Chapter 9
The more Caitlin thought about it, the more excited she became–but on the surface, she still wore the same concerned expression as if she were only thinking of him.
To her surprise, Braydon didn’t listen to her this time. Instead, he gently patted her hand to reassure her.
“It’s alright,” he said. “It’s just a small gift.”
He looked at her, voice warm and steady. “Remember what I told you the other day? I’d ask Emma to bring a gift and apologize to you. And if you weren’t satisfied, I’d keep ignoring her until you were. Let’s see if this gift is enough to make you happy.”
As soon as he said that, the guests below began to murmur, all eyes turning curiously toward the stage.
Their social circle was small, and some of them had wives with less- than–stellar reputations. But no matter what happened at home, most men would still protect their wives‘ dignity in public. After all, nobody liked airing their dirty laundry.
This was the first time they’d ever seen someone like Braydon–about to open a gift from his wife that was meant as an apology to another woman, and doing it right in front of everyone.
The photographer, sensing the drama, quickly pointed the camera at the box in Braydon’s hands.
As Braydon slowly lifted the lid, the entire room held its breath.
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Then, the box was fully opened, and what emerged on the screen behind him was a document stamped with the official seal of the courthouse. A finalized divorce agreement.
The room erupted into chaos.
Braydon froze, his hand still in the air. The smile on his face disappeared in an instant.
He hadn’t expected this at all.
It wasn’t just any divorce papers. It was an official, processed, and already finalized document. Which meant Emma had divorced him.
Just like that.
A few of his friends in the audience rushed up to the stage, cheering like it was the best news they’d heard all year.
“Braydon, this is great news! Congrats, man, you’re finally free!”
“Yeah! You finally got rid of that bitch!”
“When you and Caitlin get married, I’m calling dibs on best man!”
Laughing and shoving him playfully, they reached into the box and pulled out the remaining items.
“Whoa, look at this–confirmation of an abortion!”
“Guess she had a shred of decency left. At least she knew how to get rid of the baby. Now you won’t have to waste money raising some bastard!”
“Hahahaha!”
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Their laughter rang loud and unfiltered across the hall, but none of it registered with Braydon. His cars were ringing. It was as if the entire world had gone silent.
The word “abortion” hit him like a punch to the chest. His heart elenched so tightly he could barely breathe.
“Abortion?” His voice trembled. He wasn’t even sure he’d spoken aloud. “Who had an abortion?”
He repeated the question, louder this time.
Everyone thought he was just overwhelmed and quickly handed him the confirmation letter, Emma’s name signed clearly at the bottom.
“Emma! Braydon, look closely!”
“You’re free now, man! Truly free!”
“Congratulations!”
Their voices blended into one big roar–but Braydon no longer heard any of it.
His vision blurred. The room swayed. He felt like the floor beneath him was falling away.
She did it?
Emma terminated the pregnancy?
Did she give up on their child?
He couldn’t accept it. He refused to believe it. That child was something they had waited five long years for. Emma had prayed, iried
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every strange remedy, and suffered through so much just for the chance to become a mother. He had done everything he could too–donating to charities, performing good deeds–just to help them have that miracle.
Why would she give that up now?
“No… No way… That’s not possible…” Braydon murmured, his voice barely audible.
In his mind, he kept seeing her, Emma, with a soft smile, gently caressing her belly. She had looked so full of hope, so ready to welcome new life.
She wanted that baby. How could she have possibly chosen to let it go?
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