Answer forwarded from Abu Rayhanah AbdulHakeem Al-Amreeki hafidahullah

وعليكم السلام ورحمة الله وبركاته Divorce does not occur by the utterance of statements like "you are free to go", "I don't want to be with you" except with the clear intention for divorce. Note: Ignorance of the consequences of a matter does not change the ruling of the matter! Note: When a man divorces his wife the first or second time, the marraige is still valid for the duration of the waiting period, during which he can either choose to keep her or let her go! Thus, in answer to the question, yes, the marriage is still valid.