Unlocked His Phone, Divorced Him Chapter 07

Unlocked His Phone, Divorced Him Chapter 07

The plane touched down in Willow Creek—two thousand miles away.

This was my hometown. A warm, humid little southern city.

I dragged my suitcase and stood in front of the familiar yet unfamiliar door. It took me a moment to gather the courage to ring the bell.

My mom opened the door.

She froze for a second. Then her eyes welled up.

“So you finally decided to come back!”

My dad came out from the living room at the sound—his voice stern, but his shaking hands gave him away.

I dropped my head, my voice breaking. “Dad, Mom… I’m sorry.”

They’d never approved of Ethan. I was the one who insisted on marrying him. I didn’t listen to anyone.

“You’ve been through a lot, haven’t you, poor girl.”

Mom took my hand with a worried look, her eyes running over me.

“Look at you—it’s written all over your face. You weren’t happy with him, were you?”

“Have you even been eating properly all these years?”

“Let me make you your favorite—black truffle tagliolini.”

I looked at the gray in my parents’ hair, and my eyes stung.

—

I’d pushed them away for a man. How stupid was that?

At least it wasn’t too late.

In the days that followed, I went grocery shopping with Mom, and she told me all the latest gossip. I went fishing with Dad by the river, though most of the time I just sat quietly and watched the ripples on the water.

The warmth of home slowly started to heal the cold emptiness inside me.

As Christmas approached, my parents hesitated several times, opening their mouths to speak before stopping themselves. Finally, they couldn’t hold it in anymore.

“Claire…” My mom’s voice was careful. “Are you and Ethan still… not talking? Has he called? Has he come to get you?”

My dad huffed, his tone testing. “Every couple has their fights. That’s just how it is. But you still have to make it work.”

“You chose him, after all. If he’s genuinely sorry, don’t be too stubborn.”

I saw the worry in their eyes—the way they tiptoed around the subject. I knew I couldn’t keep hiding it.

I set down the orange in my hand and said, calmly, “Dad, Mom. We’re not fighting.”

“I came back because I’ve decided to divorce Ethan.”

The living room went silent.

—

I kept it vague. Didn’t mention Evelyn or all the ugly details. Just said:

“There were too many problems between us. We’re not right for each other. It was exhausting. I was young and stupid before. Now I see it clearly.”

My mom was quiet for a long moment. Then her eyes welled up and she sighed, patting my hand gently.

“Forget it. You’re home now—that’s all that matters. This will always be your home.”

My dad finished his cigarette in silence, then gave a heavy nod.

A few days later, my mom brought it up carefully. Mrs. Hayes’s son, Adrian, had transferred back from overseas.

“Do you remember him? You two used to play together as kids. He heard you were back and asked if you’d like to have dinner sometime. Just to catch up.”

“Don’t overthink it. Just two old friends talking.”

I nodded.

It would be good to see an old friend. I needed to step out, to start building a new life.

The restaurant was nice.

Adrian was nothing like the skinny boy I remembered.

He’d grown into someone steady and refined. Easy to talk to, without ever making me feel pressured.

—

We traded childhood stories, talked about how Willow Creek had changed, and laughed at his overseas work anecdotes.

He knew exactly when to steer the conversation—never once bringing up my marriage. The atmosphere was light. Relaxed.

I realized I hadn’t laughed like this in a long time.

We were about to pay and leave when a waiter rushed over, apologetic.

“Sir, excuse me—someone backed into your car in the parking lot. Could you come take a look?”

We followed him out.

The moment we stepped into the lot, I spotted that familiar car.

And Ethan, leaning against it, his face dark enough to storm.

“Claire. We’re not divorced yet.”

He emphasized, his eyes cutting to Adrian with open hostility.

“You can’t wait to go out to dinner with another man?”

“What the hell am I to you?”

Adrian’s brow furrowed. He looked like he was about to explain.

I gave him a look, then stepped forward.

“Ethan, don’t you think that’s a little ridiculous?”

“I’m not allowed to have male friends? Not allowed to have dinner?”

—

Ethan let out a cold laugh.

“And you have the nerve to tell me that’s just a friend? I saw the way he looked at you.”

His voice rising, he grabbed my wrist—hard. His grip was so tight my bones ached.

I tried to jerk my wrist free with all my strength and let out a sharp, mocking laugh.

“What about you and Evelyn?”

“You two are always together—everywhere. You brought her into the company to take my spot. You were making eyes at each other at work, at the gala, in front of everyone. What did that make me, huh?”

“What, only you’re allowed to do it? And I’m not? Mr. Ethan?”

Ethan opened his mouth to argue. “There’s nothing between me and her—”

“Whether there’s something between you or not—it doesn’t matter anymore. Not to me. Not anymore.”

My voice went cold. I yanked my hand free.

“Sign the divorce papers. If you don’t want to—if you think it’s embarrassing—that’s fine. Two years of separation, and I can file for divorce anyway.”

“Ethan, I’ve got nothing but time now. I’m not afraid to wait you out for as long as it takes.”

He looked like my words had cut straight through him. His voice

—

came out hoarse.

“Why do you have to get a divorce? Why?”

“Just because of Evelyn?”

“I told you—there’s nothing between us anymore. Anything that was there is in the past. Look, if it bothers you that much, I’ll cut her off completely. For good. Is that good enough for you?”