Divorce, Rebirth, and Sweet Success

, their mouths slightly agape. The confidence they had j

or some other business. "What's the mandatory c

hirty days, Mrs. Savage. But you can withdraw t

h. The lawyer' s words seemed to restore their arro

ndescending look returned to his face. "Thirty days, Car

, Mom. You'll come crawling back in

t of me, the part that had loved them for so long

ed softly. "The moment

cold laugh. "We'l

scent I once found intoxicating, now just smelled of de

n, and the corner of his mouth lifted in a real smile. It was

ice instantly warm. "Heidi?

nt Heidi sick?" he asked, his vo

rds the door. "She's not feeling w

duo, leaving me standing alone in the foye

childish, ugly face at me. "I hope we never see

hoing in the silent house. The last of my war

the things that were truly mine before August. The art history b

s chosen for political functions, at the shelves of books on policy and history I'd

m

ut it all off," I told the stylist, pointing to my lo

hair was a chic, short bob that framed my face, maki

I'd always secretly admired but never dared to wear, clothe

dress, I barely recognized myself. I was no longer a

-starred restaurant, a place August an

g led to my t

y looked like a happy family out for a celebratory dinner.

chest. I tried to turn away

y spotted me. Her polite smile faltered for a secon

e. Their jaws dropped. They stare

din demanded, his voice accus

. "I'm having dinner.

the performer, quickly got up and took my arm. "Carolynn

ing, why don't you get Carolynn a menu? I'm sure she's hungry." She then a

This was her table, her din

confusion in his eyes. "Carolynn

. He had no idea what my favorite food was. I had spent countless hours learning his pref

"Dad, don't worry about her.

most expensive items on the menu: the lobster,

elief. "Where did you get the money f

ne days. As the wife of a senator, I believe I have a right to a portion of our assets. F

ed. "What are you pl

m not playing at anything, August. I'm just having d