Chapter 9
Over the next few days, Kieran didn’t come home, and Lorraine didn’t call him once.
When the divorce agreement officially kicked in, she went to the courthouse alone.
When the clerk handed her the divorce papers, she took them calmly, her fingertips lightly tracing the gold–embossed words “Certificate of Divorce.“[
Surprisingly, she felt nothing at all.]
Walking out of the courthouse, it was still early.]
She grabbed an Uber to go back to the Harper place and get her last few belongings, but when she pushed open the door, Kieran was actually home.] “Where were you?” He was standing in the middle of the living room in a crisp suit.]
She opened her mouth, but before she could speak, he said with understanding: “Oh right, today’s our anniversary. You went out to pick up my gift, didn’t you?”
Lorraine froze, suddenly realizing-
Of course it was their anniversary.
Three years ago today, they’d exchanged rings in front of all their family and friends.[]
But that same night, he’d slapped divorce papers in front of her, telling her their marriage was just some business deal and not to get attached.]
It would all be over in three years.]
The irony was that the day she got her divorce papers happened to be their wedding anniversary.[]
And Kieran assuming she’d been out buying gifts made perfect sense–because every year before this, she’d carefully picked out presents he’d love, even though he never remembered the date.
So why the hell did he suddenly remember this year?]
Did he also remember that today was when their divorce deal expired?[]
Lorraine’s mind was racing, but she just gripped the divorce papers in her purse tighter and nodded: “Yeah, I got you something.”
The divorce papers definitely counted as a gift, right?]
Kieran nodded casually: “I’m taking Aurora skiing in Switzerland tomorrow, so I figured we’d do the anniversary dinner tonight.”
He glanced at his watch: “I booked the private room at Daniel. You can give me whatever you got later–let’s head out now.”
He grabbed his suit jacket from the chair and headed for the door.]
But Lorraine stayed put.
He made it outside before realizing she wasn’t following him, turning back with a frown: “What are you waiting for?”]
Lorraine opened her mouth, but couldn’t bring herself to tell him she was leaving.
After a pause, she made up an bullshit excuse: “I’ve got some stuff to handle. You go ahead, I’ll meet you there.”
Kieran didn’t seem to notice anything was off. He just said “Fine” and left.[]
Lorraine stood by the floor–to–ceiling windows, watching his black Maybach disappear down the driveway.
This was the first time in three years he’d actually remembered their anniversary.
v.“]
And the first time she genuinely didn’t give a shit.]
She slowly pulled the crisp divorce papers from her purse and set them on the coffee table.
Then she grabbed her pre–packed suitcase, quietly closed the door behind her and walked away for the last time.
On the coffee table, the divorce papers lay next to the check she’d never cashed.[]
Sunlight streamed through the windows, making all those zeros on the check almost blinding–but no amount of money could buy back her grandmother’s shawl, let alone three years of genuine love.]
