Chapter 4

The sleek office of Eleanor Hayes, my divorce attorney, was a stark contrast to the chaos that had defined my life for so long. As I sat across from her, the gravity of the moment settled within me—a quiet acknowledgment of the end and the beginning. The papers lay before me, a tangible representation of the decision I had made to reclaim my life.

Eleanor, sharp and no-nonsense, guided me through the final steps with a professionalism that was reassuring. "Requesting minimal alimony is a bold move, Olivia," she remarked, her tone devoid of judgment. "Are you sure this is…