[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322A01459-500":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},500,7,"Chapter 7: The Signature Beneath the Third Wish","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I have no idea how I actually made it back to the house.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Along the way, a sudden clarity washed over me.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I finally understood the divide between love, mere habit, and the stubborn obsession born from pride.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I had made peace with myself.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I sat on the doorstep, clutching Seven to my chest, and rubbed my face against his soft head. \"Want to go to the Southside with me, Seven?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Seven nuzzled my chin and let out a soft meow.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">It almost felt like he was really answering me.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">My phone buzzed. Fletcher had sent over a few photos.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Serenity, this guy is a hand-picked stunner.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Rich, gorgeous—what do you think?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I couldn't help but laugh; he was actually serious about setting me up.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I texted back: \"He is handsome.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The door clicked open. Desmond was home.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I forced a bright smile. \"Can we stop the cold war? Brother?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I hadn't called him that since the day we married.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Desmond froze, his hand mid-motion as he reached for his coat.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">After a long beat, he walked over and ruffled my hair. \"Sure.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Do you remember?\" I looked up at him. \"Last year, when you were abroad for my birthday, you said you owed me three wishes?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He smiled down at me. \"Whatever you want. Name them.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"The first wish,\" I said, hugging Seven tighter. \"From today on, he belongs to me alone. Do you agree?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The smile on Desmond's face faltered for a second, then snapped back into place.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Fine. He is yours.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He paused, his gaze darkening. \"He won't ever be taken from you again.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I nodded and pulled out the divorce papers I had prepared.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"The second wish—let’s get a divorce.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I know what you are worried about. We can keep it from your parents for now.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I wasn't asking for a settlement. The Knight family had already given me more than I could ever repay.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The smile bled from Desmond’s face until nothing was left.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He stayed silent for a long time—so long that the light outside bled into complete darkness.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Finally, he didn't say a word. He simply picked up the pen and scrawled his signature at the bottom of the page.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"And the third wish?\" His voice sounded raspy.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"The third wish...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">My words were cut off by the sudden, sharp ringing of my phone.\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272915878]