Chapter 8 Chapter 8

On the third ring, Nathan answered. She wouldn't stop calling until he did.

"Keren, why do you keep calling?" The irritation in Nathan's voice was unmistakable. He was still trying to process the reality that his wife was truly gone. and that she hadn't even fought for their marriage.

"Did I call at a bad time? I'm sorry, Nathan." Keren's excitement bubbled through the phone. "I just couldn't wait to tell you that I got the job at the library!"

Nathan closed his eyes briefly.

"Thanks to you, I finally have something to do in this city. Now I can start paying you back for everything you've done for me."

"You're welcome, but you don't need to pay me back. What happened to you was because of me. Helping you was the least I could do." Nathan's gaze drifted to the divorce papers on his desk.

"We should celebrate! Come to my place tonight. I'll cook. Or would you rather go out?"

Nathan sighed, unable to muster enthusiasm. "Not today. I have too much to handle."

"Come on, please. It's Saturday. Weekends aren't for work. They're for living." Keren's voice carried a playful insistence.

"I need to file my divorce papers at the courthouse. So everything can be finalized."

There was a brief pause. "Oh." Keren's voice dropped, though inside she was barely containing her elation. "Does that mean you both signed?"

"Yes."

"Then we have two things to celebrate tonight!"

"I'm sorry, Keren. Not today. Maybe another time." Nathan ended the call before she could protest further.

He showered, changed into fresh clothes. He forced himself to eat breakfast before heading to the courthouse. After filing the papers, he turned his car toward his parents' mansion. The entire drive, he rehearsed different ways to break the news. Knowing his father especially would not take it well. But they needed to hear it from him first.

As Nathan pulled into the driveway, he noticed an unfamiliar car. Then he spotted them. His parents were standing at the entrance. There was a familiar figure he immediately recognized as Brooke.

His parents looked devastated. His mother's eyes were still red and wet from crying. Brooke had her back to him, so he couldn't see her face. But the way his parents were comforting her told him everything he needed to know.

She had gotten there first. She had told them before he could.

Now how would he ever explain his side when they had already heard hers?

Nathan stepped out of his car and approached the three figures at the entrance.

"Everything is going to be alright, dear." Marise Leo squeezed Brooke's shoulder gently, her voice thick with emotion.

"Since you've made this decision, I trust you've thought it through carefully. You're a smart girl. I am sure of that." Robert Leo's usual authoritative tone was softer now, tinged with regret. "This is mostly my fault. I should have let you kids choose for yourselves instead of assuming you loved each other."

Nathan absorbed every word. From what he was hearing, Brooke had made his parents believe the divorce was her decision. She had taken the blame. Spared him the ordeal of a lengthy explanation. Because he already made up his mind that was going to happen if he wants his parents forgiveness.

He owed her for that.

"Thank you, Uncle Robert. Thank you, Aunt Marise. I should go now. Goodbye." Brooke's voice trembled as she turned toward her car without acknowledging Nathan's presence.

The deliberate avoidance stung more than he expected. Brooke had never ignored him like this before.

"Hey, Brooke." Nathan stepped forward. "I tried calling you."

"I changed my number." She didn't even glance at him as she slid into the backseat of her car.

He waited, expecting her to offer the new number. Instead, the car pulled away, leaving him standing in the driveway.

---

"Miss Turner said to thank you for the copy of the divorce certificate," Leo's driver reported.

"What else did she say?" Nathan leaned forward eagerly.

"That was all, sir." The driver paused. "Though I did notice the Turners seem to be renovating or moving. There were boxes being loaded out of the house."

"I see. Thank you." Nathan dismissed him with a nod.

The driver left, and Nathan sat alone in his office. It has been a month since their divorce. He was still bewildered by Brooke's complete silence. No angry calls, no dramatic confrontations, no retaliation whatsoever. It was so unlike the Brooke he knew.

By Friday evening, Nathan was preparing to meet his friends Matt and Ryan at their usual club. It had been their tradition before they all took on family responsibilities. Now these nights out were rare, carefully scheduled when everyone was free.

His phone buzzed with a text from Keren.

Keren: I just got my first paycheck! I'd love to celebrate with you. Please, Nathan. It's been a while, and you're all I have here.

Nathan stared at the message. He'd already made plans with the guys. Although, truthfully he'd been avoiding Keren since the divorce. though he couldn't quite explain why.

Guilt crept in. He was all she had in this city, the only person she knew. He typed back quickly, inviting her to join them at the club.

When they arrived, Ryan and Matt were already settled in their usual secluded corner. They had a clear view of the dance floor below.

After the initial greetings, everyone took their seats and drinks were ordered.

"Keren, good to see you," Ryan said with a welcoming smile.

"I hope you guys don't mind me crashing," Keren replied.

"Not at all. The more the merrier," Ryan assured her.

As the club filled with the Friday night crowd and the music grew louder. Matt kept stealing glances at Keren, his brow furrowed in concentration.

"Keren," Ryan finally said, leaning forward slightly, "you look really familiar. Are you sure we haven't met before?"

"I was just thinking the same thing," Matt added, his eyes narrowing as he studied her face.

Keren's eyes widened. Her chest tightened as her heart began to race.