Chapter 90

They had come to a point where divorce was inevitable—and it was his fault. “I agree to the divorce.”
The words left his lips, tearing through his chest as if they might rip him apart.
In that moment, Daniel realized his feelings for Aurora weren’t the gentle affection of family, but something deeper-love.
He was in love with her.
Not the way you love a sister, but the way a man loves a woman.
His eyes stung with the revelation, but he still managed a gentle smile. “Tomorrow morning. Nine o’clock. I’ll see you at the courthouse.”
He set the paper bag on the table. “There’s some medicine in here. Remember to use it.”
Without another word, he turned and walked away, his lonely figure swallowed by the darkness.
Aurora buried her face in her hands and collapsed into Una’s arms, sobbing.
There was sorrow, pain… and beneath it all, a strange sense of relief.
This long, exhausting marriage was finally ending.
Una smiled through her own tears and whispered, “Congratulations.” But the smile barely hid her heartbreak.
Aurora spent that night at her friend’s place, finally sleeping soundly for the first time in ages.
The next morning at nine sharp, Aurora stood at the courthouse steps. Glancing up, she saw Daniel in a crisp white shirt.
She felt a flicker of disbelief.
That shirt—he’d worn it on the day they registered their marriage.
Back then, Daniel’s expression had been cold as stone; she hadn’t been much happier herself. It hadn’t looked like a wedding, more like a breakup.
Right after signing the marriage papers, she’d moved into North Manor.
She hadn’t wanted this marriage, but deep down, she’d still harbored a fragile hope.
That’s why she’d carefully folded away the outfit from their wedding day, keeping it pristine.
Now, Daniel wore that same shirt-to sign their divorce.
Everything had changed.
Aurora quickly pushed the memories aside and lowered her gaze. “Let’s go,” she said quietly.
Disappointment flickered in Daniel’s eyes, followed by a bitter resignation.
He’d worn the shirt hoping, somehow, it might change her mind.
They needed to sign the divorce agreement, both signatures required.
Daniel hadn’t signed the previous versions, so he had nothing with him. Aurora, as always, was prepared.
She placed the paperwork in front of him. “Take a look. If there’s no problem, sign.”
His hand trembled as he picked up the pen.
Aurora pretended not to notice the redness in his eyes. Feelings that came too
late were worth less than nothing-she didn’t want them.
“My only condition is that I’ll take The Almanac of Air with me. I don’t want anything else.”
If they couldn’t cherish it, she would.
Daniel closed the agreement and spoke softly, “I’ll have my lawyer draft a new agreement. You’ll get what you deserve.”
He was offering her half of everything he owned.
Aurora opened the agreement again and slid it toward him. “That’s not necessary. Just sign.”
She wanted nothing but her freedom.
There was a faint sparkle in Daniel’s eyes, but in the end, he signed his name.
Aurora let out a breath and added her signature, then handed the papers to the clerk.
Moments later, the clerk informed them that if neither party objected within a month, they could return to collect the finalized divorce decree.
Aurora hated this rule. In a month, Daniel could refuse to follow through for any reason or simply not show up at all.
Thankfully, this time Mr. Hogan Chambers himself was involved. Daniel wouldn’t be able to get away with it.
The thought eased her mind. She turned to go.
Daniel caught up and gently brushed his fingers against the bruises on her cheek.
A night had passed, but the marks were still startling.
His mother had always been brash and unreasonable.
At least the doctor had said there would be no scars.
Aurora brushed his hand away. Her tone was cool, formal. “We’re divorced now, Follow current novels on
Mr. Chambers. Please respect that.”
A cold unfamiliarity settled between them.