Chapter 3

The moment I got back home, I opened the closet and started packing.

I gathered my documents, art portfolios, and the jewelry my mother had left behind. Everything else, I placed neatly back where it belonged.

Most of the decorations in the living room, the vinyl records in the study, and the matching dinnerware set in the kitchen had been bought together over our seven years.

I took only what was strictly mine and left everything else behind.

At 2 a.m., Lucas texted to say that Ben’s fever had finally broken, but Hallie was still emotionally unstable, and he wouldn't be coming home tonight. When the hospital door closed behind me earlier, our second-to-last meeting officially came to an end.

As of now, Lucas and I only had one final meeting left.

The next afternoon, the front door lock beeped.

I was in the living room organizing my sketchbooks when I looked up and saw Lucas pushing the door open. Following right behind him were Hallie and Ben.

"Emma."

Lucas set down another piece of luggage, his tone sounding like he was simply notifying me of a decision that had already been made.

"The police issued a warning to Hallie's ex, but he still found her old address. It's not safe for them there right now."

I looked at the two suitcases sitting by the entryway.

"So you brought them here?"

"They're only staying for two nights. Once the firm arranges a safe place for them, they'll move out."

Hallie held her son's hand, standing awkwardly behind him.

"Mrs. Bolton, I am so sorry. I really didn't want to bother you two, but Ben just got over his fever, and I'm honestly too terrified to take him back home."

As apologies spilled from her lips, her gardenia perfume drifted past the entryway, invading the home I had lived in for seven years.

Seven years ago, when Lucas and I first moved into this place, he replaced the existing smart door lock. He registered my fingerprint as number one and his as number two, telling me home was my haven. Anyone entering needed to have my permission first.

Now, without asking me, he brought another woman straight inside.

"You've already brought them in. Why bother asking me now?"

Lucas frowned slightly.

"Emma, this isn't the time to throw a tantrum.

"Hallie is in the middle of a custody battle, and her ex has violent tendencies. If anything happens to them, nobody can take responsibility.

"You've always been kind-hearted. Don't take our issues out on them."

Hallie quickly pulled on his sleeve.

"Mr. Bolton, maybe we should just forget it. I'll take Ben to a hotel. I really don't want you and your wife fighting because of us."

Hearing this, Ben timidly leaned closer to Lucas.

"Mr. Lucas, I'm scared my daddy will come get me."

Lucas looked down at him, his tone immediately softening. "Don't be scared. You guys stay right here."

Only after saying that did he look back at me. "The guest room is just sitting empty, anyway. It's only for two days."

I remained quiet for a moment, then nodded.

"Fine. But since our seventh anniversary was ruined, I want to buy an art studio. Consider it you making it up to me."

I pulled out a few pre-prepared documents, along with the divorce agreement, and handed them over to him. "I need your signature."

Lucas assumed I had simply stopped making a fuss. He casually flipped through two pages and signed his name wherever the signature tabs were placed.

"Buy whatever you want. You don't need to save money on my account."

I gathered the documents, not telling him that one of them was the exact divorce agreement he had refused to sign last night.

"Fresh bedsheets are in the closet."

I picked up my portfolios and turned back toward the bedroom.

Ben, however, pointed toward the end of the hallway, his eyes lighting up.

"Mommy, there are stars in that room!"

He broke free from Hallie's hand and pushed the door open.

The galaxy projector on the wall turned on, casting a sea of blue light across the ceiling. It was the nursery Lucas and I had prepped for our future child.

Ben looked up at the starlight, his face full of excitement. "Mr. Lucas, can I sleep here?"

Without even looking at me, Lucas nodded.

"If you like it, go right ahead. It's been sitting empty anyway."

My footsteps paused for a second before I turned and walked straight into the bedroom.

I closed the door and continued packing the rest of my belongings.

Sitting on the very top shelf of the vanity was a silver comb left behind by my grandmother. It was what she’d used to brush my hair one last time before she passed away.

I wrapped it carefully in a soft cloth and was just about to place it into my suitcase when the bedroom door suddenly swung open.

Ben was standing at the doorway, his eyes locking onto the silver comb in my hands.

"Hey, that thing glows!"

He rushed over, snatching the handle of the comb in one swift grab.

"Let me play with it for a bit!"