Chapter 2

Cassidy tightened the belt of my silk robe, the silk clinging to her unfamiliar curves. My robe.

She looked up. Her eyes widened, a flicker of surprise, then something colder. "Eleanor? What are you doing here?"

Her voice was laced with an artificial sweetness. It grated against my ears.

"You look...different," she said, her gaze raking over my tailored suit. "Trying to copy me now?"

I didn't answer. I just walked past her. Each step was deliberate. I walked towards Cedric.

He was sitting at the kitchen island, scrolling through his phone. He looked up, his eyes meeting mine. His jaw dropped.

"Eleanor?" He stared at me, then at Cassidy. His confusion was almost comical.

Then his face hardened. "What is this, a costume? Trying to play a joke?" His tone was dismissive.

"No joke, Cedric." My voice was steady. "This is me."

I turned to Cassidy. "Why are you in my robe? In my house? In my bedroom?"

Cedric slammed his phone down. "Eleanor, don't be dramatic. She stayed over. We were working late."

He glanced at Cassidy with a soft smile. "Cassidy, are you ready for your vacation to Aruba next month? The one I arranged for you?"

Cassidy beamed, ignoring me. "Oh, yes! I can't wait! And the 'Desert Eagle' operation? Are we still on for that?"

Cedric nodded, his attention fully on her. "Of course. It's crucial. Don't worry, honey. Eleanor will understand." He looked at me, a condescending smirk on his face. "She always does, right, Ella? The strong, silent type."

I already knew what he was going to say. I could almost hear the echo of his words before he spoke them.

I pulled a sleek, embossed folder from my bag. I placed it gently on the counter between us.

Divorce papers.

I turned and walked to the front door. The cool metal of the doorknob felt good in my hand.

"Eleanor! Where are you going?" Cedric's voice was sharp. Filled with disbelief.

I paused, my hand still on the doorknob. "To make this official."

He laughed, a harsh, humorless sound. "You can't leave, Eleanor. You have nothing without me. You'll be back by dinner."

Cassidy stepped forward, a triumphant smirk on her face. "Some women need a man to feel complete. Not all of us are like that." She looked at me, her eyes challenging. "Some of us are strong, independent."

I let out a cold, humorless laugh. I glanced at them. Cedric was already pouring a bowl of soup for Cassidy. He blew on it gently, then handed it to her.

He then ladled soup into another bowl. He pushed it towards me without looking. "Here, Eleanor. Eat something."

I pushed the soup away. It sloshed over the rim. "Keep it. Both of you." My voice was a whisper, but it cut through the air.

I was about to utter the words that would sever us forever.

The house shook. A violent tremor. The soup bowl crashed to the floor.