Lucas's penthouse felt more silent than usual. No staff lingered in the hall, and no music was played. It was just him and the manila envelope—sealed, signed, and stamped—on the coffee table.
He and Lorna were officially divorced.
After looking at the papers for a while and running a hand through his hair, he picked them up and carefully put them in a drawer. It was finished. Clean and neat, at least on paper. However, everything still felt jumbled inside.
A gentle knock broke the silence.
Lorna stood at the door with a composed but unreadable expression. Earlier, she had texted him to ask if he was ready to talk.
He moved to make room for her. I was on the verge of brewing some tea. Like chamomile still?
She followed him into the kitchen and nodded. "Always."
Like muscle memory, they performed the movements. No stress. Just a silent, mutual comprehension. They sat on opposite sides of the couch when the tea was ready, their physical and emotional separation now complete.
It was Lucas who spoke first. "It's done."
She gave a nod. "I understand. I got a call from the attorney."
Like mist, a pause fell between them.
"I would like to express my gratitude," she said softly. "For supporting me when I needed it." for raising Jason alongside me, even though it wasn't your duty."
Lucas's gaze grew softer. "He also became my son in all significant ways. Releasing you does not entail abandoning him. If he ever needs me, I'll be here for him."
"I understand," she uttered, her voice catching in her throat. "And for that, I am thankful."
Lucas's gaze lowered to his tea. "We both knew, I believe, that this chapter was ending. It was comfort that kept us waiting. acquaintance. But not the kind of love that we both deserve."
Slowly, Lorna nodded. "It's peculiar. Because you were safe, I believe I wanted to love you. Nice. steady. However, safety isn't always the goal of love."
His smile was wry. "Risk is a factor sometimes. and suffering. as well as truth."
Sipping tea, they sat for a few more minutes, allowing the last strands of their marriage to slowly unravel between them. Not at fault. No rage. Just a quiet farewell.
Lorna whispered, "I hope you find serenity." "And genuine happiness."
"You too," Lucas said in a deep voice. "No one deserves that as much as you do."
He got up and escorted her to the door.
She glanced at him just before leaving. "I know hope is right for you. I can see how you and her get along. lighter. Don't allow fear to rob you of that."
Surprised by her blessing, Lucas blinked. "I'm grateful."
After a moment of holding eyes, she finally turned to leave.
Long after the door had closed, Lucas was still standing there with his tea cooling in his hand. This sort of farewell was painful.
However, there were moments when love required knowing when to let go.
And he understood that the only way either of them could really start over was to let go.