Chapter 15 - The Final Hearing
The divorce hearing arrived almost eighteen months after the nursery incident.
Sophie was walking.
Lily was different too.
She entered the courthouse without holding Evelyn's hand.
Bradley agreed to the financial settlement.
Lily retained her inheritance.
The disputed transactions were reversed or compensated under the agreement.
Parenting arrangements remained structured and subject to ongoing review.
When the judge finalized the divorce, Lily closed her eyes.
That was all.
No cheering.
No dramatic speech.
Outside, Bradley waited.
"I hope someday Sophie understands I love her."
Lily answered carefully.
"Then show her."
He nodded.
"And you?"
"What about me?"
"Do you hate me?"
Lily looked at the man she had once believed would grow old beside her.
"No."
Bradley seemed surprised.
May you like
"I don't want to spend that much of my life thinking about you."
Then she walked away.
