Celeste left the courthouse and returned to Yodavision. She even made it in time for the morning meeting.
As soon as she sat down, Matthias leaned over and whispered, “All done? That fast?”
Celeste nodded.
There had never been much conflict between her and Trevor. Both of them had a surprisingly positive attitude toward the divorce, so the paperwork naturally went through quickly.
Matthias added, “If it weren’t for the mandatory waiting period, you two would already be officially divorced today. But now you’ll still have to wait 30 days. 10
“Once this mandatory waiting period ends, you’d better go get the certificate right away. Don’t delay it again. Otherwise, just like last time, you’ll end up stuck in base duty again, miss the decision window, and have to start all over.
“It’s such a hassle.” 1
“I know.”
The last time the mandatory waiting period ended, she and Trevor had actually agreed to go for the divorce certificate the very next day. But then things came up for both of them, and in the end, they missed the deadline entirely.
4
Wednesday marked the anniversary of Celeste’s maternal grandfather, Lorenzo Rodriguez’s, death.
Although he passed away in Baumond, he had been buried in Youtopia.
On Tuesday at noon, Celeste and Betty set out for the airport, preparing to return to Youtopia to pay their respects. (1
Jordyn went along as well.
Originally, Celeste hadn’t booked Jordyn’s ticket, but since she was staying at the Rodriguez residence and expressed a wish to go, she simply brought her along.
Ever since the family had left Youtopia, they rarely went back. After Lorenzo’s death, they only returned during the days surrounding his memorial.
The old residence in Youtopia had already stood for decades when they’d left. Now, nearly 20 years later, it had been almost 40 years since it was first lived in.
Even with regular cleaning, it had fallen into disrepair and was no longer suitable to live in. So, in recent years, whenever they returned, they stayed at a hotel. 2
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Chapter 490
+15 BONUS
Both Celeste and Ivan had work waiting for them so they needed to rush back to Baumond by Wednesday night.
As for the others…
As for the others… Youtopia was a city of sorrow for Betty. So, she never intended to stay long.
Hector and Jaime had both been born and raised in Baumond, so they felt little attachment to Youtopia. That meant that none of them planned to linger.
Though Youtopia no longer held much sentiment for the Rodriguez family, every time they came back, they still made a point to visit the old residence.
That evening, after dinner, Celeste, Betty, and the rest went back to the old family residence.
Although they were already used to the home’s dilapidated state, seeing it again still left both Celeste and Ivan with heavy hearts.
They had thought about tearing it down and rebuilding, but the house carried too many important memories for Betty and Ivan. 2
Especially Isabelle’s room–perhaps because of its location, it had stayed in relatively good condition.
Jordyn had been in good spirits at first, but when she saw how much grief weighed on Celeste and Betty, her mood dimmed too, and she quietly held Celeste’s hand, following closely behind. 2
Back before she and Trevor went abroad, Jordyn Had come to Youtopia every year with Celeste
still carried some vague impressions of
for Lorenzo’s memorial. She had been young them, but?
the place. 2
Her memories were faint, but she did remember that every time they came, Celeste and the others always seemed so sorrowful.
er at the doorway of Isabelle’s room to
When she saw how sad Celeste was now, she hugged b
comfort her.
Feeling the girl’s embrace, Celeste paused, lowered her head, and met her worried gaze.
There was a complex look in her eyes, but in the end, she said nothing. She only reached out and gently stroked the girl’s cheek. 2
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