Chapter 4The Lace Slip Lie

The reply was instantaneous. A bright red exclamation mark followed by a two-word message.

@UnattainableIdeal: Don't do it!

I raised an eyebrow. He was more stressed than I was.

Why not? he asked.

I gave a dry chuckle, typing quickly. He’s taking another woman to the biggest corporate event of the year. What am I supposed to stay for? To cheer them on?

Silence. A long five minutes passed before a reply came.

@UnattainableIdeal: Maybe he just wants to make you jealous.

He’s hoping you’ll demand to go with him.

I stared at the screen and almost burst out laughing. This person’s reasoning was truly astonishing. To justify this much callous behavior.

I was done debating. I ended the conversation. I'm not going. He can bring the whole staff if he wants. I don't want to see his stone-cold face anyway.

I exited the chat.

Leo’s firm was efficient. The next afternoon, the assistant couriered the package. I tore it open and pulled out the divorce papers. Two copies, all the necessary information filled out. All it needed were Miles’s and my signatures.

I picked up a pen and, with careful, deliberate strokes, signed my name on the line for the wife.

A hollow feeling settled in my chest. Five years. Just like that.

I placed the signed papers prominently on the living room coffee table, packed a small suitcase, and headed to my own place—a pre-nup loft I’d bought before the wedding. I needed a quiet place to contemplate how I would spend the rest of my life after taking half of Miles Thorne’s fortune.