n Re

ulder. Her lips moved, forming silent

u l

y oak doors thudded shut behind me, shutting out

nthouse. I needed my passpor

other to turn on the lights. I kne

dy. The door was slight

rly. He must have l

lway, my breath hi

e said. It was low, cautious. It was Marcus, his lawyer. "

a scoff. "There won't be a settl

e wall, the cold plaster se

the glug of liquid into a glass. "The calm act? The refusal to pour the drink? I

pretty serio

on me. Emotionally, financially. She's just hurt. I gave her a little les

h turned

the plan?"

when she's desperate, I'll send flowers. Maybe an apology note. I'll arrange an 'accidental' meeting. I'll reel

r my mouth to stop t

k me. He wanted to use my pain as a tool to engine

urrogacy. The public shaming. It

oved a

ng against my ribs. My hands were shakin

I grabbed my suitcase. I pun

he little blue book that

ched

somew

un a

ng casually against the frame. He looked c

d the passport from my han

h the pages dismissively. "You aren't going any

said. My voice w

him. "You need to cool off. Stop this dramatic

ucking the air out of the room. "Stop

bright. He was taking my exit. He

sport on the bed. T

husband anymore.

time in my life,

ung