The Man Who Never Looked Away novel Chapter 127

Lavinia froze.

She sat there for a long moment before saying quietly, "Two weeks ago, I left the signed divorce papers at the house, but Garnett didn't see them. Honestly, I don't even care about getting him to sign them anymore."

Charley looked up at her. "Why not?"

"As long as I don't divorce him, he's just a cheating scum of a husband, and Sigrid is nothing but the mistress destroying someone else's marriage." Lavinia shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "I'm used to being the cheated-on wife anyway. Might as well use the title to make their lives miserable."

She said it with a self-deprecating tone, but Charley didn't laugh.

"I don't personally agree with that approach," he said evenly, "but no one else can walk in your shoes. Whatever you decide, I'll be here with you."

Lavinia's nose stung fiercely.

From Blossom City to Penbrook, and back to Blossom City again, he had been the one standing by her side the entire time.

"Alright, don't cry. You know I hate seeing you like this." Charley reached over and pinched her nose lightly. "Just promise me you won't run away without a word again and scare the people who care about you."

"I know. I promise," Lavinia muttered, looking down.

Right in the middle of dinner, Lavinia's phone started ringing. It was Garnett. She blinked at Charley and whispered, "Watch this." Then she answered the call and put it on speakerphone.

"Mr. Harper. What can I do for you?" Lavinia asked smoothly.

The line went dead silent for two seconds before Garnett's furious voice echoed through the speaker. "What the hell are you playing at? I'm still waiting for you at home! Where did you go?"

"I'm out grabbing dinner to celebrate my new place," Lavinia said.

"New place? Dinner? Lavinia, what kind of game are you playing?"

Lavinia took a slow, steady breath, keeping her voice completely level. "Mr. Harper, consider this my formal notice. As of today, I have moved out of your residence, and I will never set foot in that house again."

She paused. "I sincerely wish you and Ms. Sloan a very harmonious life together in every possible way. Oh, and if any scandals about your extramarital affairs happen to leak to the press, don't expect me to play the dutiful wife and cover for you."

The best part of the oatmeal fondue was the rich broth left at the very end. Charley scooped a bowl for her. "Don't overthink anything right now. Focus on finding a job, settling into your new place, and getting your life back on track."

Lavinia looked at him. "Charley, what if I didn't pass the exam?"

"Then you take it again. Don't rush it." He paused. "I know a lot of people expect you to make huge decisions right this second, but the problems aren't going to vanish just because you make a choice. Learn to take things one step at a time."

Lavinia stared at him thoughtfully.

There was something entirely unique about Charley. The way he viewed problems, the way his mind worked—it was so different from anyone else she knew.

And yet, everything he said made perfect sense.

"You're basically my brother," Lavinia said sincerely.

Charley's hand froze for a split second, a helpless, wry smile pulling at the corners of his mouth.