Chapter 9
In the days that followed, Declan didn’t come home, and Callie never called.]
When the divorce papers officially took effect, she went to the courthouse alone.
As the clerk handed her the divorce decree, she took it calmly, her fingertips lightly tracing over the official seal and bold lettering “DECREE OF DIVORCE.” Strangely, she felt nothing at all.]
Walking out of the courthouse, it was still early in the day.
She hailed a cab, planning to go back to the Hayes villa to collect her last belongings. But the moment she pushed open the door, she found Declan was actually home.
“Where’d you go?” He stood in the center of the living room, sharp in his tailored suit.[]
She opened her mouth to speak, but he cut her off, he nodded knowingly: ” Oh, right–today’s our anniversary–you went out to get a gift, didn’t you?“[]
Callie froze, suddenly remembering-
Of course it was their anniversary.[]
Three years ago today, they’d exchanged rings surrounded by well–wishers.
But that very night, he’d handed her divorce papers, telling her this marriage was just a business arrangement, not to get attached.[]
Three years, and it would be over.[]
How ironic that the day she got her divorce decree was the exact same day as their wedding anniversary.[]
se.]
And Declan assuming she’d gone gift shopping made perfect sense.
Because every single year before, she’d carefully picked out gifts he’d love, even though he never remembered the date.]]
But this year, why did he suddenly remember?]
Did he also remember that today was when their divorce agreement expired?]
Callie’s mind raced, but in the end she just gripped the divorce decree tighter in her purse and nodded quietly: “Yeah, getting a gift.“[]
The divorce decree was a gift, in a way.
Declan nodded casually: “I’m taking Mia skiing in Switzerland tomorrow, so I figured we’d do the anniversary thing today.“]
He glanced at his watch: “I booked the penthouse at La Maison. You can give me the gift later-
r–let’s head out now.”
With that, he grabbed his suit jacket from the chair and headed for the door.
But Callie stayed rooted in place.]
He’d made it to the doorway bar
realizing she wasn’t following, frowning back at her: “What are you waiting for?”
Callie parted her lips, but in the end couldn’t bring herself to tell him she was leaving.[]
After a moment of silence, she made up an excuse: “I’ve got some stuff to handle. You go ahead, I’ll catch up later.“[]
Luckily, Declan didn’t seem to notice anythin
off. He just gave a casual “mm–hmm” and left.[]
Callie stood by the floor–to–ceiling windows, watching his black sedan pull out of the courtyard and disappear around the corner.[]
This was the first time in three years he’d remembered their anniversary.
And the first time she no longer cared.[]
She slowly pulled the fresh divorce decree from her purse and placed it on the coffee table.[]
STRATS OF FAKE LOVE, NOW I MEATTIER THIS WWT LOSTERO
Then, picking up the suitcase she’d packed long ago, she quietly closed the door behind her and walked away.[]
On the coffee table, the divorce decree lay silently next to the check she’d never cashed.]
Sunlight poured through the floor–to–ceiling windows, making the zeros on the check glow blindingly bright. []
But all those digits couldn’t buy back a hand knitted shawl… let alone three years of real love.[]
