on the counter were

rs. Each time, it was after a night like this one, a night where M

to tiny pieces, scattering them over the floor for

light a cigar on the balcony, blowing the smoke i

ith a red pen, adding a note at the

it would end the same way. The papers were a symbol of a rebellion

suit, looking completely unfazed. The party, the humiliation

rty was a huge success. Raised a lot of goodwill for the foundation

ink, staring at the documents he had discarded. He was already spinnin

it all up for him. I managed our homes, organized his life, and hosted these endless parties, all so

s time had to

ling a suitcase from the top of the close

u think you'

s leaning against the doo

leaving

u going to go, Ava? Back to your gambling father? Or your crippled brother? The

did. My family was my weak spot, and he kn

o the floor. I opened it and started throwing m

not your

ng the space, suffocating me. He grabbed th

We have the charity gala on Fr

g roles," I said,

he snarled, his face close to mine. His charm

ker of defiance, and his expression

w. "Let' s talk about being done. Remember that little problem we had five y

left m

appy. Mark was just starting to get major funding for his tech startup. He said a baby

ere. He held my hand in the waiting room, not for comfort, but to make

was nev

"Crying about how your career was just as important. Don' t pretend you' re some k

s, but not because of my career. I had cried for the child I would never have, for the choi

n on my face and knew he

tie, his composure

ding tone. "Let' s be reasonable. I know you' re upset.

ook from his jacke

All of it. We' ll call it an anniversary present. And in return, you' ll forget this little divorce fantasy, you' ll b

t was for a staggering amount, enough to free my father

blackmail. It was a p

to help with before, a problem that kept me tied to him,

d softly. "It' s the sm

cage closing in, the bars cold and unyielding. The hope I had felt

trembling hand a

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