Unlocked His Phone, Divorced Him Chapter 08

Unlocked His Phone, Divorced Him Chapter 08

Adrian stood to the side, watching us struggle. His voice was calm but firm.

“Sir, let go of her. Or I’m calling the police.”

His stance was protective, but he kept it polite and restrained.

“Sorry, Adrian—I didn’t mean to take up your time. Give me a minute. I’ll sort it out.”

He looked at me, then at Ethan—clearly uneasy.

“Just tell me if you need anything. I’ll be right over there.”

He stepped back, giving us space.

I watched him walk away, then turned back to Ethan.

The anger in his eyes had faded—replaced by something else. Confusion. Uncertainty.

He didn’t understand why everything was slipping out of his control this time.

Suddenly, I felt exhausted. Too tired to even fight.

“Ethan,” I said, my voice calmer than I expected. “You asked why I have to divorce you. Fine. I’ll tell you.”

I started with the old phone.

Then every broken promise. Every time he’d let me down. Every exception he’d made for Evelyn.

—

One by one. Quietly. No raised voice. No tears.

Like I was telling someone else’s story.

As I spoke, Ethan’s face went pale, inch by inch.

He opened his mouth like he wanted to argue—but there was nothing to say. The facts spoke for themselves.

“I’ll change, Claire. I know I messed up…”

“Just give me one more chance. Please.”

He stepped forward, reaching for my shoulders. I pulled back.

“I promise—from now on, I’ll never do it again. Everything I promise you, I’ll actually do. I swear!”

Looking at the desperate, almost pitiful eagerness in his eyes, all I felt was an empty calm.

“It’s too late, Ethan.” I shook my head. “I don’t need it anymore.”

“Your promises. Your guarantees. I don’t need any of it.”

He stood frozen, staring at me like he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

I thought that would be enough to make him finally get it.

But he still wouldn’t let go.

In the days that followed, he actually stayed in Willow Creek. Worked remotely. And showed up outside my building every single day, right on time.

—

Flowers. Gifts. Promise after promise. Apology after apology.

My mom tried to talk to him at first. Then she just gave him the cold shoulder.

My dad went straight for the broom and came out swinging.

“Get out! She doesn’t want to see you! If you don’t get out now, I’m calling 911!”

After a few police visits, he toned it down. But he still wouldn’t leave me alone.

Then a major project under Evelyn’s watch—the one she’d been handed—crashed and burned in the worst possible way. Ethan had to rush back to handle it.

I heard what happened next from Natalie.

Evelyn’s overseas degree—the one that got her the job—turned out to be completely fake.

All those years abroad? She’d been some billionaire’s lover.

His wife found out, and Evelyn got sent packing—humiliated, with nothing to show for it.

When Ethan found out the truth, he lost it. Apparently, he slapped her right there in front of everyone and fired her on the spot. He even sued her for damages.

She had nothing. So she ended up in jail.

Coming out of the courthouse, Ethan’s face was etched with exhaustion.

—

When he saw me, he froze. Then a faint flicker of hope lit up his eyes.
He hurried toward me.

“Claire—what are you doing here? Did you come to see me?”

Natalie tightened her grip on my hand. “She’s here for me. Don’t get your hopes up, Ethan.”

I looked at Ethan. My voice was quiet.

“Ethan. Agree to the divorce. Just sign the papers.”

“Do you really want us to end up in court? Fighting like enemies?”

“We had five years together. At least let it come to an end with some dignity.”

He stopped abruptly in his tracks. Stared at me. The light in his eyes dimmed, slowly—little by little.

“I get it…”

His voice was hoarse, like he’d used up every last bit of energy. He spoke in a low, broken tone. “I’ll sign.”

“But Claire—I’m not giving up on you. I’ll find my way back—”

“Forget it.” I cut him off, calm and firm. “Just have your lawyer contact mine when you’re done.”

Natalie lifted her chin.

I looked at the man I’d loved for five years—and spoke my final words to him.

“Ethan. Don’t ever come looking for me again. Don’t disturb my life.”

—

“We’re done. Completely.”

I turned and walked away. Didn’t look back.

Walking toward a future bright with hope