Elodie ended the call and sat in the car for a few moments, lost in thought. Suddenly remembering something, she hurried out and rushed upstairs.

In her bedroom, she tore open drawers and rummaged through boxes, searching frantically for the divorce certificate she’d tucked away. There it was plain black ink on crisp white paper, stamped with an official seal.

How could there possibly be a problem with something so clear, so indisputable?

She sat on the edge of the bed, the divorce certificate clutched in her hand, frozen in place for what felt like ages. Dozens of wild, impossible scenarios flashed through her mind, none of which made any sense.

She didn’t want to torture herself with spiraling thoughts. Running a hand through her hair, she exhaled sharply. There was nothing she could do now except wait for Jarrod’s call.

Rain began to patter against the windows. Sitting and stewing would only drive her crazy, so she decided to shower, hoping to wash away the anxiety gnawing at her insides.

Again and again, she told herself—there must have been a mistake somewhere in the process. She kept herself distracted, puttering around for nearly three hours.

Still no word from Jarrod.

The silence made her even more anxious. Just as she was about to call him again, a knock sounded at the door.

Elodie stared at the entryway, breath caught in her chest. Only after a moment did she force herself to get up and open the door.

Jarrod stood outside, rain still falling behind him. His suit jacket and the collar of his shirt were streaked with wet patches. He glanced at his watch-this was the fastest he could have possibly gotten here.

“Andrea said you needed to see me. Urgently.”

Elodie’s eyes searched his face. She hadn’t really believed he’d drop everything and come, but… he was here.

“Jarrod, there’s a problem with my background check.” She tried to keep her voice steady but couldn’t hide the way her gaze bore into him. “They said I’m still listed as married. That’s got to be a mistake, right?”

Jarrod stood in the doorway, his dark eyes fixed on her. His expression was unreadable-no surprise, no guilt, nothing.

In that instant, Elodie’s heart sank, heavy and inexplicably certain.

“Why aren’t you saying anything?” Her voice trembled, raw with fear. He held her gaze steadily. “It’s true. We never finalized the divorce.”

He said it simply, without hesitation. That calm, matter-of-fact

admission knowing the truth all along and never letting on-sent a chill down her spine. Suddenly, every bit of effort she’d spent trying to move on felt meaningless.

For the first time, she didn’t hold back. Her face icy, she lifted her hand and slapped him hard across the cheek.

The sharp sound cracked through the silence.

Jarrod’s head turned with the blow. Slowly, he looked back at her, meeting her

gaze, seeing the tears burning in her reddened eyes.

Elodie’s whole body shook. Her lips were white with disbelief and anger. “Jarrod, just tell me what’s real anymore? You knew about this. Why didn’t you tell me?” fo

They weren’t divorced. And Jarrod had known the whole time.

He’d been lying to her, keeping her in the dark with his silence. That was what she couldn’t accept, what made her so furious.

Whether it was that incident with the “birth control pills” or this-he’d only ever hurt her.

Jarrod lowered his gaze, noticing her hand, red from the force of the slap and still trembling at her side. How could it not hurt?

He bent down and gently took her hand, pressing his thumb to the burning center

of her palm. “This was my decision alone. I ignored what you wanted, and I’m

sorry.”

Elodie’s eyes shone with unshed

tears as she yanked her hand from

his grasp. “What do you want from me, Jarrod? You were the one who loved me once. Then you turned cold for two years. You’re the one who broke our vows. Now, I can’t even have the right to walk away? What do you want from me?”

After the divorce, she’d thought she’d been reborn. The process had been hell,

but it was hope—a light at the end of her life’s tunnel.

Now, to be told it was all a lie?

He’d never said a word. Had all her efforts been for nothing?

She rarely lost control, but now her tears spilled over, running down her cheeks.

One tiny, silent drop landed on her hand—a small thing, but it felt like it left a hole right through her heart.