The Man Who Never Looked Away novel Chapter 258

His answers came much slower than Lavinia's.

The red ink of the official seal stamped down. The application was officially filed, and the countdown for the 30-day mandatory waiting period began.

Lavinia gathered her documents, stood up, and walked out of the registry office.

Just as she stepped outside, Garnett caught up to her.

"My car's in the lot. Want a ride?" he asked.

Lavinia shook her head. "I'm taking a cab."

He looked at her, his tone laced with dark amusement. "I thought you had a line of guys falling over themselves for you. Couldn't even get one to pick you up today?"

"It's a gloomy day for business," Lavinia said coolly. "Best not to drag anyone else down."

Garnett's eyes turned ice-cold.

"I still have some things left at the Arden Estate," she added casually. "You haven't changed the gate code, have you?"

His lips parted, his voice barely a whisper. "No. I haven't."

"Then I'll find a day to come pack up," she said flatly.

Garnett stood beside her for a long moment. Neither of them said another word. Without bothering to say goodbye, he turned on his heel and walked toward the parking lot.

Lavinia waited until he was entirely out of sight before crossing the street.

Just across the crosswalk lay a small neighborhood park. Charley was standing right at the entrance, holding Nemo's leash.

He had spotted her from a distance and kept his eyes completely locked onto her until she stood right in front of him.

"All done?" he asked softly.

Lavinia nodded, her voice quiet. "There's a thirty-day mandatory waiting period." She let out a long sigh.

Charley handed Nemo's leash to her. "Let's take a walk."

They strolled leisurely down the paved park trail, golden leaves drifting down from the canopy above.

"I'm not a kid anymore," Lavinia grumbled playfully.

"Adults can be kids sometimes, and kids often have to be adults," he replied simply.

Lavinia took it and bit into the sugary fluff, letting it dissolve into a burst of sweetness on her tongue.

They walked a bit further when Lavinia's phone buzzed. She pulled it out and frowned. It was Florence's number.

Without a second thought, she hit decline.

"Why do you have her number saved?" Charley asked.

Lavinia sighed. "She called me a couple of days ago. I thought it was a delivery driver, so I picked up, and was completely caught off guard."

She paused. "She tried to invite me out to talk, but I made an excuse and turned her down. Now she's calling again. I'm guessing Florence genuinely had no idea her daughter was the other woman. Judging by her reaction at the hospital, she looked horrified."

"You made the right call," Charley said evenly. "Whatever karma Garnett and Sigrid have created for themselves is theirs to unravel."

Lavinia looked up at him, breathing in the fresh air. "Exactly. I'm almost completely free. Whatever happens to Garnett now has absolutely nothing to do with me."