Chapter 7

"Are you really sure about this?" Hannah Johnson held Kayla's resignation letter, still thinking it was a real shame. Kayla nodded with a smile. "Yeah. I'm my parents' only child, and their health is not great. I've decided to move back home." "What about Professor Simpson? What's he going to do about his job?" Hannah asked again. Everyone at work knew about Kayla and Jonah. They were long-distance all through college, and then she moved to Jolsa after graduation to be with him. People had always thought they were rock solid. Especially since Jonah was the youngest professor at Jolsa University—with a bright future and a tenured track—there was no way he'd leave all that behind. "We're getting divorced," Kayla said plainly. "Divorced?" Hannah looked stunned. Kayla just smiled. "Yeah. It's already in motion." She'd always carried herself with quiet grace—easygoing on the surface, but firm in her convictions. Once Kayla made up her mind about something, there was no going back. "Well… Then I wish you all the best," Hannah said, signing the paperwork without pushing her to reconsider. Kayla spent the rest of the day wrapping up her tasks and finalizing her handovers. That evening, the divorce agreement was sent by express delivery to the office. She read through every clause carefully, then signed it cleanly and without hesitation. After work, Hannah invited the whole team out for a farewell dinner. When someone suggested karaoke afterward, Kayla didn't say no. She went along. Jonah had never liked her attending parties, especially those with drinking or loud music. So, out of respect, Kayla had always said no to outings like this. She'd bent over backward to consider everything he liked. And for what? It had all ended like this anyway. Ironically enough, the night wrapped up with a coworker singing a heartbreak anthem called "Divorced in Kosova". … Kayla got home past midnight. When she opened the door, she saw Jonah smoking on the couch. As soon as he heard her come in, he stubbed it out and stood up, looking apologetic. "Sorry," he said sheepishly. "I couldn't help it. I smoked in the house." "It's fine," Kayla replied. She didn't care about him anymore. Why would it matter to her whether he smoked in the living room or not? She kicked off her shoes and walked toward the bathroom, but Jonah stepped in her way. Tonight, he was determined to talk. "Kayla, I need to tell you something." She was exhausted and too tired to argue. She stood still and looked at him without flinching. "Okay. Go ahead." Jonah thought that his attitude that morning might've upset Kayla, and that she'd be mad and give him the cold shoulder. And now, she came home this late? He figured she was trying to make a point and provoke him. But instead, Kayla was calm. Even though a sense of unease still lingered in his chest, he knew he couldn't put this off any longer. "Ms. White... She's been given a critical notice. The doctors said she could pass any time now. And she… she has one last wish." Jonah didn't think he was doing anything wrong, but somehow, the rest of the sentence just wouldn't come out. How was he supposed to tell his wife he was planning to marry another woman? "She wants you to take care of Lily for the rest of her life. She wants to see you two get married before she goes, right?" Kayla said, cutting him off. She hadn't forgotten what Lily said earlier that day. She'd just waited to hear it from Jonah himself. Apparently, he knew it sounded awful, too. "You already know?" Jonah was surprised. But now that it was out in the open, he figured he should at least try to explain. "Kayla, when I was little, my parents were never around. There was one time I got really sick—Ms. White carried me through a storm to the hospital and stayed by my side for three straight days. She saved my life. I owe her. I can't just watch her go without peace. So can you please—" Before he could say anything more, Kayla interrupted. "You don't have to explain. I agree." She even smiled when she said it. That smile wiped away half the weight in Jonah's chest. Relieved, he pulled her into a tight embrace. "I knew you'd understand. That's why I love you—you've always been so mature." He added, "Oh, by the way, the thing with Lily—it's just for show. We're only doing the ceremony. We won't be inviting too many people. But if folks start gossiping, I hope you can help me explain."