Chapter 4

Gavin’s hand on my shoulder still carried a faint warmth, but the grip felt like a heavy shackle.

"A peaceful divorce," I repeated the words, my gaze shifting from his suit cuff to Melanie’s victorious face. "And if I don't sign?"

"Valerie, don't play the pathetic, bitter wife and make this harder on yourself," Melanie said, taking an elegant sip of her iced Americano, her tone corporate and detached.

"The indictment paperwork and the custody lawsuit are sitting on my laptop right now. The moment I hit send, the lead partner of the most influential architecture firm in Texas becomes…