Chapter 18
The contract for the Evening Breeze villa was signed the very next day.
But just like Kayla had said, now that the cooling–off period was over, it was time to head back to Jolsa and make her divorce official.
She requested a three–day leave from Luke and caught the next flight to Jolsa.
This time, she wasn’t just there to finalize her divorce. There was something else–something much more joyful.
Sarah had given birth to a baby girl.
Kayla brought a pair of gold bangles and a lucky charm as gifts and headed straight to the postpartum recovery center the moment she landed.
The moment she saw that tiny, rosy baby, Kayla’s eyes welled up without warning, and tears started rolling down her face.
Sarah noticed it and chuckled. “Why are you crying? You didn’t even have to go through labor. You’re getting all the joy with none of the pain.”
But the second the words left her mouth, Sarah regretted them.
How could she forget? Kayla had suffered too–a dangerous ectopic pregnancy that happened not that long ago. She’d nearly died.
Feeling guilty, Sarah scrambled to change the subject. “How’ve you been, Kayla? Are you still with Jonah?”
Kayla took a moment to collect herself and gave a small smile, shaking her head. “No. I came back this time just to finalize everything.”
“Well, as long as you’re sure. Kayla, you’re beautiful and talented. You’ve got everything going for you. No reason to stay stuck on one man. If Jonah didn’t know how to cherish you, then let him regret it for the rest of his life.”
Sarah still hadn’t forgiven him for the way he’d acted at the hospital, forcing Kayla to apologize to Lily as if Kayla was the one in the wrong.
Any man who’d throw his own wife under the bus to protect another woman didn’t deserve forgiveness.
They had heard that Jonah wasn’t doing well lately, but honestly, he didn’t deserve anyone’s sympathy.
“I don’t know if he regrets it,” Kayla said calmly. “But I know I don’t.”
Because the baby and Sarah needed to rest, Kayla didn’t stay long.
But just as she stepped out of the building, she saw someone, disheveled and breathless, rushing toward her. It was Jonah.
Lucas Miller, Sarah’s husband, followed her out and scratched his head sheepishly. “Sorry, Kayla. I told him you were back. I thought you two should talk.
“It’s okay,” she said. After all, she was planning to see him, so doing it sooner or later didn’t make much of a difference.
Jonah shot Lucas a gratefui look before standing in front of Kayla, clearly nervous.
It had been a month, and Kayla looked healthier than ever. The glow was back in her skin, and her energy was restored.
Jonah, on the other hand, was visibly worn down. He’d lost weight, and exhaustion clung to him like a shadow. Still, the quiet, refined aura of a university professor still clung to him.
“Have you eaten yet?” he asked. There were so many things he wanted to say, but this wasn’t the place.
“Not yet. Let’s go together I’m craving that little barbecue place near your campus,” she said.
“Okay.”
The second she agreed to having a meal together, a light flickered in Jonah’s eyes–something he hadn’t felt in weeks.
They said goodbye to Lucas and got in Jonah’s car.
Kayla’s favorite foods were spread out an hour later in front of them.
She dug in with enthusiasm, clearly delighted by the familiar flavors.
Jonah, however, didn’t touch his food. He just wanted to look at Kayla a little longer. He missed her more than he could say.
“Why aren’t you eating?” she asked.
“I’m not hungry.”
Are you free tomorrow?”
That one simple question drained the color from Jonah’s face.
‘Kayla, I was wrong to leave that day without a word. But I promise you–if you give me the chance, I’ll never walk away again.”
jonali knew exactly what he’d done, and he wasn’t going to drag Lily and Sally into it as an excuse. His mistakes were his own, and he had to own up to them.
3
