All Chapters of Divorced, Remarried, and Done With Them: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

The first time Claire had come here was before the wedding, when she came to see Luke. Back then, they were still deeply in love.Now she was here for the second time to talk about divorce.Claire looked away from the towering building and walked into the lobby, calling Luke as she went.His phone rang until the call disconnected on its own.She tried again.This time, he declined it outright.Claire's grip tightened around her phone.She called Jade instead.Jade answered, but her tone was cold. Assuming Claire had come to deliver lunch again, she immediately said, "Mr. Holt already has plans. You can go home.""I need to speak with him," Claire said. "It'll only take ten minutes. Just let him know I'm here."Jade gave a derisive laugh, convinced Claire was only looking for an excuse to get close to Luke."Do you actually believe that excuse yourself? Claire, Mr. Holt really doesn't have time for you. He has important business to discuss with Ms. Young, and they're having lunch togeth

The man in front of her was the same person she'd been messaging a few days earlier. Julian Rivers, her former upperclassman from architecture school.Julian smiled. "I wanted to surprise you."Claire couldn't help laughing. She really was surprised and touched that he'd come."Thank you."Serena smiled as she watched them. "Don't just stand there. Sit down and talk.""Sure."They chatted for a while. As noon approached, Julian asked Claire to bring Gordon's test results and took her to meet Dr. Owen over lunch.Claire quickly gathered the paperwork and left with him.Twenty minutes later, they arrived at an upscale restaurant.They were a little early, and Dr. Owen hadn't arrived yet.Julian poured Claire a glass of water and asked about her personal situation."How's the divorce going? And what about the issue with Southridge Development?"Claire wrapped her hands around the glass and took a small sip."The divorce agreement is signed. We just need to finalize everything. As for Sout

"When did Claire leave?""This morning."Luke nodded and asked nothing else. It didn't even occur to him to call Claire and see whether something had happened. He simply went upstairs.He had just reached the master bedroom when Bella called.Luke answered. After hearing her gentle voice on the other end, he replied quietly, then turned around and left the house again.He didn't come home that night....The next morning, Claire made a pot of broth at her apartment and brought it to her parents at the hospital.She stayed until Gordon had received his injection and his IV was running, then left to take care of a few things.The night before, she'd looked at homes online and found a neighborhood she liked. It seemed quiet and comfortable, the kind of place that would suit her parents, so she decided to visit the sales office.A little over half an hour later, Claire walked inside.A sales agent immediately came over with a welcoming smile."Welcome. How can I help you?"Claire smiled po

When Claire came back, she heard Stella talking to another little girl nearby."Where did you get that plush keychain? It's so cute."The girl pointed across the rink. "From that blind-box vending machine over there."Stella followed her gaze and nodded eagerly. "Okay, thanks.""Who are you buying one for?"Stella smiled to herself.She wanted to get one for Aunt Bella as a little gift, but she kept that to herself."That's a secret."Then she glanced toward the line and saw Claire walking back with the skates. Stella got up, hurried over, and tugged lightly on her shirt."Mommy, I want to get one of those blind boxes. Can you give me some money?"Claire looked down at her, her expression subdued.She had heard Stella's conversation with the other girl and could already guess who the gift was for.It would be a lie to say it didn't hurt.When Stella was younger, she used to bring Claire little gifts too. A flower she'd picked somewhere, or a picture she'd drawn herself.But over the pa

On the way to the hospital, Stella looked completely deflated. She barely said a word, only glancing down at her phone every so often to check for messages.Claire noticed, but she didn't comment.Once they reached the hospital, she took Stella upstairs to Gordon's room, where they found Evelyn Jones from the next room visiting with her granddaughter, Sophie Jones. The room was filled with cheerful conversation.Sophie was sweet-natured and adorable. She had even folded a little flower out of colored paper as a gift, which immediately won everyone over.Stella caught sight of them before she entered the room. Her gaze lingered on the handmade flower, and a small frown appeared on her face.She hadn't brought anything for Grandma and Grandpa.Would they be disappointed?There was a plush keychain in her backpack that she could give them as a little present, but she'd bought it for Aunt Bella.She didn't want to give it away.Still torn, Stella reached for Claire's hand and gave it a sma