Chapter 5

Then I said, "Go ahead and sign it. So we can handle all the paperwork right here.

"If you have time, it'd be best if we could get it done today.

"The bankbook has all your wages from over the years.

"I'm not taking my share—consider it child support for Lucas."

Edward didn't look up at me.

He kept his head down, tidying up his already spotless desk.

I waited in silence, trying to be patient.

After what felt like forever, I finally heard his voice, a little hoarse.

"Claire, am I really so awful?" Edward asked.

I was taken aback, not really sure what he meant.

But I just answered honestly, "To me, yes."

Being unfaithful in marriage was already the worst thing one could do.

Maybe it was just my imagination, but I saw Edward's hand tremble slightly as he was tidying up the books.

He suddenly seemed to lose his composure, unable to hide his agitation.

With nothing left to straighten on the desk, he moved on to the drawers, opening them and fussing with their contents.

That was when a few yellowed sheets of paper slipped out and fluttered to the floor.

They were old letters from years ago, with my handwriting on them.

Those were from the days when Edward wrote to me constantly, and these were the few letters I wrote back to him.

I noticed the topmost letter lying on the floor.

Even after more than a decade, I could still sense the love I once poured into those words.

[Edward, everything's good here.

[You don't have to worry about a thing. Just focus on your work—I'll take care of your mom and Lucas.]

[You really don't have to send me any more money.

[They just gave me a raise at the clinic, and honestly, I can't even spend it all.

[Keep it for yourself—get something good to eat, or buy a warm coat when the weather turns cold.]

So all that money I couldn't bear to let him send back, he ended up buying Grace a few silk scarves, got her some custom-made dresses, too.

Took her out to eat, watched a few plays with her.

He thought I was in the dark.

But I saw through it all.

I was all alone in this world, with no parents, no one to lean on.

But I could never forget the way he cared for me, or how good May was to me.

Truth was, I knew it all.

Truth was, I should've left ages ago.

I watched as Edward picked up the letters from the floor.

His hands were shaking, and his eyes were turning red.

The whole thing was just so ironic and ridiculous.

I said quietly, "Edward, there's really no need for us to talk any further.

"Let's just end things on good terms and move on."

Tomorrow night, I'll be gone. I still have to meet Simon and Brad to wrap up the last bits before I leave.

I left the divorce agreement on the desk and said, "If you're free, let's get the paperwork done by tomorrow at the latest."

As I walked out of the staff compound, a sudden downpour hit.

Edward came running after me, his voice trembling in a way I'd never heard before.

"Claire, it's not like you think. There's so much you don't know," he said.

I really didn't want to mess with him anymore.

I trust my own eyes when it comes to these things.

I'm done listening to excuses.

I hesitated for a moment, then walked right into the downpour.

Edward kept calling after me from behind.

He sounded anxious, almost desperate.

But then Grace's voice suddenly cut in, bright and clear: "Professor Nash, I forgot my umbrella. Can you walk me to the bus?"

Edward's urgent calls for me were swallowed up by the rain.

I braved the downpour and headed to the bus stop.

But then, the rain stopped falling over my head.

I looked up and saw a black umbrella.

When I turned around, I saw Lucas standing right behind me.

He pressed his lips together, not saying a word.

I was surprised. "Why are you here?"

When I came to the staff apartments with Edward, Lucas had already left.

He kept his face stiff, not even looking at me.

Years ago, I might've thought he was tagging along out of concern for his mom, quietly following me.

But now, I wasn't about to kid myself.

He kept silent, so I just let him walk with me, umbrella in hand.

We walked for quite a while before finally getting on the bus.

The bus was still packed.

Because of the sudden downpour, the floor was all wet inside.

When I started to lose my balance, Lucas suddenly reached out and took my hand, tucking it into the crook of his arm.

It was a silent gesture.

It felt like a needle, stabbing right into the softest part of my heart.

I glanced at him.

Lucas turned his head away, a little uncomfortable, still not saying a word.

It suddenly hit me that the little boy who used to cling to me, with his soft, childish voice, had grown up.

I had to look up to see his face.

By the time we got out of the car, the rain had stopped.

Lucas seemed to wrestle with himself for a long time before awkwardly taking off his jacket and trying to hand it to me.

I felt a sting in my eyes.

I took the jacket, but in the end, I ended up helping him put it back on.

I buttoned it up for him, straightened the collar, and tucked it snugly around him.

I looked up at his eyes, now colder and more reserved. "It's cold. Make sure to keep warm; don't catch a cold."

Lucas frowned. "I'm not cold."

I smiled. "Just in case—sometimes the cold sneaks up on you."

From now on, I wouldn't be able to look after him anymore.

Lucas seemed uncomfortable talking to me, his expression uneasy.

After a long pause, he finally spoke, hesitating. "That research award I got with Dad.

"The college is holding an award ceremony this Friday.

"Family's supposed to be there. Don't forget."

I answered honestly, "I probably won't have time."

Lucas replied in a cold voice, "You'll go. You always do."

I was momentarily speechless.

I reached out and patted his already neat collar.

I couldn't help but ask, "Are you free tomorrow? Would you come with me to visit grandparents?"

My parents were buried in Brighton.

They always loved kids, and I think they probably looked forward to me bringing Lucas to visit them every year.

Once I leave, Lucas probably won't do that anymore.

Lucas replied in a flat tone, "Oh, okay."

I guess that means he agreed, right?

I went into the school to find Simon, and Lucas didn't follow me.

Got everything sorted before leaving, and packed up my bags.

The next afternoon, I did my best to track down Edward for the divorce paperwork.

But he was so swamped, he couldn't spare even a minute to see me.

Left with no other option, I just gave up and left the signed divorce agreement behind.

As evening approached and I was about to leave, Lucas, who was supposed to go to the cemetery with me, was nowhere to be seen.

I went to look for him, and Edward happened to be there too.

Lucas, with a cold look, said, "It's Grace's birthday today. Dad and I have to go over there, so we don't have time."

I couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.

But in the end, I just nodded and kept quiet.

I watched them walk away.

Not once did they look back, just kept walking until they vanished around the corner.

So, I guess that's how it ended.

I turned around.

I walked under the shade of the trees, following Simon, who was carrying my luggage, and got into the institute's car.

As we drove away, everything in Brighton slowly faded from view.