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Chapter 7

Author: Local Universe
Kenny ended the call and spun toward me, oozing attitude. "Mr. Buxton says once you're done throwing your little tantrum, you should crawl back and apologize to Ms. Payne. That divorce talk? Not cute for her image."

I glanced at my mom's smiling face on the headstone and whispered, "I'm not going back."

Kenny didn't even flinch. Just rolled his eyes and strutted off.

I knelt, laid fresh tulips at Mom's grave, and brushed the dust off her picture. "I'm leaving Calvin, Mom. Don't worry—I've got real family now."

My hand settled over my stomach. "We're gonna be okay. Even without him."

The breeze was warm, the sun high. I paid for thirty years of upkeep, grabbed my bag, and headed straight for the airport.

***

Buxton mansion.

Deborah clutched Gianna like she was some fragile treasure and shot Calvin that trademark mom-glare. "I told you, girls like Angela? No manners, no backbone. She's threatening divorce over nothing—what does she think this family is, a charity?

"Honestly, jus
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  • The Last Rain Before Goodbye   Chapter 11

    Calvin's eyes were heavy with regret. "I'm sorry. I was a bastard. The way I treated you... I—"I gave a small smile, brushed back a loose strand, and wiped a tear from the corner of my eye. "It's fine. That's all behind us."I had a lot of time to think in the hospital. Maybe it's time we both move on—you let go of whatever you're chasing, and I'll let go of what hurt. You did hurt me, yeah... but you also gave me a reason to start over. You gave me him."He looked away, fidgeting. "From now on... this is the only child I'll ever have. You know that, right?"I nodded. "I won't keep him from you. But custody stays with me. I won't compromise on that."He nodded too, watching me intently. "I've been thinking, too. I still... I have feelings for you. I wouldn't have jumped in front of that truck if I didn't. Angela, can we try again? I'll do it right this time. A real home. For all of us."I paused. Then shook my head. "Let it go, Calvin. We were never the right fit."He dropped h

  • The Last Rain Before Goodbye   Chapter 10

    Calvin went pale, like it finally hit him how gross his words actually sounded."Don't do this... Let's just go home, okay?"Home? Please.I smiled, slow and sarcastic. "Yeah, no. I haven't had a 'home' in a long time. Your wife's probably redecorating the nursery already, remember?"I paused, then let it rip."This baby? Call it me doing you a favor. Finishing your PROMISE. A little mercy gift—from you to me."We don't want your money. We're not coming after the Buxton vault. If it helps you sleep at night, we can sign papers. Cut you out completely. Done deal."Every word gave him the out he clearly wanted—and still, he just stood there. Stone-faced.Then he grabbed my wrist. "What do you WANT from me? Everything I own? Don't be greedy."I laughed, even as tears slid down. "Wow. Still the same Calvin Buxton. You really think everything's a transaction?"To you, everything's got a price—love, kids, me. What's next? Starting another betting pool with your frat bros?"Newsfla

  • The Last Rain Before Goodbye   Chapter 9

    Since the gala—aka the night Gianna hijacked the spotlight to drop the engagement bomb and Luke clapped back with divorce papers—things between Calvin and Angela had been ice cold.They looked close, sure, but the vibe? Totally off.Calvin, still out of it, blinked at the woman in front of him. Same eyes. Same soft tone. His mouth moved before his brain caught up."Angela..."Barely a whisper, but it hit like a lightning strike.Gianna's face? Ghost white.Calvin pulled her in, his stubble grazing her hair as he caught a whiff of roses.Then his face dropped.The second he saw her clearly, he shoved her back."Don't touch me. Angela wouldn't like it. And Angela's my wife—quit playing."Silence. Total dead air.These were the same people who used to crack jokes about Angela. Gold-digger this, tantrum that. Some even placed bets on how fast she'd come crawling back for cash.Angela had heard it all once—just trying to get a wasted Calvin home.To them, she was never a wife.

  • The Last Rain Before Goodbye   Chapter 8

    When Luke said Gianna's face that night was priceless, I cracked up.No surprise the divorce papers showed up the next morning. The Buxtons, desperate to save face, announced Calvin and I were already done and Gianna was the next Mrs. Buxton. Cute.Money worked miracles. Throw enough of it around and lawyers clean up the mess. PR teams? They can turn a scandal into a bedtime story overnight.I sipped the chicken soup Colleen had just set down, tapped my phone, and shot Luke the final payment.His last text blinked on the screen: [Congrats on being single.]I smirked.When I first bolted from Carmoria, I half-wondered if Calvin would chase after me. Cute thought. Luke's daily stack of evidence killed that daydream fast.Calvin and Gianna jetted to Veyora for some spring flower fest, rode horses across the plains, dove in Costa Tria, even chased the aurora up north.And in every single pic, he looked at her like she hung the stars.Meanwhile, our one photo? Him in a groom's suit

  • The Last Rain Before Goodbye   Chapter 7

    Kenny ended the call and spun toward me, oozing attitude. "Mr. Buxton says once you're done throwing your little tantrum, you should crawl back and apologize to Ms. Payne. That divorce talk? Not cute for her image."I glanced at my mom's smiling face on the headstone and whispered, "I'm not going back."Kenny didn't even flinch. Just rolled his eyes and strutted off.I knelt, laid fresh tulips at Mom's grave, and brushed the dust off her picture. "I'm leaving Calvin, Mom. Don't worry—I've got real family now."My hand settled over my stomach. "We're gonna be okay. Even without him."The breeze was warm, the sun high. I paid for thirty years of upkeep, grabbed my bag, and headed straight for the airport.***Buxton mansion.Deborah clutched Gianna like she was some fragile treasure and shot Calvin that trademark mom-glare. "I told you, girls like Angela? No manners, no backbone. She's threatening divorce over nothing—what does she think this family is, a charity?"Honestly, jus

  • The Last Rain Before Goodbye   Chapter 6

    He turned around. Gianna's eyes were red.Cleared his throat, guilt catching in it, and answered the call."Hello, Mr. Buxton. I'm Luke Cohn," came a firm voice. "Angela Astor's attorney. She's officially filed for divorce. I'll be handling the proceedings."***Calvin's eyes went cold. Whatever desire was there? Gone.Gianna scoffed and strutted to the vanity, swiping on a fresh coat of bright lipstick. Gotta stay pretty, gotta keep the spotlight.Calvin gave her a quick glance, dropped his voice, and slipped out the door.She was about to trail after him—until something on the floor caught her eye.A notebook.She picked it up, smirking—until she saw what was inside.Her face soured.She could stomach Angela holding the Mrs. Buxton title for a while.But pregnant? That was a threat. One she couldn't ignore.In the study, Calvin stared at the divorce agreement Luke had emailed over, barely keeping his anger in check.The mansion. The cars. The shares. Angela didn't want

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