Chapter 6 - A Clean Break
Two weeks later, the final papers were executed inside a private room at the county courthouse.
Silas Vance, stripped of his title, his executive suite, and his reputation, sat across from Wren with a team of court-appointed public defenders. His former high-priced corporate attorneys had abandoned him the moment his personal assets were frozen by federal prosecutors.
Odalys was already being held without bail, facing charges of felony assault, corporate espionage, and evidence tampering relating to the incident at St. Jude’s Hospital.
Wren looked radiant, her health fully restored after days of quiet rest at her father's spacious country home outside the city. She signed the final line of the divorce decree with a smooth, steady stroke of her pen, officially dissolving her marriage and reclaiming her maiden name: Wren Osei.
The court officer stamped the documents with a heavy red seal.
"The marriage between Silas Vance and Wren Osei is hereby legally dissolved," the judge announced, reviewing the agreement. "Full legal and physical custody of the unborn child is granted exclusively to the mother, with no visitation rights granted to the father pending the outcome of his criminal trial."
Silas sat motionless, refusing to look up as Wren stood up, supported by her father.
"Silas," Wren said softly as she passed his chair.
He flinched slightly, looking up at her with hollow, tired eyes.
May you like
"I used to think you were a visionary," she said, her tone devoid of hatred or anger—only a profound, calm detachment. "But you were just a middleman selling other people's brilliance. I hope you find something genuine to build while you serve your time."
She didn't wait for a response. She walked out of the courtroom, holding her father's arm, her head held high as news photographers flashed their lights in the grand marble hallway outside.
