CHAPTER 13: HE'S GIVEN UP

MARIE The late evening air welcomed me as I left Lyn's house, wanting to enjoy this peaceful moment before returning home. But my phone rang in my hand before I could even take my keys out of my purse. Ralph's name flashed across the screen as I peered down at it. My heart skipped a beat because Ralph didn't usually call unless it was urgent. I answered quickly, my voice trembling slightly, "Ralph?" "Marie," he began, his tone more serious than usual, "I have some news." I gripped the phone tighter, my knuckles turning white. "What is it?" I asked, bracing myself for whatever he was about to say. My mind raced with possibilities—had Damian found a new way to delay the process? Was there some new legal complication I hadn't anticipated? "Damian has finally agreed to sign the divorce papers," Ralph said, calm but laced with an undertone of disbelief. I stopped dead in my tracks, my breath catching in my throat. "What? Are you serious?" The words tumbled out before I could process t