Chapter 7: Dissolution

Author's Note: I took some liberties with the actual process outlined here to make it more dramatic. At some point, I had to question my conscience as I wrote this, because it saddened even me, but I do plan on ending this story on a positive note, so hang in there!


I did the minimal amount of necessary chores before meeting Sebastian outside of Mayor Lewis's Manor a half-hour late. He was pacing back and forth while smoking a cigarette.

"I thought you quit smoking," I stated matter-of-factly.

"You're not the only one who's about to get their old life back." He didn't even look up at me. I waited in silence for him to finish before we entered the house together.

Lewis seemed to know by our solemn expressions the reason we were there. That, or Sebastian had informed him of our predicament the night before. "Are you two sure that you want to do this?"

I looked over at Sebastian, who stared at Lewis with unwavering resolve. "It's better this way."

Lewis turned to me. "And you?"

Honestly, I didn't know what I wanted at that moment, other than to go back to the beginning of summer, when there was no doubt in my mind that Sebastian's heart was mine alone. I glanced over at Sebastian again. For someone who swears fidelity, he sure is in a hurry to get out of this relationship. I became angry again. "Yes. Let's do this."

Lewis opened up a small record book and turned to the third page. On it, I could make out Robin's signature next to that of an unfamiliar man. Sebastian must have seen it, too, because his hateful countenance softened into sadness. I instinctively reached out a hand to comfort him, but he pushed it away.

Sebastian leaned forward to grab the book. "Got a pen?" he asked, turning it around.

Lewis put his hand over the open pages. "First, there's a fee of 50,000 gold. For processing and such."

Sebastian looked up at me expectantly. I scowled at him. "Of course you want me to do it," I snapped as I reached into my pocket for my wallet.

"I'll pay you back if it's that important to you," he snarled contemptuously. "I don't want to owe you anything."

"Don't bother." I slammed the money down next to Lewis's hand. Lewis carefully collected and counted the money I had given him.

"Okay, then." Lewis handed Sebastian the pen he had requested. Sebastian quickly scrawled his signature directly under his mother's, then passed the book and the pen to me. I carefully signed my name on the line and returned both the pen and the book to Lewis.

Lewis called us to attention. "By my power as Mayor of Pelican Town, I officially declare this marriage dissolved." He looked at us sadly. "I wish you both luck in your new lives."

Sebastian and I both returned to the farm – he to clear out his belongings, I to continue my responsibilities. We both finished our respective tasks around ten in the evening, and I approached Sebastian one last time.

"Where are you going to go?"

"Back to my mom's, of course. Demetrius won't like it, but I don't care if he hates me." He took a deep breath. "I'd rather hear it from him everyday than you."

"I don't hate you, Sebastian." I moved closer to him, expecting him to step away from me, but instead he reached out and pulled me into an embrace. I could feel his body shaking, as though he was moments away from breaking down.

"I'm sorry I couldn't be what you wanted," he whispered.

I said nothing as he pulled away without looking at me. He took the last of his personal artifacts as he exited the house, and I collapsed into a sobbing mess on the floor as the door clicked shut behind him.