Once I had recovered,I returned to the villa—not to reconcile,but to pack up and hand Lennon the divorce papers myself.
The moment I stepped through the door,I saw him sitting in the living room.His eyes widened,stunned at first,then something like joy flickered across his face,but it quickly hardened into the cold,guarded indifference.
"So you finally decided to show up?"he said,voice sharp."Good.We still haven’t settled things—especially your little betrayal.Might as well deal with it now."
I did not bother with a reply.I just tossed the divorce agreement on the table in front of him.
"There’s nothing left to deal with.Sign it.I’m only here to grab my things."
His eyes dropped to the papers.He did not even read them before his expression twisted with fury.In one sudden motion,he shot up and ripped the divorce agreement to shreds.The pieces fluttered to the floor like falling ash.
"Meredith,have you lost your mind?"he gritted his teeth and his voice trembled with disbelief."You think I’m just going to let you walk away from me?"
I scoffed and brushed past him,heading straight to the bedroom.I did not hesitate and began to pack my things.
Clothes,documents,jewelry—I packed swiftly.There was no hesitation,no second-guessing,no lingering sentimentality.
But Lennon was not done.He stormed in behind me,grabbing my wrist in a brutal grip.His fingers dug into my skin.
"What the hell do you think you’re doing?"he yelled,panic bleeding through his anger."You’re still mad,is that it?Fine!I get it,all right?I shouldn’t have done what I did.I messed up and lost my temper.Can’t we just slow down and work it out?"
I yanked my arm away,my eyes like ice."Don’t act like you’re some heartbroken victim,Lennon.You think I don’t know about you and Winona?"
His face went blank for a second—then flared with anger.
"That’s not true!Winona and I—there’s nothing going on.We’re innocent."
"Innocent?"I laughed,dry and sharp.I reached into my bag,pulled out a neat stack of photographs and hurled them at his chest."Is this what you called innocent?"
The glossy prints scattered to the floor—snapshots of him and Winona.Holding.Kissing.Smiling.Touching her like he never once touched me.
Lucan had given them to me days ago.
I sneered.
"She's not even blind."
"Lennon,you lied to me over and over again just for her.You betrayed me over and over.If you’d just told me the truth back then,I would’ve walked away without a word,but you couldn’t even give me that."
His face turned ashen,drained of color.
He stood frozen,the silence dragging on until he finally managed to choke out,"Edith,listen…just let me explain—"
"There’s nothing left to explain,"I cut in,voice sharp and final."You were the one who wanted the divorce,remember?You threw me to the wolves,let others disgrace me,refused to even touch me.So don’t stand there pretending to care now."
I zipped my suitcase shut with a cold finality."Sign the damn papers,Lennon.Let’s just end this cleanly."
Just then,the sound of heels echoed on the marble floor.Winona stepped into the room,her expression full of smug sweetness.Her eyes swept across the scattered photos.
"Oh my,what’s all this?"she said with feigned innocence.Then she sauntered over and hooked her arm around Lennon’s,looking at me with smug satisfaction."Meredith,if you’ve already made your decision,don’t waste Lennon’s time."
I did not even spare her a glance.I just grabbed up my suitcase and headed for the door.
"Meredith!"Lennon shouted after me."Where the hell do you think you can go without me?You know what the Evans Family is now.I’m the only one who can protect you!"
I did not pause.
"Is there someone else?"
This time,I stopped.
"Yes."
And with that,I walked out into the sun.
The air was fresh,the sunlight warm against my skin.And for the first time in years,I could finally breathe again.
Lennon and I were finally over.And this time,it was for good.
