Chapter 10 I really didn't think it was possible. Something as simple as finalizing a divorce. And Derek still managed to show up late. I'd been sitting in that courthouse waiting room since ten that morning. By the time afternoon rolled around and he still hadn't shown, I figured he was playing games-trying to stall or back out. Then finally, he came limping through those double doors. Something was clearly wrong with his leg, and when he tried to smile at me, it looked more like a grimace. His voice came out all hoarse and ragged. "Hey, Riles." For just a second, everything stopped. My mind shot straight back to our wedding day at this exact courthouse. Derek had been ridiculously late that day too-kept me waiting forever. I was about ready to murder him when he finally burst through the doors, completely out of breath, holding this delicate white veil he'd picked up from some vintage shop. "I know, I know-I'm the worst. But look what I got." "Everyone online says even courthouse weddings should feel special, you know? Wanted to make sure my girl got the real deal." The way he'd grinned at me standing there in the parking lot, all sweaty and proud of himself-God, it had filled up my entire chest. Made me cry those stupid happy tears right there on the spot. 'Riley." I just... I want to give you everything good. Everything you deserve." That's all I want." Standing in front of that courthouse photographer, Derek had squeezed my hand so hard it almost hurt, staring right into my eyes. No matter what life throws at us-sickness, stress, whatever-I'm not going anywhere. You're stuck with me, Riley Bennett. That's not Changing" I'd looked up at him with tears streaming down my face, seeing my reflection in his eyes, barely able to choke out: Same. I'm all in." But now? Now we were back at that same building and everything had turned to shit. Derek sull looked rough-exhausted, beat up-but this time all he said was: "Let's just get this done." "They're closing soon anyway." The stamp came down hard on the divorce certificate with a decisive thud. 16:20 Doar Hubibu yan. Di 1 heard Derek's voice cut through the silence. Riley" "What if..." his eyes were desperate, almost pleading, "what if I'd never screwed up? We'd still be together, right? Forever?" When Derek and I first moved to this city, young and stupid and broke, he'd wrapped one arm around me and pointed at the skyline with the other. "See those twin towers? That's where I'm gonna be someday." "I'll climb all the way to the top. And then I'll build us the life you deserve." And now? Now he was asking me: "If I hadn't messed everything up, we'd still have that home we built together. Right?" "Riley, I've never loved anyone else. Not really." "Look, I know I fucked up. But c'mon-show me one guy who hasn't. Everyone makes mistakes." "Riley, I really do love you. You have to know that." Standing there in the afternoon sun streaming through the courthouse windows, Derek started crying like a little kid. But I felt... nothing. All those sweet memories he was trying to weaponize? They just felt tainted now. Covered in grime I'd never be able to wash off. "It's over, Derek." I couldn't even look at him anymore. "We're done. That's it." There's no 'what if.' That's not how life works." As I turned and started walking toward where Maddie was waiting by her car, Derek's voice cracked completely behind me: "But Riley, I love you! Don't you get it? I fucking love you!" From the passenger seat, I watched him collapse onto the courthouse steps, completely falling apart. And my mind went straight back to that night. Those fireworks exploding across the Charleston sky. Calling Derek over and over while watching him kiss someone else. My hands daking so badly I could barely hold my phone as I whispered: Pick up. Please just pick up." Derek, pick up the phone." Please, baby, please. Just tell me you're still home. Tell me you're not here. Tell me I'm seeing things." I'd been so desperate to believe my eyes were playing tricks on me. That it was someone who just looked like Derek. That the man I loved-the one I'd completely reshaped my entire life around-would never do this to me. 16:20 Dear Hubby, Your Biggest Mistake? Thinking I'd Beg Instead of Burn 7.1% Chapter to But Derek was the one who threw me away. "So apparently Jade hired some guys to fuck Derek up pretty bad." Maddie's voice pulled me back to the present. "And it gets worse-she took it to his grandmother's nursing home." She pulled up a video on her phone. "His grandma's gone, Riley. Heart attack from the stress. Derek completely lost it." Thank God you got out when you did." The video showed Derek covered in blood, standing in front of Jade with this unhinged smile on his face. I felt absolutely nothing watching it. Just calmly swiped out of the video. 'Not my problem anymore." 16:21 Dear Hubby w