She Turned Her Grief Into Wings novel Chapter 66

She honestly couldn't remember.

She even wondered if she had expected too much from him.

From beginning to end, he had clearly remembered that this marriage was nothing more than a transaction. She was the one who had caught feelings, falling deeper with every shared moment and every night spent in the same bed.

He had played by the rules. She was the one who broke them. She wasn't sure if she should blame Caden for being too cold, or blame herself for being too foolish.

The morning breeze was crisp, lightly catching the hem of Shera's dress.

A young couple had also arrived early. Dressed in matching outfits and holding a bouquet, they posed joyfully for photos in front of the building's sign.

Their radiant happiness was contagious. Watching them laugh, Shera felt the corners of her lips curve upward.

*They probably couldn't sleep last night either,* she thought.

At her feet rested a small tote bag. Inside were the divorce papers, their marriage license, and a square, black velvet box.

Shera reached in and pulled it out. She popped the lid, revealing a massive, dazzling diamond ring—a stunning piece that Caden had personally selected.

She pinched the ring between her fingers, hovering it over her ring finger. Her mind drifted back to their wedding three years ago, remembering the exact moment he had slid it onto her hand.

He had been so incredibly gentle, almost reverent.

She had no idea what Caden had been thinking back then. All she knew was that when she had looked into his eyes, her heart had unmistakably skipped a beat.

Staring at the ring now, her expression was complicated. A heavy, indescribable emotion settled in her chest.

It felt like a daze, a deep sense of loss, or perhaps something else entirely.

It was like finally closing a book you've been reading for a long time. You always knew how it was going to end, but the texture and warmth of the pages still lingered on your fingertips.

She wasn't mourning the marriage; she was mourning the bright, hopeful version of herself she used to be.

Lowering her eyes, she rubbed her thumb over the diamond one last time before placing it back in the box and snapping the lid shut.

Their eyes met. In unspoken agreement, neither said a word.

Caden watched her, his gaze lingering on her face.

She wore no makeup today. Her hair flowed softly down her back. Dressed in a simple white dress paired with a light beige cardigan, she looked strikingly serene.

For a brief moment, he felt completely transported back to three years ago, right when they had come here to get their marriage license.

Right on cue, the doors to City Hall opened. As people began trickling inside, Caden stepped forward.

"How long have you been waiting?" he asked.

"Not long."

They were impeccably polite and painfully distant, exactly as they had been on the day they first met.