Chapter 11
Kieran stood by the floor–to–ceiling windows, the cigarette between his fingers burned down to nothing, but he didn’t even notice.]
His assistant called at 2 AM.[]
“Mr. Harper, I found Mrs. Harper’s address.“[]
He crushed out the cigarette butt: “Send it to me.“[]
Lorraine’s new place was in some shitty walk–up in Queens–no doorman, narrow hallways that smelled like takeout and old carpet.[]
Kieran stood outside her door, frowning hard–he couldn’t believe the woman who’d lived in a fucking mansion would choose to live in a dump like this.
He knocked, not too soft, not too hard, but with this undeniable authority.[]
Light footsteps approached, then he heard the deadbolt turn.[]
Lorraine opened the door, and the second she saw him, her eyes went wide.
She was wearing simple loungewear, her hair loosely pulled back, no makeup, but somehow she looked… captivating.
Kieran stared at her for a couple seconds, then let out this cold laugh: “What, living in a shithole like this is supposed to make me feel guilty?“]
Lorraine’s fingers tightened slightly, but her face stayed calm: “What do you want, Kieran?“[]
“What do I want?” He snorted and pushed past her, striding into the apartment.]
The place was tiny–a studio with a separate bedroom, but spotlessly clean.[]
There were some design books on the coffee table and a steaming cup of herbal tea.]]
Kieran took it all in, and that restless irritation in his chest got worse.[]
“Got your divorce papers, so you couldn’t wait to move out?” He turned around, looking down at her. “What, afraid I’d change my mind?“[]
Lorraine quietly closed the door, her tone flat: “Come on, Kieran. We had a contract marriage with an expiration date. This is exactly what we agreed on.”
“What we agreed on?” His eyes narrowed as he stepped closer. “Then why didn’t you take the fucking money?“]
Lorraine looked up at him, her eyes so clear it made his chest tighten.]
“I don’t need it.” Her voice was quiet. “I don’t want to take anything of yours with me.“[]
Kieran’s breathing hitched.]
Those words cut through him like a dull blade.[]
He stared at her, then suddenly laughed coldly: “Lorraine, you really think getting divorced means you can just walk away from me?“]
Lorraine frowned slightly: “What’s that supposed to mean?“]
Kieran locked eyes with her, his voice deliberate: “Come back. The position of Mrs. Harper is still yours.”
The air in the room went dead still.[]
Lorraine stared at him for a second, then actually laughed: “Come back? Come back for what? To keep playing human shield between you and Aurora?“[]
“What Aurora and I have is none of your fucking business.”
**Right, none of my business.” Lorraine nodded, staring at his increasingly agitated face. “So what exactly gives you the right to demand I come back?“[]
Kieran was momentarily speechless.[]
Yeah, what right did he have?]
They were divorced.]
That realization made his chest feel tight.]
“Lorraine.” His voice dropped to a warning growl. “Don’t test my patience.“[]
Lorraine looked at him quietly, suddenly finding the whole thing almost funny.[]
Three years, and he was still the same–always acting superior, always expecting her to fall in line.]
“Kieran.” She raised her voice, speaking clearly: “We’re done.“[]
Kieran’s pupils contracted.[]
Just then, his phone started ringing.]
“Aurora” flashed across the screen like a neon sign.[]
Lorraine glanced at it, the corner of her mouth lifting in the faintest smile: “Your girlfriend’s looking for
you.
u.“]
Kieran stared at her and let out a bitter laugh, but still answered.]]
“Kieran!” Aurora’s voice came through all breathy and needy. “Where are you? I can’t sleep… I need you…“]
Kieran kept his eyes locked on Lorraine’s face, but his voice went soft: “I’m handling some business. I’ll be back later.“]
Lorraine turned away, not looking at him anymore.[]
“Don’t take too long!” Aurora whined. “I’m waiting for you.“]]
After hanging up, Kieran stared at Lorraine’s profile, then suddenly grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at him.
“Lorraine,” his voice was low and rough, “don’t think this is over.“[]
He let
go of her and headed for the door.
The door slammed so hard the cheap picture frame on the wall rattled.[]
Lorraine stood there for a long time before slowly raising her hand to wipe away the tear that hadn’t quite fallen.[]
Kieran got in his car and punched the steering wheel.]
He had no idea why he was losing control like this.[]
They’d agreed from day one–three years, then divorce.
He was in love with Aurora.]]
So why did seeing Lorraine act so damn indifferent make him feel so… furious?[]
His phone buzzed with a text from Aurora:
“Kieran, when are you coming back?“[]
He stared at the screen, suddenly feeling incredibly annoyed.[]
Finally, he typed back: “Something came up. Not coming back tonight.“[]
Then he turned off his phone, leaned back in his seat, and closed his eyes.[]
All he could see were Lorraine’s eyes–calm to the point of being almost cold.]
