Chapter 17 - THE LAST DOCUMENT
Two years after Ethan's message, Gloria delivered one final envelope.
“The divorce is officially finalized.”
Natalie opened it.
The document was surprisingly ordinary.
Years of marriage reduced to signatures.
Assets.
Custody.
Agreements.
Numbers.
Clauses.
She read the final page.
Then she signed.
Gloria signed beside her.
“It’s done.”
Natalie exhaled.
She expected fireworks.
There were none.
No thunder.
No dramatic music.
Just sunlight through the office window.
She stood.
“So that's it?”
Gloria smiled.
“That’s it.”
Natalie looked at the signature.
For nineteen years, she had been Natalie Caldwell.
Now she would keep the name if she wanted.
Not because it belonged to Ethan.
Because it belonged to her too.
She folded the document.
Then she walked outside.
Claire was waiting in the car.
Mason was beside her.
They had grown taller.
Stronger.
Happier.
Natalie opened the passenger door.
“Ready?”
Claire smiled.
“Where are we going?”
Natalie looked at the road ahead.
May you like
“Home.”
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