Shattered Vows: The Unwanted Wife's Escape

tan law firm offered severe resista

ng in the frigid air before being instantly swall

ing the heavy doors seal shut behind her, cuttin

Her professional smile faltered slightly, re

Mrs. Moran," the rec

. She just gave a tight, mechani

ick, plush carpet of the corridor absorbed the sharp clicks o

the heavy oak door o

sucked in a sharp breath, the air burning her lung

ed the d

blinded her for a moment. When her vision

the far end of the

ost more than most people made in a year. The f

able aura that made the air in

against her ribs, ski

e sharp sting of pain to anchor herself. She forced he

om his chair. He cleared his throat, the soun

said, gesturing to the high-backed lea

the chair out with slow, de

't even lif

ocuments resting on the polished wood in front of him.

rs across the table toward Atha. The cr

division terms," Sterling bega

ouse overlooking Central Park. The staggerin

s printed on the page. Th

l like a settlement. It felt like charity. It felt like h

rough the lawyer's droning

aiden. "Why are you offering this much? It's

inally l

ozen winter sky. They sliced th

mpletely devoid of emotion, a pure, transactional baritone.

er chest like a

s. Under the table, her fingers curled into

ust a bad investmen

of her throat down. The corners of her mouth

s," she

up the heavy Montblanc pen r

t read the rest of the clauses

k paper was deafening in the quiet room. She

mero. N

of papers back across the table toward S

ic furrow appeared between his brows, but it vanished as q

wn and slowly, methodicall

k the Patek Philippe watch on his wrist. The subt

ne dripping with a patronizing edge, "we sho

. She wanted to throw the he

e was destroying her. She tilted her chin

er voice steady. "S

of the conferenc

or banks. The physical distance between them w

chimed. The d

x. The air grew instantly thick, heavy with the scen

ground floor felt

lobby. The soft ding s

utside the glass doors, holding a mas

ng rain. He ducked under the umbrella and

ked back. No

der the narrow awni

to the chaotic Manhattan traffic until t

d up in the center of her che