Chapter 1 - The Paperwork of Ruin
The mahogany doors of Courtroom 304 swung shut, sealing out the hum of the hallway. Judge Vance adjusted his spectacles, his eyes skimming the thick stack of papers before him. Gregory sat across the aisle, his designer watch gleaming beneath the harsh fluorescent lights, his hand resting possessively over Ashley’s. Every line of Gregory’s posture radiated victory; he believed he had negotiated a masterclass settlement, leaving Madeline with a modest lump sum while retaining full ownership of Vance-Monroe Logistics and its lucrative expansion contracts.
Madeline sat upright, her hands resting softly over her eight-month bump. Beside her, her attorney, Arthur Pendelton, remained impassive, his fingers resting on the leather-bound file that had remained unopened throughout the proceedings. When Judge Vance asked if both parties were ready to finalize the dissolution, Gregory signed his name with a flourish. Madeline signed hers with steady, unhurried precision.
May you like
As the judge stamped the final decree, Gregory leaned toward Ashley and whispered something that made her giggle. He looked back at Madeline with a look of patronizing pity. "Take care of yourself, Madeline," he said, his voice dripping with condescension. "You can keep the house until the baby arrives."
Madeline picked up her coat. "Keep it, Gregory. You're going to need a place to stay far more than I will."
