Simon signed with a flourish, his signature the same confident scrawl it had always been. He slid the documents to Charlie.
“You know what to do with them,” Simon said. “File them with the court, wait for the judge to sign off, and we’ll be officially done within a few weeks.”
Charlie nodded, tucking the papers into her briefcase. “I’ll file them this afternoon. You should receive confirmation within ten business days.”
“Good,” Simon said. Then he turned to Holly with an expression she couldn’t quite read. “Holly, could I have a moment alone with you?”
Holly felt panic flutter in her chest. She glanced at Charlie, who gave her hand a reassuring squeeze under the table.
“I’ll be in the booth over there,” Charlie said, gesturing to a spot across the café. “Out of earshot but not out of eyesight.”
She looked directly at Simon, her voice dropping to something harder. “And Holly, just indicate if you need me to come over.”
“I’ll be fine,” Holly assured her sister, though the last time they’d been here together, Charlie had practically had to restrain Holly from wanting to hit Simon.
Charlie gathered her things and moved to the other booth, leaving Holly alone with her soon-to-be ex-husband.
“How are you, Holly?” Simon asked, his voice softer than it had beenmoments before.
Holly raised her eyebrows. “Very well. Is this what you wanted to talk about alone? My well-being?”
“I...” Simon’s jaw clenched. “I just wanted to know you were okay.”
“No,” Holly corrected him bluntly. “You wanted to know if I was falling apart and struggling without you.”
Simon started to protest, but Holly held up her hand.
“Well, Simon, I’m more than fine. I’m happy,” Holly told him honestly. “In fact, I should thank you and Terry, because if you two hadn’t torn our family apart, I would never have come here. Trinity would have just continued to go through the motions, and Gabe would still be running from his past.”
“Holly—” Simon tried to interrupt, but she stopped him.
“No, you asked how we were, and I’m telling you,” Holly said, unable to hold back any longer. “Since we’ve been here, Trinity is thriving. She’s come alive again in ways I haven’t seen since before Abi died. Gabe is happier than I’ve seen him in six years. He’s finally dealing with his grief instead of burying it in dangerous missions. Even Charlie has found her place, found someone who makes her light up. Christopher, you know your godson, he also found his person here. So, we are all thriving.”
Holly paused, thinking of Jack and feeling warmth spread through her chest.
“And me?” Holly continued, her voice softening. “I feel like our life together was a bad dream that I’ve finally woken up from.Like I’ve stepped right into the middle of the life I was always supposed to have.”
Simon looked like she had struck him physically. The color drained from his face, and for a moment, Holly almost felt sorry for him. Almost.
“I... I’m glad, Holly,” Simon said finally, his voice tight. “That actually makes what I want to tell you easier.”
He cleared his throat. “Terry and I are engaged. We’re getting married next summer.”
Holly stared at him for a long moment, processing this information. She waited for hurt to come, for some spark of jealousy or regret. But all she felt was a mild sense of vindication.
“Congratulations, Simon,” Holly said sincerely. “If ever there were two people meant for each other, it’s you and Terry.”
Simon took it as a compliment, smiling slightly. “Thank you. I appreciate that.”
Holly didn’t bother correcting him.
“Listen, about the Christmas Inn,” Simon said, leaning forward slightly. “If you care so much about the Christmas family, you’ll talk them into taking the offer I’ve sent through. Even with this mystery benefactor currently keeping them afloat, they don’t stand a chance against my clients. Victor Martin always getswhat he wants.”
“Oh, you’ll be surprised,” Charlie’s voice came from beside the table. She had appeared silently, her briefcase in hand. “Sorry to interrupt this little chat, but I have to go, Holly. We have things to do.”
Holly nodded, relieved. She stood up and looked down at Simon. “Thank you for finally signing the divorce papers. And I hope you and Terry are very happy together.”
“Wait, Holly, about Gabe...” Simon tried to squeeze her for information about his son’s new relationship. “Trinity sent me some photos. He and Jane look quite close. Is that serious?”
