Chapter 5

I made it back just in time for my dad’s birthday. This year, they decided to host the celebration at a nearby hotel, bringing together family and friends for a laid-back gathering. The hotel was conveniently close to our house, with five tables set aside for our tight-knit circle of loved ones.

Curiosity about Calvin was buzzing in the air. Luckily, my son Noah had soccer practice that day, so he wouldn’t be at the party. My parents expertly dodged any direct questions about Calvin until, right before dinner kicked off, my dad stood up to make a toast. That’s when Calvin showed up.

He was sharp in a suit, juggling several gift bags and a big card that screamed ‘Happy Birthday.’ Relatives and friends greeted him warmly. He waited patiently for my dad to wrap up his speech, then approached him with the card.

‘Happy Birthday, Ray,’ Calvin said, handing it over.

My dad gave it a quick once-over and said, ‘Thanks, Calvin, but you really didn’t have to go to all this trouble. You and Amaia are splitting up, after all, and I wouldn’t want you to feel like you had to do this.’

Calvin’s face dropped, and a wave of surprise swept through the room before everyone fell silent. He replied softly, ‘We’re still working things out…’

My dad shook his head, ‘Doesn’t change anything.’

With that, he turned to invite everyone to dig in. Calvin stood there for a moment, clutching the gift bags tightly. My mom smoothly returned the rest of his gifts. Without hanging around, Calvin left.

Once he was gone, the guests silently agreed to drop the subject of Calvin; no more questions about him. It was a relief.

My emotions were slowly finding their balance, and I was starting to accept the changes. I’d let go of the Mrs. Kelly title and was back to being Amaia Kelly. Even the property staff and concierge at the office somehow caught wind of the news—they stopped calling me Mrs. Kelly and went back to Miss Kelly.

I threw myself into my plans to open a coffee shop. As luck would have it, a space was up for lease, and I loved the location and layout, so I signed the lease on the spot. The current staff would stay on, keeping the business running, but I wanted to tweak the menu and flavors. I also planned to refresh the signage and furniture, starting with a soft opening.

After a long day finalizing plans at the shop, I was getting ready to head home. I glanced at the calendar on my dashboard. Fifteen days until the divorce was final.