The next day, Jon's lawyer brought the new agreement. I didn't even bother to look at it before signing.

The lawyer urged me to review it carefully, but I scoffed, "There's nothing worth reviewing. Just tell Jon that I'll be at the Civil Affairs Bureau in a month—no delays."

The lawyer nodded and left.

By now, everyone in the New York business circle knew about Jon and me. Over the years, the company's legal team had grown used to our constant battles; they probably saw this outcome coming a long time ago.

Caroline was originally Jon's secretary, and that's how their affair began. It was a scandal that utterly humiliated me in the company, and from that point on, Jon and I were irreparably broken.

Even though we hadn't divorced yet, we fought daily at work.

It was time to end it.

With a bitter chuckle, I packed my things, listed the house for sale, and returned to my hometown with my luggage.

Jon didn't want me to stay in New York, and honestly, neither did I.

For the last part of my life, I wanted to be home.

When I arrived in Seattle, I was in a trance as I looked at my old home, which had changed drastically.

It had been ten years since I last returned.

I visited the familiar cemetery.

"Grandpa, Grandma, Mom, Dad... I'm home."

Jon was right—I was an orphan, and that's why I clung to him like a lifeline, desperately holding on.

I sat by their graves, rambling to the headstones, "I've bought a plot here for myself too. I've missed you all... and it's pretty nice here…"

My parents died in an accident when I was very young, and soon after I started college, my grandparents passed away one after the other. I buried them all together so it would be easier to pay my respects.

After sitting for a while, I felt a chill in my legs. Winter had already settled in, and a light snow was falling, freezing my toes.

"I'm leaving now. Mom, Dad, Grandpa, Grandma… we'll be together again soon. We can talk more then. I've got plenty of complaints about Jon and how he's treated me all these years..."

I stood up, brushed the snow from my clothes, and turned to leave.

When I returned from the cemetery to the city, it happened to be the time when school let out. I glanced out the car window at Seattle High and asked the driver to stop. After paying, I got out and walked toward the school.

A group of bright, youthful students streamed out, laughing in small groups. Parents were lined up at the entrance, waiting. I stood there for a moment, then made my way inside.

The security guard stopped me. "You look unfamiliar. Are you a parent?"

I smiled. "I graduated from this school. I'm just visiting since I'm back in town."

"Oh?"

"If you don't believe me, you can call Mrs. Taylor, the one who teaches senior physics—Mrs. Taylor."

The security guard actually did call Mrs. Taylor. After I spoke with her briefly, he let me in.

I strolled slowly through the campus, memories flooding my mind as I recognized the familiar surroundings.

Some students were sweeping the grounds, while a boy threw a snowball into a girl's jacket, prompting her to chase him around several times with a broom.

I watched them with a smile, as if seeing myself back in those days... and Jon too.

Before I knew it, I had wandered to the teaching building. I found the entrance to Class 6, Grade 12, just like I remembered, on the second floor. The classroom was empty. I turned the door handle, and it wasn't locked.

I unscrewed the classroom door and lifted my step.

I counted the desks and found my old seat. As I sat down, I realized how little the room had changed, and for a moment, it felt like I was back in my senior year.

I leaned forward, resting my head on my arms, and closed my eyes, silently counting down, "Three, two, one."

That was my summoning spell in school. Every time I counted down to one, Jon would walk through the classroom door, a bright smile on his handsome face, reaching out to me, "Rachel, time to go home, lazy kitty."

The golden light of the setting sun would bathe him, making him look like something out of a dream.

"Three, two, one."

I opened my eyes, and the vision dissolved like a bubble, vanishing in an instant.

I let out a bitter laugh, stood up, and walked toward the door.

Walking to the door, I pulled on the handle and took one last look at the classroom, as if I could see the me of that year smiling and placing my hand into Jon's, saying yes with a flutter.

I snorted and simply pulled the door shut, locking everything behind it.

The past was over.