Chapter 4
Claire was decent, after all.
Even when it came to divorce, she used the word "discuss".
Was there really anything to discuss?
Was she worried I'd go after her money? Or maybe she was afraid I'd cling to her and refuse to sign the divorce papers?
I sniffed, managing a weak smile, pretending I was fine.
"It's okay. I'm good with whatever," I said, trying to sound casual.
"You can tell your mom yourself.
"And... when do you want me out?"
Claire froze for a moment, her eyes clouded with confusion.
I forced my smile even wider, so wide it almost hurt my face.
"Go ahead, give it to me. Don't you need my signature?" I said.
"Did you misunderstand..." Claire began.
Before she could finish, the doorbell suddenly rang.
As soon as Claire opened the door, Lucas hugged her close, wrapping her in a gentle embrace.
"Claire, I had another nightmare. Could you stay with me?" he murmured.
He was dressed in loose, comfy loungewear, a world away from the crisp suit he had on at work.
But he still looked as handsome.
Seeing him so fragile could melt any woman's heart.
Maybe it was because I was there, but Claire frowned and pushed him away, her expression cold.
"What are you doing here?" Claire demanded.
Without thinking, she turned to look at me, a look of panic flashing across her face, something I had never seen from her.
Before she could say anything, I waved her off. "I'll leave you guys to it. I'm heading to my room."
Claire had already given me more decency than I probably deserved.
No way was I going to be that oblivious, hanging around as the third wheel when it was obvious we were about to split up.
Back in my room, I finally dropped the fake smile.
I collapsed onto the bed, buried my face in the blanket, and bit down hard on the corner, trying to keep myself from crying out loud.
The tears I'd been holding back all day finally came flooding out, like a dam bursting.
I cried my heart out, and when I finally came out with my swollen eyes, the house was completely empty.
I picked up my phone, planning to ask Claire when she'd be back so we could get the divorce finalized tomorrow.
But then I saw Lucas had updated his social feed.
The caption was short: [Nailed it.]
The photo was a selfie. His pale neck was streaked with raw, fierce red marks.
The phone dropped to the floor with a dull thud.
I hurried to pick it up, gritting my teeth, forcing myself not to picture their passionate scene together in my mind.
Then, moving on autopilot, I grabbed my essentials and a few everyday clothes, shoving them all into my suitcase.
Just before leaving, I realized the divorce papers were missing from the coffee table.
I had no clue where Claire had tossed them, so I downloaded a template online, filled in our details, and signed it.
Then I left it right in the middle of the coffee table, where she couldn't miss it.
Claire, in the end, our story ended.
*****
By the time Claire had escorted the persistent Lucas to the police station and rushed back to headquarters late at night to submit her resignation, it was nearly midnight.
She opened the door, exhausted.
The house was completely dark. She thought Adam must already be asleep.
Claire felt anxious, unsure if he would agree to leave Riverside and move to Harborview with her.
The moment Claire turned on the light, her gaze was immediately drawn to the divorce papers sitting in plain sight on the coffee table.