Chapter 7: Decree and Departure

At that moment, a message arrived in layers:

"Court order is here!"

I was stunned—not knowing if it was Aunt Carol’s decree or Mark’s filing. My phone buzzed in my hand, the screen lighting up with official notification.

Mark hurried over, grabbed my hand, and pulled me to the front porch. The hot summer air hit my face, humid and thick.

"Come with me, listen up, and don’t make a scene!"

Carter and Brooke ran over happily.

"Miss Lane is going to be our official mom!"

I was dragged by Mark to stand at the door. The neighbors’ American flags fluttered lazily from their porches. A neighbor peeked through their blinds, and a dog barked in the distance as the process server saw everyone was present and read out the court order:

[From this day forward, Shannon Harris and Mark Harris are divorced! The marital assets and gifts are to be divided according to law, with no disputes! Hereafter, each may marry as they wish, and have nothing to do with each other.]

The words echoed in the summer heat, final and inescapable. I squared my shoulders, the summer sun blazing on my skin. For the first time in years, I had no idea what came next—and that was terrifying, but maybe, just maybe, it was hope.