Chapter 27
Claire had seen the ocean. Time to go home.
At sunrise, she packed up and headed to the front desk.
“Miss, checking out already?”
“Yeah.”
With Finley here, she wasn’t sticking around.
“Understood. Your checkout is complete.” The staff handed her a folder. “Mr. Lloyd left this for you early this morning. He said to give it to you when you checked out.”
Claire’s hands trembled slightly. “Where is he?”
“He figured you wouldn’t want to see him, so he took the earliest flight home.”
“Thank you.”
Claire stepped aside and opened the folder. Inside was the divorce agreement.
For a moment, she just stared. Then she flipped to the last page. Finley’s signature.
Tears slipped down her cheeks–not from sadness, but relief. She was finally free.
“Oh, miss, one more thing.” The staff handed her a business card. “Another gentleman left this for you.”
Claire glanced at the card. Just as she suspected–Jace Arnault, CEO. Big deal, big company.
“He said to call if you needed anything. And that he looks forward to seeing you again.”
“Where did he go?”
“He said there was an urgent family matter and left by helicopter last night.”
“I see.”
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Claire arched a brow, then tossed the card into a nearby trash can.
She wasn’t some naive girl hoping for a vacation romance. Some things were better left as fleeting moments. Anything more would ruin it.
Tucking the divorce papers away, she walked out. Time to go home.
The car wound up the hill, stopping in front of the villa. As soon as Claire stepped out, Gina, the maid, beamed.
“Miss Carlson, you’re finally back!”
“Hey, Gina. Where’s Mom?”
“In the kitchen, cooking all your favorites!”
Claire picked up her pace.
“Dad, Mom, I’m home!”
The scent of home–cooked food filled the air, wrapping around her like a warm hug.
“All my favorites?”
After marrying Finley, she had rarely returned home. Sitting down to her mom’s cooking again felt like heaven.
“You greedy thing! Did you even wash your hands?” Her mom scolded when Claire was about to grab a bite, but there was nothing but love in her mom’s voice. “You’re an adult
now, but you still act like a child.”
“Mom, I missed you.” She leaned into her mother’s embrace, voice soft. “I don’t want to get married again. Can I just stay here forever?”
Her mom shook her head. “Not happening. You’re free now. Time to move forward. Your dad and I found someone for you to meet. Blind date tomorrow.”
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“What?” Claire frowned. “I just got out of one train wreck, and you want me to dive into
another?”
“Don’t be dramatic!” Her mom waved her hand dismissively. “He’s handsome, successful, and kind. We picked him, so he’s definitely better than Finley.”
Of course, Finley had been her choice. He thought she was just some ordinary girl. What he
never realized? She’d been cherished like a princess her whole life.
“Fine, fine. I’ll go.” She pouted.
Even though she wasn’t thrilled, she knew her mom would nag endlessly if she didn’t go. A quick meeting wouldn’t hurt.
***
The restaurant was elegant, quiet. Claire walked in, already regretting this.
Then the man across from her looked up.
“Claire?”
“Jace?”
Their eyes met. A small smile.
What were the odds?
Claire sat down, glancing out the window. A soft rain drizzled, just like the day she first met Finley.
But not every story gets a happy ending.
