Divorce: The Only Way Out

unch party was a du

be the culmination of years of work, the peak of my ambition. But my eyes weren't on the invest

a contract, she had looked at me, really looked at me, and said we could start a family. Hope, some

e doors

ut she wasn't alone. Beside her, with his hand resting pos

art s

en abroad for years, a ghost from her past. Now, he was here, in the flesh, and Olivia was smiling at

glass of champagne growing warm in my hand. I watc

ected figure

t being pr

o show hi

just talking, they were a unit. He would lean in to whisper something in her ear, and she would laugh, tilting her head back. It was an intimacy that scre

his voice loud over the music. "Ethan, man, you look

lt like cracking glass.

the bartender, then hand a glass of wine to Olivia. She took it with a grateful nod, her finger

s face, the easy familiarity that I had spent three years desperately trying to

cold. I remembered how I had to practically beg for a simple hug, a moment of her attention. I had fought for every inch of affe

, choking me. I started walking toward them, my steps unsteady. I needed to

voice hoarse when I

aw my face. "Ethan. There you are. This is Dr. Marc

ndescending smirk playing on his lips. "Ah, the boy genius," he said, his voice smooth and p

en us. He was belittling me, my work, m

ight lights, the smug look on Marcus's face-it all swirled together. My chest felt tight, and

e sounded distant, a fl

with false concern. "Is he alright, Olivia? He looks

to look at me, but the world went black. As I collapsed,

books and light perfume, filled my senses. But it was tainted. Underneath it, I could s