Chapter 9 Ryan stood to the side , watching us struggle , and warned calmly : ] " Sir , please let go of her , or I'm calling the police . " [ ] His stance was protective but maintained politeness and restraint . " Sorry , Ryan . I didn't mean to waste your time . Just give me a moment - I need to make things clear with him . " ] Ryan looked at me , then at the obsessive Jason . He wasn't entirely comfortable leaving , giving me a concerned reminder : " Call me if anything happens . I'll be over there waiting . He tactfully gave us space to talk privately . ] Watching Ryan walk away , I turned my attention back to Jason . The anger in his eyes gradually subsided , slowly replaced by another kind of panic . ] He seemed unable to understand why this time , everything was spinning out of his control . I suddenly felt exhausted beyond measure - too tired even to fight . " Jason , " I began , my voice so calm it surprised even me , " you asked why I'm determined to get divorced ? Fine . I'll tell you . " I started with that old phone . His broken promises to me . ] His favoritism and special treatment for Yvonne . One by one , piece by piece , I laid it all out calmly . No raised voice , no tearful accusations . Just like telling someone else's story . Jason's face grew paler and paler as I spoke He opened his mouth as if to argue , but realized any words would be powerless against these facts . " I can change , Lydia . I know I was wrong ... "Just give me one more chance , please ? " ] He stepped forward desperately to grab my shoulders , but I dodged . ] I promise it'll never happen again ! I swear I'll keep every promise I make to you ! " ] Seeing his desperate , humble pleading , all I felt inside was desolate calm . ] "Too late , Jason . " I shook my head . " I don't need it anymore . " " Your promises , your guarantees - I don't need any of it . " He looked like he'd been nailed to the spot , staring at me in disbelief . [ ] I thought after saying all that , Jason would finally get it . I was wrong - he still wouldn't give up . In the days that followed , he actually stayed in Charleston , handling work remotely . ] Then showed up downstairs from my house every single day . Flowers , gifts , endless promises and apologies . At first Mom tried to mediate , but soon she was giving him the cold shoulder . [ ] Dad went straight to chasing him off with a broom . " Get lost ! My daughter doesn't want to see you ! Leave now or I'm calling the cops ! " After several police interventions , he toned it down slightly , but still haunted us like a ghost . Until that major project Yvonne was handling back at the company had a catastrophic failure . Jason had no choice but to rush back and deal with it . ] What happened next , I heard from my best friend . Turns out Yvonne's overseas credentials were completely fake . ] During those years abroad , she'd been some rich guy's underground mistress . ] When his wife found out , she got kicked out and slunk back to the country in disgrace . When Jason learned the whole truth , he flew into a rage - apparently slapped Yvonne in front of everyone and fired her on the spot He even wanted to sue her for damages . Yvonne had no money , so she ended up with jail time . Coming out of the courthouse , Jason looked utterly exhausted . ] When he saw me , he fr he froze for a moment , then a flicker of weak hope lit up in his eyes as he walked quickly toward me . [ ] Lydia , what are you doing here ? " Sophia tightened her grip on my hand beside me . " Lydia's here to see me , so don't flatter yourself ! " I looked at Jason , my voice softs ] " Jason , agree to the divorce . " [ ] " Do you really want us to end up tearing each other apart in court ? " ] " We were together for five years . Let's at least end this with some dignity . " He stopped dead in his tracks , looking at me as the light in his eyes slowly dimmed . ] " I understand ... " Like he was using every last bit of his strength , his voice hoarse , he said quietly : " I'll sign the papers . " " But Lydia , I won't give up on you . I'll start over ... 50 " Don't bother . " I cut him off , my tone firm but detached . " Just contact my lawyer when you've signed . " Sophia lifted her chin defiantly . I looked at this man I'd loved for five whole years and said my final goodbye . " Jason , don't interfere in my life anymore . " " We're completely finished . " ] With that , I turned and walked away without looking back . Toward the place where sunlight was shining . Chapter 10 The warm Charleston sun filtered through the kitchen window as I helped Mom with breakfast , the familiar routine bringing peace I hadn't felt in years . ] " You look better , " she said , watching me flip pancakes with practiced ease . " Color's back in your checks. " Dad looked up from his newspaper . " Speaking of looking better , Ryan called again . That boy's been checking on you every day for three months . Good to have friends who care . " I smiled . " He's been amazing . I don't know what I would have done without him . " Before I could continue , my phone buzzed . Sophia's name flashed on the screen . Take it , " Mom nudged . " You haven't talked to her in weeks . " ] I stepped onto the back porch . " Hey , Soph . " " Lydia Shaw , don't you ' hey Soph ' me . I've been worried sick . How are you really doing ? " I leaned against the railing , watching a cardinal build its nest . " I'm healing Taking it one day at a time . " " Good . But listen , you can't hide in that sleepy town forever . " My stomach tightened . I'm not hiding . I'm recovering . " I " For three months . That's enough time to lick your wounds . Now it's time to remember who you really are . " Through the kitchen window , I could see my parents sharing the newspaper , Dad reading aloud while Mom laughed at something . Simple . Peaceful . Safe . ] " What if I like who I am now ? " I asked quietly . " I " Do you ? Really ? Because the Lydia I know had dreams bigger than this town . She wanted to build something , create something , prove something . " I closed my eyes , remembering late nights in college , planning business strategies , dreaming of corporate success . " That Lydia was naive . " " That Lydia was brave . And she's still in there somewhere . " The back door opened and Ryan stepped out , holding two cups of coffee . He handed me one with his usual easy grin . ] " I have to go . " I told Sophia . [ ] " Think about what I said . And Lydia ? You're stronger than you think . Don't let Jason's damage define your future . " Ryan settled beside me on the porch steps . " Everything okay ? You look like Sophia just gave you one of her famous pep talks . 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