CH.104

Their unhurried stroll led them towards the nearby shoreline, where the rhythmic lapping of waves against the sandy beach seemed like a calming backdrop to the heaviness of the conversation to come.

They both stopped at the short stone wall that bounded the beach and stared out over the beautiful water for a while without saying anything.

Karl finally turned his face towards Lavinia's familiar profile with sadness etched into his chiseled features.

"You know something is coming, don't you?" he asked in a low tone that broke the stillness between them, his words laced with meaning.

Lavinia turned to face him then.

"I still hope for your forgiveness someday, Lavinia," he said with a strength forged by the fires of his suffering.

Even after everything, Lavinia couldn't quite extinguish the small flicker of love for the man who had once been her universe.

"Don't worry, I have agreed to the divorce,” he stated.

The words sent a shockwave through Lavinia's being that left he