Divorce Him Before We Even Marry - Chapter 6: Chapter 6

My aunt and uncle embraced me, their voices thick with emotion. "From now on, you're our daughter," they said.
I kept my plans about college in the Northwest to myself.
For two weeks, I stayed with them, soaking in the warmth of their home. When it was time to leave, they walked me all the way to the edge of the village, fussing over me like worried parents. "Remember," they said, "this will always be your home. Come back anytime."
At the bus station in town, I reached into my pocket for my ticket money—only to find two hundred dollars tucked inside. Their kindness hit me like a wave, and before I knew it, tears were streaming down my face.
I got home and marked fifteen huge red X's across the calendar.
Four more days.
Just four.
I was heading to my room when the front door creaked open.
Ethan had just gotten home from work - but he wasn't alone. Linda and little Lily trailed behind him.
"You're back already?" Ethan's eyebrows shot up in surprise.
Linda gave me a polite nod before disappearing into what used to be my bedroom. My frown deepened as she casually shut the door behind her, completely ignoring my belongings still scattered across the living room.
I turned to Ethan with questioning eyes.
He shifted uncomfortably, suddenly remembering. "Oh, uh... Linda's place had some water damage last week. She's crashing here for a few days."
Wait - so you could just clear out my stuff and hand my room over to someone else? Without even asking me?
Reading my silence, he quickly added, "You can stay in my room for now. Just move your things there." He pushed open his bedroom door as he spoke.
His eyes scanned the pathetic little bundle I'd tossed on his nightstand. "Where's all your stuff? This can't be everything."
I shrugged. "Sold my textbooks after finals. No point keeping them."
Ethan's forehead creased. "Even if exams are over, you might need those reference books someday. Why would you—"
I pressed my lips together, cutting him off with silence.
After a beat, he changed tack. "So... what did your aunt and uncle say about the dates?"
I fidgeted with the edge of my sleeve. "Had someone check the almanac. None of them are favorable. We'll figure it out later."
This was our arrangement - my temporary excuse until I could make my exit.
Ethan just nodded absently, more to himself than to me. "Guess we'll need to pick new dates then." He disappeared toward the kitchen, calling over his shoulder that he'd handle dinner.
My gaze drifted to the nearly-completed marriage application on his desk. Only the date field remained blank.
When I finally snapped out of my daze and went to help, I caught the murmur of voices from the kitchen - Ethan's low tones blending with Linda's sweet laughter and Lily's childish giggles.
I sank back onto the bed.
Now that we'd called off the engagement, this living situation felt... wrong. Especially sharing a room. But with just four days left, finding a new place seemed impossible.
Maybe after dinner, I could just crash on the living room floor.