Chapter 8
I placed the last dish into the cabinet and wiped my hands on a towel.
punside the sinall kitchen window, the streets of Lyon were quiet, bathed in soft golden light. A far cry from the chans I left behind.
tom,” Lumacalled, “can we got the park later?”
Isanded faintly “Yes, sweetie. Let me finish here, and we head out.
she beamed, coming off with her sketchbook Her hair bounced behind her like the happy, unbothered child she should’ve always been
The phane sang, breaking the price.
I glanced at the screen;
Savin
Thesitated, then picked up. “Hello?”
“Anna,” she said, her voice auralmasever. “How are you?”
“Tmatriglu,” I said, walking toward the living room. “How’s will
There was a pause on the line.
“That’s why I called,” she said, “Why don’t you visit him?”
Introwned, sinking into the couch. I don’t want to. I just wanted to know it he’s getting better or worse. Honestly, I hope it’s the latter.”
“I know, “I muttered, “It’s harsh. But I’m done being the soft one.
There was another short silence. Then she said, “His assistant called me. He said Will’s been trying to reach you. He’s looking for you.”
1clenched my jaw. “I didn’t answer. And I won’t. Did you tell him where Lam?”
“No,” she said. “I didn’t.”
“Good,” I said flatly, staring at the quiet apartment walls.
“How are you settling in?” she asked gently.
Llooked out the window again–the balcony overlooked a narrow cobbled street, a small bakery below us, the air always smelling of butter and flo
“It’s good,” I said simply, “quiet. Peaceful.”
“I still can’t believe you’re in France.‘
“I needed space,” I replied.
“You should’ve given Will a chance. Why leave without saying goodbye?”
“because we had a deal,” I said simply. “Ten years. I stayed ten years. Thept my word ”
Busan didn’t say anything for a while. Then softly, “I went to the hospital to see him.”
sat up straighter. “You did?”
*Ten. I didn’t tell him about you. But… I tell sorry for him. He looked awful.”
Tsaid thing
“He doesn’t law people well,” she said. “Charlotte’s not a good person. He thought you told me about her. He got angry, impatient. Said Charlotte had been taking care of him, and you. You’d never even shown up. He thought you’d said something to me to tum iw against him.”
“And did you?” I asked.
“Nu,” she said firmly. “I didn’t say a word. I just left. I felt sorry for him, but not enough in speak on your behalf. That’s your decision.”
“Thank you,”Isaid quietly,
“I just wish things had turned out differently.”
“Mboo,” whispered.
The call ended. I stood there for a moment, holding the phone loosely in my hand.
That there, phone in hand, eyes on the floor. The sun had shifted. Shadows crawled across the wood
Then it rang 4gain
I stared at the screell.
lenocedit.
Hecalled again And again. Five times in total.
I didn’t move
Then came the text
What’s the meaning of the divorce papres, Anna?
I stared at the screen for halt a second before pressing the power button and huming the phone off completely.
I dropped the phone on the counter like it burned me. My heart pounded in my ears, but twalked away.
“Mommy?” Luna perked arend the corner, wearing her pink cardigan and clutching her little plush fox. “Are we going to the park now?”
I smiled. “Yes, we’re going now.”
I grabbed my coat, locked the door behind us, and let the phone right where it was–face down on the kitchen counter.
Outside, the bereze felt like freedom
Igrabbed Luma’s sketchpad from the shelf and dug through my suitcase
found the old paint set 1 smuggled in from London – cheap watercolor, but they
were mine.
The last time I held a brush, 1 still wore white. The ink on manage contract hadn’t even dried.
After that. I stopped, will didn’t say no, but he never said yes either. He barely noticed when I stopped setting up my easel.
Time to pick this up again,” I muttered, clearing a spot near the window where the light hit best.
“Mom, what are you doing?” Luma peeked around the comer, curious.
“I’m going to paint,” I said, smiling, “Want to join me later?”
Shebeamed and disappeared into her room to grab her markers.
And then my phone rang again.
Charlotte.
I stared at the screen, thumb hovering over the Ignore button, it kapt ringing. Again. And again
“Oh, for God’s sake. “I snatched it up. “What do you want?”
“What did you do to him!” Charlotte’s voice pierced through the line like nails on glass “What the hell did you do to WIL?!”
“What?” I blinked. “What are you talking about?”
“Don’t play dumb with me, Annal” she screeched. “He doesn’t want him He make a lot of excuses as if he doesn’t want to see me! He doesn’t want my help amore!”
“You heard me! Ever since you dropped those divorce papers, he’s been a mess. I tried to take care of him–I was the one at his sidel And now all he wants is you? You did something–what did you say to him?!”
“Nothing.” I snapped. “I haven’t seen him. Haven’t spoken to him. So stop spinning your little drama.”
“You think you’re so clever, don’t you?” Charlotte hissed. “Just walking away, pretending you don’t care. You think you can just disappear and he’ll fall at your
“I don’t care,” I said coldly, “Tou can have him. I already served the papers. This conversation is over.”
“No, it’s not!” she shrieked. “You’re mining everything, Anna!”
I pulled the phour away from my ear, pressed rod, and tossed it facedown on the couch
“Mon?” Luna pecked in again. “You okay?”
“I’m perfect, sweetheart,” I said with a smile I didn’t quite feel yer.
