Chapter 7
After a week abroad, Dad called asking if I wanted to come home.
I’d gone overseas to unwind precisely to avoid worrying him, but how could a father remain oblivious when his daughter faced such turmoil?
Dad told me New York had formed a neurology team urgently needing talents like me, hoping I’d return for the op- portunity.
Staring at the shimmering lake before me, I realized it was time to move forward.
That same night, I flew back to New York. All those years I’d wasted settling in Washington for William-time I’d never reclaim.
Tearfully clutching my hand, Dad murmured, “Sweetie, you’ve gotten so thin.”
Long-absent warmth flooded my heart as I shook my
“Dad, nothing’s hard as long as you’re here.”
head.
With his connections, I swiftly joined the neurology team. He even assigned a senior colleague to mentor me, acceler- ating my onboarding.
A month vanished like smoke. While working late in the lab, my phone reminded me of tomorrow’s divorce appoint-
ment.
Resigned, I booked the dawn flight. Without even going home, I dashed to the airport and returned to Washington.
I arrived punctually at the Civil Registry Office, dusty from travel. After waiting ages, William finally showed up late with Shirley and her mother.
The trio dressed to impress, his mother radiating schadenfreude.
True to form, she preened at my haggard appearance and simple clothes.
“Diana, seems life’s treated you poorly since leaving William.”
“Too late for regrets now.”
I stifled a laugh, ignored her, and entered first.
William followed, hesitating before blurting, “Diana, if you change your mind now, we can forget this ever hap- pened.”
“I promised Shirley I wouldn’t refuse if you initiated the divorce. You know how hard it was for her to give our fami- ly a son…”
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Chapter 7
XENONTERES
“If you stay, you’ll always be my wife. This month… I’ve missed you, I—”
“Shut it!” I cut him off coldly. “Have some dignity. Hurry up-I’ve got things to do.”
William fell silent, scowling. Certain I was struggling, pity flickered in his eyes-briefly.
Watching me sign the papers briskly, his anger flared. My indifference left no room for courtesy.
I couldn’t care less. The moment the divorce certificate landed in my hand, relief washed over me.
Sauntering to his mother and Shirley, I smiled. “Oh, by the way-I’ve listed the house. It’ll sell by month’s end. Move out promptly.”
“What?” His mother stamped her foot. “That’s my son’s house! Who gave you the right to sell?!”
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