The Twin's Last Martian Wish

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still trembled slightly as I clutched the divorce papers, now retrieved from the chaise lounge where Clayton had carelessly tossed the

oken, fragile. But I wasn'

e furnace of my anger. I had to get this done.

ps. My small, inconspicuous SUV, a stark contrast to Clayton's fleet of luxury vehicles,

"You promised me, Clayton! You promised you'

out the sharp edge of his tone. "Gisele,

ng a phone to his ear. When he saw me, his eyes widened slig

beside him, cracking my window just enough for him to hear me. "Gisele's

ting dramatically at Clayton. "I'll tell the world everything, you hear

e, his need for control, his ca

, my voice flat. "He'll give her what s

in a gesture of surrender, his face a mask of weary exasperation. "Fine, Gisele.

le. She threw her arms around his neck, planting a loud, smacking kiss on hi

nly a quiet affirmation that my predict

Clayton, his arm still around a beaming Gisele, saw me. His eyes, just moment

umphant smile faltered, replaced by a sneer. "Oh, look. The li

s Clayton, my footsteps measured and d

nt to end this. Fine." He snatched the pen from my hand with a swift, angr

s hand trembled slightly, not from hesitation, but from a barely

le divorce." He leaned in, his voice low and menacing. "Don't think for a second this means

ary separation. A cooling-off period. When you realize what you've

g-off period? He truly believed I was playing some kind of intricate g

table, my focus entirely on the legal document that

voice. I didn't wait for his reply. I didn't care

ng me walk away. He didn't call out. He didn't cha

as I reached my car. His expression was a mixture of shock and reluctant admiratio

next for Ada Mcfadden?" He offered a small, hesitant smile. "Dinner?

up the divorce papers, then gently touched the locket benea

ning understanding in his eyes. A wistful smile

spered, my voice t

ready for takeoff. A text message vibrated

ing to contact me. This is for your own good. I'll be in touch when you come to your senses.

r way to assert his superiority, to ensure I knew my place. A "small apartment in London" was his idea of a handout

l into the center console. I would not carry Julian's ashes in a locket designed for a woman. Julian deserved better. I would ca

ite behind. The city lights blurred as I accelerated onto the highway, heading towards the airport, to