Chapter 16: Going through a divorce was something that might have devastated Allison three years ago, but now, it felt like little more than brushing an old coat she should have thrown away centuries ago.

Not that there wasn't sadness.

Of course there was.

Three years pretending to be someone he wasn't because of a fleeting love from his youth.

She had foolishly believed that Colton could remember their shared past, but even if he did, what difference would it make now? Colton already had his true love and, in the process, had transformed into someone she found completely disgusting.

Now that it was all behind her , Allison found divorce surprisingly trivial, as if it had no more weight than choosing what to have for breakfast.

Instead of the anguish she once feared, she felt liberated, as if her shackles had been removed.

Maybe it was because those three years had been nothing more than a cascade of disappointments.

When he finally learned the truth, his heart had hardened, gone numb.

How had he not realized before? How had he not realized how vile Colton was? He threw his head back and muttered under his breath: This is my new one.

beginning.

That night, Allison fell into a deep, dreamless sleep in bed, the weight of her past growing farther and farther away.

The next morning, he headed to the old Stevens family estate, situated in the middle of a hill with stunning views that would make any visitor pause.

Allison was hoping to meet Keanu directly.

But to her surprise, it was Colton's mother, Lindy Stevens, who greeted her.

Allison, you're here, Lindy said quietly, taking a delicate sip of her coffee.

Despite being over fifty, Lindy carried herself with the grace of someone whom time has not touched.

She wore a fitted brown cheongsam, adorned with pearl earrings, and all her movements were poised and refined.

When she looked up, her gaze lingered briefly on Allison.

Surprise flashed in Lindy's eyes.

Gone were the simple, baggy clothes that Allison had been wearing before and the stiff clip that held her hair back.

a light green dress, which flowed gently, like a willow swayed by a

was a newfound elegance, a quiet charm that didn't exist

Good morning, Mrs.

Stevens, Allison greeted politely.

her respectful tone,

how messy things had become with Colton, she maintained the

no need for such formality,

with me," Lindy said warmly, standing up to take

the warmth, he couldn't help but

was still

was something else: a cold distance, a stark contrast to

Don't call me Mrs.

always, sighed, a trace of weariness in

Colton misses it.

how hard these years must

to Lindy's words

to the couch, but her posture remained

tone,

there's no need

Stevens.

it

to find fault with his

eyebrow slightly,

covered it up with

how furious I am

I told him

so sick, he would have

situations with charm and grace, but

formal title, Allison had created a distance

wasn't cold, exactly, but

eyes with a finger, as

a very hard life,

support you and now this

do you plan to manage on your

an enameled gold bracelet from

mistake, and I can't control it, but I've always thought of you

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