Chapter 3
I hadn't planned on attending the party celebrating his mother's retirement.
But she called me three times herself, saying all she wanted was for the family to sit down and have a peaceful meal together.
I eventually agreed because there were still a few things I needed to return in person.
The private dining room was filled with members of the Hayes family.
Sophie sat to Leonard's right as his business consultant, helping him entertain two clients.
My seat was beside his mother, like a title that had been deliberately kept for me.
Someone laughed. "Leonard has people helping him with both work and home now. He's a lucky man."
The table went quiet for a second.
Leonard picked up his glass of water. "It's all work-related. Don't read too much into it."
He neither introduced me as his wife nor asked Sophie to move to another seat.
"Don't make a scene today. I'll talk to him for you later," his mother said softly, squeezing my hand.
I pulled my hand away and went to the lounge to organize my documents.
Sophie followed me out.
"You really know how to put up with a lot."
I closed my folder.
She leaned against the wall, a faint smile on her lips.
"Clinging to a marriage certificate won't make him stay. Leonard only asked you to come because he didn't want to embarrass his mother."
"Ms. Carter, whatever is going on between you and Leonard will be addressed as part of the divorce proceedings," I replied calmly.
Her expression shifted. "Who are you trying to scare?"
"I'm not interested in scaring you," I said, looking at her. "I'll compile and submit your messages, money transfers, records of your trips together, and what you said today admitting to the relationship."
"You think filing for divorce will..."
Just then, the door to the private dining room opened.
Leonard stood in the doorway, his gaze landing first on Sophie's reddened eyes.
"What's going on?" Leonard asked.
"Nothing," Sophie said quietly. "Grace's just having a rough day."
Leonard gave me a sharp look.
"Don't drag our issues in front of my mom," he said.
His voice wasn't loud, but several nearby tables still heard him.
I took the spare key from the folder and placed it in front of his mother.
"I came today to return the key. I've also updated the hospital's emergency contact, and all the follow-up appointment information is here."
One of his aunts asked in confusion, "What do you mean, return the key?"
"She's been upset lately, so she moved out for a few days," Leonard said before I could answer.
"No," I said.
I looked around at the family members at the table.
"Leonard and I have already signed the divorce papers. I haven't moved out temporarily, and we're not giving each other the silent treatment."
The room went completely silent.
Leonard's hand froze on the rim of his glass.
"Grace," he said.
"You signed the divorce agreement yourself. Your secretary was there and can confirm it."
His mother turned pale and pulled me into the small lounge next door.
She closed the door, her voice trembling.
"Leonard was foolish, but the two of you used to be so happy. When he was pursuing you, he waited all night at the last bus stop. Have you forgotten?" his mother asked.
I hadn't forgotten.
That year, a torrential downpour shut down the buses, leaving me stranded in the suburbs.
Leonard's car broke down halfway there, so he walked several miles to the bus stop. Soaked to the bone, he wrapped the only dry jacket in his bag around me.
He said that no matter how late it was, he would always come pick me up.
What he felt for me back then had been real.
That was why, when he left me waiting time and again, it became so much harder to excuse it by saying he simply didn't understand.
"Mom, what else are you asking me to put up with?" I asked.
She had no answer. She only tightened her grip on my hand.
"He'll change. Just give him one more chance," she pleaded.
"I've spent three years helping him. From now on, he needs to learn to take responsibility for his own mother, his family, and the choices he makes," I said.
Leonard followed me out as I left the private dining room.
"Did you have to say it today?" he asked.
"No matter when I say it, the facts won't change."
"Fine," Leonard muttered.
He pulled out his phone and opened his calendar right in front of me.
"Next Friday, we'll go make the divorce official. If you dare show up, I'll go through with it," Leonard said.
He said it like he was daring me to prove him wrong.
I watched as he set the date.
"Three o'clock sharp. Don't be late," I said.
He gave a cold laugh.
*****
"Grace, when we get there, don't come crying to me because you've changed your mind," Leonard said.
What I didn't say was, for me, this was over a long time ago.