitalized at Scarlett\u2019s workplace but at Rivergate General Hospital, the city\u2019s top medical center.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The drive there would take over half an hour.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once in the car, Scarlett didn\u2019t speak to Vincent. He didn\u2019t engage with her either, instead making a video call through his phone.\u00a0<\/p>\n
His contacts list had a pinned entry. Whether intentional or not, the contact wasn\u2019t saved under a name\u2013just a heart emoji.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The call connected after a moment, and Sabrina\u2019s face appeared on the screen.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cVincent, what is it?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
While driving, Vincent glanced briefly at the screen. \u201cI wanted to check on Vanessa.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sabrina replied gently, \u201cVanessa, come here. Daddy wants to see you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vanessa\u2019s cheerful voice came through. \u201cComing!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her voice was full of excitement.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sabrina turned the camera, and Vanessa came into view, running from the living room couch to stand in front of the phone.\u00a0<\/p>\n
2\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
19:56 Wed, Jan 14\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 231 The Waiting Period Begins\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDaddy, are you done working? I miss you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent replied, \u201cI still have to visit Great\u2013Grandpa at the hospital. I\u2019ll be back later.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vanessa said, \u201cDrive safely, Daddy.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent agreed, then asked, \u201cDid you eat your dinner nicely?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vanessa replied, \u201cYes! I had a small plate of pasta.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u0f62\u0f716)\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finished\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent smiled. \u201cGood. Listen to Sabrina and Maria. I\u2019ll bring you a present when I get\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vanessa clapped her hands, jumping up and down happily. \u201cYay! I love you, Daddy!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent\u2019s smile deepened. \u201cGo play now.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vanessa agreed and ran off.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In the back seat, Scarlett turned her face toward the window, trying hard to ignore the conversation between her daughter and her husband.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But the more she tried to block it out, the clearer their words became.\u00a0<\/p>\n
back.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vanessa said she loved her daddy, but wasn\u2019t it Scarlett who had stayed with her day and night all these years?\u00a0<\/p>\n
It had been so long since Scarlett had heard Vanessa say \u201cI love you\u201d to her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
1\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then Sabrina\u2019s voice came through again. \u201cVincent, should I hang up?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent said, \u201cNo, leave it on. I just want to hear your voices.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sabrina chuckled softly. \u201cAlright. I\u2019ll prop the phone here so you can see us.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vincent said, \u201cOkay.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vanessa\u2019s cheerful voice occasionally drifted from the phone.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMaria, look! Isn\u2019t this pretty? I made it for you!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
1.1K\u00a0<\/p>\n
Editorial Board: Our editorial team works behind the scenes to refine each chapter, maintain consistency, and deliver the best reading experience.<\/p>\n
Silent Dreams Never Die \u2014 Author: John Miller 231 Chapter 231 The Waiting Period Begins\u00a0 68\u00a0 Finished\u00a0 Before heading to […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[81],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27595","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-impossible-condition-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27595","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27595"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27595\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27595"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27595"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27595"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}