Chapter 22
FLORENCE’S DOV
With every tear, I should have felt lighter. But an unbearable weight on my head and heart made it impossible for me to even breathe, let alone feel anything else. The divorce papers felt like lead In my hands as I silently rocked back and forth, sobbing on the couch next to my father’s hospital bed.
How did I end up here?
Five years of marriage. Five years of waiting, of trying, of hoping. And now, just like that… it was over.
Since childhood, Mason had been the center of my world. I had shaped my dreams, my choices, my whole life. And now that he was gone, the void left behind felt strange and unsettling. I hated myself for sniffing over an ended marriage when I had so much to be thankful for… a second chance at my job, and my father finally out of prison.
So why did I still feel so hollow?
Unwelcome thoughts intruded into my mind. I imagined Mason sitting with Jade, laughing at me. Finally freely enjoying their time together as lovers and old friends.
I wanted to throw up.
I glanced at my father, lying unconscious in the hospital bed.
No. This is for the best.
The blackmail by Marco would finally stop. Jade would no longer try to kill me. And Mason- well, he really got everything he wanted in the end!
I pulled up Clarke’s number and called him.
He picked up on the second ring. “Flo?”
I took a breath. “I did it. He signed the papers. We have no family ties anymore.”
“God, you make it sound so final.”
I laughed. “What did you expect from me?”
“I don’t know. But it’s for the best, Flo. You have your father back, you have a job. You’ll be good.”
I wiped away my tears. “Yeah. Thanks, Clarke.”
Hours later, after I’d had another nap and watched the nurses administer my father more medication, my phone buzzed. It was my group chat with Raiden and Annalise.
Raiden: F, I just saw the news, wth is going on!?
Annalise: I saw the comments… are you okay??
The comments were the least of my problems. But at least my friends would be happy about one thing…
I snapped a photo of my divorce papers and sent it to the group with the text, “Don’t worry. This will shut them up!”
The chat went silent for a bit. And then….
Chapter 22
Annalise: Flo. What. The. Hell???????
Raiden: Is that real!? You actually did it??
Me: It’s done. Official as of last night.
Silence again.
Annalise: Okay, send us your location, we’re coming over. Noww
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Forty minutes later, Raiden and Florence walked into my father’s hospital suite.
“Well, at least they’re taking good care of him. It’s the least those Whitehills can do.” Annalise commented.
“Yeah, Flo, I’m sorry. How is he?” Raiden asked.
“Stable…” I said. “For now. It’s really up in the air. But I’m not taking a break from work, Raiden, I will bring my laptop here and keep working-”
“Flo, are you crazy? A divorce and your dad in the hospital, and you think I’ll make you work?” he asked. “Just tell me what you need to cover the medical bills and it’s done.”
I shook my head. “Clarke… Mason’s older brother… he has it all covered. He got him this suite and everything so…. it’s okay. And Raiden, I can pay you back for the money you lent me earlier.”
Raiden scoffed. “I don’t want your money.”
I gave him a look. “Raiden-”
“I won’t hear it. I don’t want your money, but I’ll consider your debt paid if you go on a date with me. Since you’re divorced now,” he winked at me with a boyish grin.
“Raiden, this isn’t the time for jokes.”
“Who said I was joking?”
Annalise rolled her eyes. “Hey boss? Read the room.”
“Fine, fine,” Raiden muttered, holding up his hands in surrender. Then his gaze turned serious. “But listen, if you need anything–anything at all–you tell me, okay?”
I hesitated, Raiden had always been a flirt, but underneath, he had a good heart.
“Thanks,” I said quietly.
Raiden dropped me to my apartment to pick up a change of clothes. It was probably time I got my y own car… I couldn’t keep relying on people to drive me around.
While I waited for my dryer to finish, I stretched out on my bed and picked up my phone. And, as per usual, I was greeted by terrible comments on social media.
“Mason Whitehill was married for FIVE YEARS and hid it?? Red flag. What else is he hiding?”
an wanting his
So he kept Florence a secret while parading around with Jade? Sounds like a classic case of a man cake and eating it too.
“Flo’s dad’s a scammer, and now she’s acting like she’s not one too? Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
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Chapter 22
“Jade really popped up after YEARS of being ‘dead‘ and started acting like the math character. Girl, sit down.”
“She’s so fake. She’s been moving like Mason’s wife this whole time, and now we know why.”
I locked my phone and tossed it aside. No one deserved this not me, not Mason, not my father… not even Jade. We were all thrown into an impossible situation orchestrated by our parents. All I really wanted was for the rumors to end so I could lead a normal life.
Away from Mason. Far away from Jade.
Once I was back in his car, he helped me draft a response and post It to my socials.
“To all speculating about my marriage to Mason Whitehill we have divorced amicably, and I wish him nothing but the best. Please don’t spread hate. Let’s move on.”
Simple. Direct. No drama.
Raiden clicked Post.
I exhaled. “Hopefully, that stops the worst of it.”
Annalise laughed from the backseat. “Oh, honey. The internet never stops. That’s why you need a distraction.”
“What kind of distraction?” I asked warily.
“A trip. Let’s go somewhere. Somewhere fun. Just the three of us!”
Raiden’s eyes lit up at the suggestion. And 1 had to admit….it was exactly the thing I needed.
But I had to be there for my father. And… there was work.
“We still have work for Eternity, and cleaning up the PR mess.”
Annalise groaned. “Flo, stop working for your ex–husband”
“It’s business.”
“It’s self–destruction.”
I smiled. “I just announced to the world the divorce was amicable. If I step back now, I will look like a liar.”
Annalise had to agree. She sighed and let it go as they dropped me back to the hospital..
But… there was a deeper reason. I couldn’t go on vacation while someone out there was actively trying to ruin me, Mason, and my family.
Someone was behind all of this–the articles, the rumors,
the
leaks.
I was going to find out who had been orchestrating my downfall.
And when I did…
I’d make sure they regretted it.
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