The Last Time I Cried Your Name novel Chapter 289

Once these two big issues were settled, she could finally leave.

Under her baseball cap, her dark brown eyes flickered with determination. Spreading the ashes really was her way of saying goodbye to Cabinda for good, with nothing left to tie her down.

As they strolled side by side, Malcom typed out a message on his phone. Are you still thinking about that foreign correspondent job in Everell?

Petty shook her head, her tone laced with regret. “I was taken off the list. I can't go anymore. I’m planning to move somewhere new. Start over from scratch.”

Malcom’s hand clenched a little tighter around his phone.

Petty didn’t pick up on it. She just went on, “I used to have people holding things over me. Now I've tied up those loose ends, so leaving should be easier.”

She sniffed and kept her gaze down for a second. “Being controlled by someone… it’s honestly the worst.”

She raised her head and drew a deep breath. “Life is just better out there in the world.”

Malcom didn’t say anything. After a moment, he held his phone up for her to see. Got any idea where you want to go yet?

Petty thought about it, then shook her head. “Nope, nothing set in stone. Probably somewhere overseas, though.”

His brows dipped. Still thinking about being a war correspondent?

Petty was a little shocked he remembered. Her dream of being a war correspondent wasn’t exactly something she talked about every day.

“Maybe,” she admitted. The truth was she hadn't really decided.

Malcom typed again. Alright. Just let me know when you’re leaving. I’ll send you off.

Petty smiled at that. “You’ve got a million things on your plate. I bet when it’s time for me to go, you’ll be away on another mission anyway. Don’t worry about it. We’re friends. Friends don’t have to be formal like that.”

Honestly, she was planning to slip away quietly. She might not even clue Hans in.

Malcom showed her his screen again. Even if I can’t see you off, at least let me know.

She thought back over the time she’d spent with Malcom. This guy who always seemed distant and sharp-tongued had slowly started to let his guard down. She nodded. “Okay. I promise I’ll tell you.”

The clerk was focused on the monitor, fingers flying over the keyboard as she put Petty’s information into the system.

“Huh?” The clerk frowned, picked up Petty’s documents, then tried entering the details again.

After a bit, the clerk turned to her with a puzzled look. “Petty, this is odd. The system doesn’t show any marriage record for you.”

Petty blinked in surprise, but she didn’t let it get to her. She just said, “Could you try once more? I really am married.”

Even though the clerk had double-checked already, she turned back to the computer and entered it all again.

Still, nothing came up.

“Please wait here.” She gathered up Petty’s papers and hurried off to a back office.

After a few minutes, she returned to the window, leaned in, and handed the marriage certificate and other forms back.

“Petty, you were never actually registered as married. This certificate isn’t valid.”