Chapter 81


    Chapter 81


    Leanne had just finished preparing dinner, a well-orchestrated spread that thankfully didn’t. resemble


    the chaotic mess


    of herst attempt. The dishes looked downright presentable


    this time.


    She sat down at the dining table and nced at the clock. It had been an hour and a half since the


    phone call. Curtis should be home soon. Yet, as the moment of truth approached, Leanne found herself


    far calmer than expected.


    The obsessions of the past had given way to eptance, and the once unbearable thoughts were now


    met with indifference. Sure, the journey had been painful, but it was that very journey that allowed her


    to extricate Curtis from her heart with surprising ease.


    She had experienced both love and hate for Curtis. But as their saga came to an end, she was able to


    release all the emotions with a sense of calm indifference.


    Their marriage had veered off course and taken her on a detour filled with brief disarray, but it was


    finally reaching its predetermined conclusion.


    Leanne waited at the dining table for Curtis’ return.


    But as the evening sky darkened, there was no sound of his car pulling up. The brilliant chandelier


    above the table cast its glow on the now cold dishes.


    After nearly three hours of waiting, Curtis hadn’t shown up. Though he was far from perfect, he wasn’t


    one to break his


    word. With no clear understanding of the situation and several unanswered callster, Leanne was


    about to give up when her phone was finally picked up just before disconnecting.


    “Are you


    you back?” Leanne asked.


    “Hello? Leanne?” It was Suzan on the other end, not Curtis.


    Leanne’s remaining words caught in her throat,


    That exined it. No wonder Curtis hadn’te home.


    ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    Leanne just hadn’t expected that even today, when they were supposed to discuss their divorce, a


    matter of such gravity, would be so casually neglected by him.


    Perhaps Leanne had umted enough disappointment that she felt little surprise or resentment at


    that moment.


    “Where’s Curtis?” Leanne inquired.


    “There’s been a bit of an emergency on my end, and Curtis can’t leave right now,” Suzan replied. “Are


    you waiting for him at home? Might have to wait a bit longer.”


    “Okay, got it.”


    Chapter 81


    After hanging up, Leanne looked at the cold feast before her and suddenly felt a sense of


    release.


    She had imagined that in the end, just like in the beginning, they would sit down.


    face-to-face and end things with a formal sense of ceremony. But now, with the deadline passed and


    divorce a mutual and undisputed agreement, with no assets to split, there seemed no need for a final


    face-to-face.


    Her bags were already packed. Leanne called a cab. The friendly driver helped her load her luggage


    into the trunk.


    As she took her seat in the car and they drove off, everything she was leaving behind. receded in the


    rearview mirror.


    The memories at Crystal Cove Vis’ suite Number 9 and three years of life and love were all fading


    into the past.


    Meanwhile, in the emergency room of the hospital, Suzan clutched her phone, about to erase the call


    log when she noticed a figure entering. She quickly stashed the phone


    away.


    The CT scan of your brain is clear,” Curtis announced as he walked in with the results. “But you’ll need


    to rest your knee. Take it easy for a while.”


    Suzan handed him the phone with a clear conscience, “n brought your phone. Leanne called a few


    times. It seemed urgent, so I answered for you and let her know.”


    Curtis scrolled through the phone, noting several missed calls from Leanne.


    Suzan’s legy stretched out, a stark wound seamed with stitches on her pale knee.


    ddenly, she winced, her face turning ashen. Curtis, it hurts…”


    dialing Leanne’s number, seemed not to hear.


    ere was no answer from Leanne. After two attempts, he was just as unsessful.


    “If you’re anxious, go on home,” Suzan suggested with a tight smile, attempting to sound casual.


    To her surprise, Curtis grabbed his coat, ready to leave. “I’ve taken care of the medical bills. Your


    mother is on her way, she’ll be here soon. I’ll leave n with you, just call him if you need anything.”


    n, suited up in ck, stood to the side, visibly on edge..


    Suzan managed a weak smile and joked, “I’m starting to be a little scared of n.”