Chapter 10
Emma’s words made Finley’s face twist, guilt clawing at him until he slapped himself. “It’s my fault! I shouldn’t have-“His voice broke as he sank to the floor. “I killed our baby. I was wrong. I’m a monster.”
He struck himself repeatedly.
Emma felt a twinge of pity. “Mr. Lloyd, stop it! Blaming yourself won’t fix this. Mrs. Lloyd is gone, and you need to focus on
finding her.”
Her words froze him mid–motion. He blinked hard, then dragged himself to his feet. Without another word, he stumbled toward
the stairs, his only thought to find Claire.
But a knock at the door stopped him cold.
Raoul stepped in. “Good morning, Mr. Lloyd.”
“If you’re here for Claire, she’s not here. Go back.”
Finley tried to push past him, but Raoul didn’t budge.
“Actually, I’m not here for Ms. Carlson. I’m here for you.”
That name made Finley’s jaw tighten. “Ms. Carlson? She’s my wife! You’ve always called her Mrs. Lloyd. What’s with the name
change?”
Raoul pulled out a stack of papers. “This will clear things up.”
Finley stared at the bold letters on the front. His stomach dropped.
“What is this?”
“The divorce agreement,” Raoul replied evenly. “Ms. Carlson asked me to prepare it. She’s already signed. All that’s missing is your signature, and it’s official.”
“Divorce? I didn’t agree to this!”
He snatched the papers and tore them apart like a man possessed.
Raoul didn’t flinch, calmly pulling another copy from his bag. “I expected this. Ms. Carlson did, too. She signed several copies. Go ahead, rip them all if it makes you feel better.”
“Impossible! She wouldn’t divorce me. She loves me!”
Finley couldn’t accept it. Claire loved him. She wouldn’t just walk away.
He remembered the year Renee left for abroad. His family had pushed him to settle down, and Claire? She’d married him without
hesitation, even knowing he didn’t love her.
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Chapter 10
For three years, he’d been… not great. But he gave her what he thought counted.
And Claire? Everyone knew how much she loved him.
+20 Bonus
If he stayed out too late, one call and she’d show up. Even when he embarrassed her–drunkenly calling Renee’s name in public
or acting out in front of their friends–she never got mad. She’d just wait for him to sober up, then take him home.
