Chapter 319
Hadley immediately shook her head in refusal. “I can’t accept any money.”
Her rejection wasn’t a display of stubborn pride. When she had been desperate years ago, the Flynn family had generously opened their doors. They had genuinely cared for her without expecting anything in return. Marriage to Eric had always felt like her way of repaying their kindness. Accepting money now felt like betraying that principle.
Frustration flared in Eric’s voice as he shouted, “Just take it if I’m offering!”
Anticipating another rejection, he quickly explained, his voice coldly detached, “Consider this purely from me to my ex-wife. It has nothing to do with my family or my grandmother.”
Caught off guard, Hadley hesitated, unsure how to counter such insistence.
“Get her to sign, already,” Eric muttered irritably.
He reached for his cigarettes but remembered smoking was prohibited inside the courthouse.
“I’m stepping out to smoke,” he said abruptly, walking away to find the designated area.
“Hadley,” Cristian gently said, offering her a pen. “Please, just sign these. Without your signature, you might not finalize the divorce today.”
He had a point.
“Okay.” She agreed reluctantly, taking the pen and diligently signing each document presented.
“Here,” Cristian said, handing over an ink pad. “You’ll need to stamp your fingerprint as well.”
“Alright.”
Hadley complied carefully, finishing quickly and reaching for a tissue to clean her fingertips as Eric re-entered the room.
Cristian reviewed the documents carefully. “All appears to be in order. Let’s proceed.”
The divorce process for Hadley and Eric, devoid of battles over property or custody, concluded swiftly due to their amicable agreement.
The clerk handed out the divorce certificates. “These are for you both,” he said.
“Thank you,” they both responded.
Hadley’s hand shook subtly, betraying her emotions. Eric found himself questioning if she was truly that happy to leave him. Watching her, a tangle of emotions stirred inside him. He had waited years for this divorce, yet Hadley seemed to be the one who felt genuinely free.
“Well then…” Hadley slid her certificate into her bag, her lips curling into a faint smile. “I guess I’ll be on my way.”
“Hadley,” Eric called after her, stopping her in her tracks.
“Yes?” Hadley, no longer intimidated, met his gaze with a bright, open expression. “Anything else?”
“I’m sorry.”
Hadley paused, visibly taken aback. Was Eric genuinely apologizing now?
Eric’s brow furrowed, betraying his discomfort, yet he managed a self-deprecating smile.
“Why that look? I’m aware I wasn’t the best husband.”
Hadley remained silent. Forgiveness wasn’t owed for every apology.