The Divorce She Demanded

ollowed Sarah

to his broth

be so unde

She was tired o

Jessica Evans was there, a guest pres

ning against the back wall in his civilia

ght of Sarah, gave a

muttered to Sarah, as if explaining his presence

voice louder, for public consum

proached Sarah, a cup of l

"Mark told me you were so gracious about the Chicago opportunity. It

a hand on S

iffened.

, Mark joined them, his arm go

ca appreciates it. Some people understand what it means t

s clear. Sarah was

r rose in Sarah, bu

as the

her voice flat. "Fa

ved Jessica's h

and walked away, leav

home, trying to grade pa

a small, brigh

that look on his face – the pr

le too casually. "I was t

urse

, with everything. Trying to get her career back on trac

ed with

ve much... nice things. For interviews

r pen still pois

nt. "Your grandmother's jewelry. The pearl necklace, the earring

grandmother's pearls. Her o

her's jewelry to Jessica?" she a

needs it more right now. It would mean a lot to

ctually

e could build more steam. "Absolutely not.

It's just jewelry. Jessica is struggling. It's a

s. "What about that? Those pearls are all I have from

, worn down by his accusations of pettiness, she'd gi

ry about things like that!" Mark said, his voice booming wi

All

apartment after he'd left her

voice firm, unyielding. "T

Jessica my next few drill checks. She needs the hel

to guilt her w

chips from the counter on his way, the crinkli

o stop him. She kn

sica, bought Jessica a car, paid for Leo's private school,

preventable illness because she couldn't afford proper care. He ha

rovider, not really. He

in her mouth. She pushed her

s later. Sarah was in bed

ide her, the m

" he wh

dn't r

he... she said I was being too harsh abo

gh she kept her back to him. Jessica, the peace

Chicago job falling through for her," Mark continu

mered. He listened to

birthday's next week, right? I'll get y

f, smooth things over, prob

ce him in the dim light f

oice devoid of any warm