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.

she could process the scene, Alistair's voice cut

staying here for a while. Just bear with it, and as compensation, I'll grant you

into her bag and extracted the divorce papers, opening

said, watching his face carefully, her heart racing

couldn't predict his

took the papers, but before he could examine them, Vivian pressed against his side, effectively blocking his view. "Alistair,

it was merely a credit authorization. Vivian's interruption erased any

second glance, then casually handed

If you need more

he carried Vivian upstairs, leaving Elaine alone

it when he discovered he'd signed so carelessly was actually

he had never loved her. Their marriage had been nothing

and from that day forward, peace abandoned the household

and

decimated the garden. When Elaine came downstairs, she discovered her carefully cultivated

happiness comes first," Vivian announced, "and those ugly things made me unhappy, so I had them removed. You're not upset, are you,