After the Last Tear: Rising from the Ashes of a Broken Marriage By Cassila K

Chapter 2

Early the following morning, when she descended the staircase, only to catch Alistair by the front door, car keys in hand.

She paused mid-step, a flicker of surprise crossing her face. "Isn't today your day off. Where are you going?"

"Taking Vivian to her ultrasound scan." he replied without a hint of remorse or discretion.

She watched his Bentley disappear down the driveway, unable to suppress a bitter smile that twisted her lips.

After Alistair leaving, Elaine quietly finished her breakfast and left the house herself.

Her car cut through Manhattan traffic with practiced efficiency, quickly arriving at the sleek downtown offices of Davidson & Partners. The attorney was waiting, leather portfolio already open on the conference table.

"After both parties signed, you can get the divorce certificate after sixty days." Davidson explained, sliding the documents toward her.

Elaine examined the papers and nodded decisively. "Well. I'll have Alistair sign it and return them today."

When she returned to the estate later that afternoon, she heard unusual commotion before even entering. Pushing open the front door, she discovered not only Alistair in the living room, but Vivian as well.

luggage upstairs. Before she could process the scene, Alistair's voice cut through her confusion,

flatly. "She'll be staying here for a while. Just bear with it, and as compensation, I'll grant you any

reached into her bag and

sign this document," she said, watching his

couldn't predict

Vivian pressed against his side, effectively blocking his view. "Alistair, darling," she purred, "the

was merely a credit authorization. Vivian's interruption erased

a second glance, then casually handed the papers

just get it. If you need

that, he carried Vivian upstairs, leaving Elaine alone with

signed so

all, he had never loved her. Their marriage had been nothing but a convenient solution to family

that day forward,

and weapon,

When Elaine came downstairs, she discovered her carefully cultivated roses brutally uprooted,

things made me unhappy, so I had