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!”
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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.
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.
–
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.
She’d been there through it all.
Eventually, he started to care. And when she got pregnant, things finally seemed to be
clicking into place.
Then Renee came back.
He got too comfortable, treating Claire’s forgiveness like it was guaranteed. He hurt her
again and again, convinced she’d always stay.
But this time? It felt like she was done.
Raoul studied his broken expression. “Mr. Lloyd, are you all right?”
He frowned and added, “If you regret this so much, why didn’t you treat her better from the start? Everyone saw how deeply Ms. Carlson loved you. But she’s had enough—that’s why she’s leaving.
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Chapter 10
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“Out of respect for everything she’s endured, sign the papers. Let her go.”
Finley’s head snapped up, his bloodshot eyes boring into Raoul. “Raoul, please. Just tell me
where Claire is.”
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