Chapter 2
"It's just part of the evaluation. Without this money, your score will only be lower," Bentley said.
For a split second, it felt like my blood ran cold.
"Heartless bastard," I spat.
"Call me whatever you want, just make sure you remember what I told you to do," Bentley replied.
Just before the call ended, Bentley's taunting voice came over the phone.
"Since you think so little of the Gordon Group, stay away from Mollie later. Don't make me despise you even more," Bentley added with a sneer.
The room went quiet again.
I glanced around this house—so familiar, yet so strange.
My marriage, the last eight years, everything I'd lived for.
All of it turned into a cruel joke the second Bentley hung up.
I sat on the living room couch, quietly waiting for Mollie to arrive.
After Bentley played me for a fool, he thought he could just toss me aside without a second thought.
Dream on.
I wasn't about to let this slide.
Soon enough, a steady knock echoed through the apartment.
When I opened the door, Mollie was standing there in a crisp business suit, making my own casual, just-got-home look seem even more sloppy by comparison.
She gave a brief, almost hidden smile—gone in a flash.
"Hello, Ms. Harvey. I'm here to pick up the divorce papers for Mr. Gordon," Mollie said.
I stepped aside and motioned toward the coffee table, letting her grab them herself.
She walked in briskly, picked up the papers, and flipped right to the signature page. When she saw the empty space next to Bentley's signature, she smirked, clearly getting the picture.
"Ms. Harvey, I get your frustration," Mollie said. "Honestly, you really were outstanding these past few years. But the Gordon Group isn't just looking for good. It wants the very best."
She pulled a check out of her bag and laid it gently on top of the divorce papers.
"This is 300 thousand dollars. Bentley's offering this as compensation for the sake of your history together. Don't let your pride get in the way. This money will make things a lot easier for you," Mollie said.
"At least you won't have to..." She shot a pointed look at my dry, brittle hair, then casually ran her fingers through her own silky, shiny locks, a faint fragrance drifting in the air.
"Mommy!" Stephen's joyful cry rang out behind me, and I instinctively turned around.
But he didn't even glance my way. He rushed straight into Mollie's arms, nuzzling her neck and acting all sweet.
He didn't notice me at all, standing there with my heart shattering.
The boy I'd poured eight years of my life into was calling another woman "Mommy" right in front of me, without a hint of hesitation.
"Mommy, you're finally here! Are you really going to take me home now?" Stephen asked.
Mollie tousled his hair with a loving touch.
"Didn't you say you wanted to go skiing in Helvetica? I've already booked the tickets. We can leave tomorrow!" Mollie said.
"Is Daddy coming with us too?" Stephen asked.
"Of course! The whole family has to be together!" Mollie replied.
"Yay! That's awesome, I love you, Mommy!" Stephen cheered.
He planted a big, noisy kiss right on Mollie's cheek.
I was completely lost. I had no idea how to respond.
Staying silent and frozen was the only thing keeping me from falling apart right then.
Mollie met my gaze, then patted Stephen in her arms, speaking to him in a gentle tone.
"Why don't you go back to your room and pack your things, okay? I need to talk to Ms. Harvey for a bit," Mollie said.
Stephen finally acknowledged me with a glance, but quickly looked away.
"No way! The stuff she buys is so cheap and ugly. I don't want any of it! Let's just go, Mommy, I want you to get me new stuff!" Stephen complained.
"Alright, whatever you want," Mollie said.
She turned to me, her smile never fading.
"But first, we have to get what Daddy needs. We can't go until Ms. Harvey signs," Mollie explained.
Stephen spun around and shot me a glare, his cute little face now full of annoyance and disgust.
"What are you waiting for? Just sign it already!" he snapped.
He snatched up the check with his small hand and smacked it against me.
"This is money for you! Not enough? Don't be so greedy! If you keep pestering my mom, you won't get a single cent from me!" Stephen barked.
Pestering his Mom?
I stared at Stephen, who was defending another woman and throwing harsh words at me without a second thought. Then I glanced at Mollie behind him, basking in his affection with a triumphant smile.
My heart turned to ice, bit by bit.
"Alright, I'll sign," I said.
A hint of surprise flashed in Mollie's eyes.
She wasn't surprised that I gave in. What caught her off guard was just how quickly I agreed.
Mollie gave me a wary look, then tentatively said, "Sign the papers and hand over the keys. You're moving out today."
"Fine," I scoffed and looked her straight in the eye.
"Go ahead and wait. I'll pack up and be out of your way soon," I said.