2: Gifting The Divorce Papers.
(Cassie’s POV)
My phone buzzed and my heart raced when I saw Max’s name flashing across the screen. It had been weeks since what happened in his study, yet every call from him still sent a ripple of unease through my chest.
I hesitated before answering. “Hello.”
“Cassie, it’s me,” Max‘ s smooth voice sounded. “I have a surprise for you. tonight. It’s our wedding anniversary, remember? I’ve arranged a party to celebrate. The driver will pick you up at 8.”
“Hmm,” I muttered, my tone flat and detached. I ended the call without saying goodbye.
The man sitting across from me cleared his throat. “Are you certain about this, Mrs. Cornell?”
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2: Gifting The Divorce Papers.
My lawyer’s expression was unreadable, his pen hovering above the dotted line on the divorce papers.
I opened my mouth to respond, but my phone beeped again. A notification. I instinctively reached for it, my pulse quickening.
It was a post from Violet‘ s Instagram.
My thumb hovered over the screen, dread building as I tapped the notification. The photo loaded slowly, my breath catching in my throat.
There they were–Max and Violet–sitting at an intimate table by the window of an upscale restaurant. A fresh bouquet of white roses lay on the table between them, identical to the ones Max used to bring
home to me.
I let out a breath, my chest heaving up and down.
“Mrs. Cornell?” My lawyer‘ s voice brought me back.
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I placed the phone face down on the table, the faint sound of my nails tapping against the wood filling the silence. My lips curled into a faint smile, though it didn’t reach my eyes.
“Let’s do it,” I said firmly, my voice steady.
“Excuse me?”
“The divorce papers.” I pushed them toward him, my grip tightening on the edges. “I want them finalized as soon as possible and sent to him.”
The lawyer gave me a careful look before. nodding. “I’ll start the process right away.”
The Cassie of yesterday, the one who clung desperately to hope and love, was gone. She’d been replaced by someone who refused to be the fool any longer.
***
The car rolled to a stop outside the grand
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estate, and I sat motionless for a moment, staring at the glittering lights cascading from the windows. Laughter and faint music filled the air.
The driver opened the door, and I stepped out, smoothing my dress. Inside, the room buzzed with familiar faces and warm chatter. Max spotted me immediately. His grin spread wide as he crossed the room in a few strides, pulling me into his arms.
“Cassie,” he murmured, his voice dripping with charm. “You‘ re finally here.”
My body stiffened in his embrace, but I managed a faint smile for the audience. watching us.
“Aww, look at them,” one of our friends. teased. “Still so clingy after all these years!”
Another chimed in, “Seriously, you two are the perfect couple. What’s the
secret?”
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The laughter swirled around me, but my
heart felt like it was sinking further into my chest.
We were once clingy? That’s true, I thought bitterly, my gaze darting to the polished floors. My smile faltered, but I quickly recovered, nodding politely.
My mind betrayed me, dragging me back to the moment everything changed.
It had all started when Violet returned and
Max was excited he’d been to reconnect,
how often her name slipped into
conversations.
Then came the late nights. Excuses about work trips and sudden meetings. I tried to believe him, clinging to hope that I was overthinking.
But the truth hit hard when someone sent
me intimate photos of Max anonymously. That’s when I knew Max betrayed me.
I had stared at the images in disbelief, my hands trembling. Max and Violet, locked in
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an intimate embrace, their faces glowing with laughter in the dim lighting of a hotel
room.
My heart shattered as I realized I couldn’t doubt it any longer: Max had betrayed me.
The memory left a bitter taste in my mouth
as I stood now, surrounded by friends who believed in our illusion of perfection.
Max s hand was on my waist as he led me to a corner. His touch made me feel
uncomfortable.
“Here, take this,” Max beamed a smile as
he handed me a small velvet box. “A gift.” He added as he placed it in my
hands
I opened it and stared at the glittering diamond necklace placed inside.
It was a very expensive necklace, the kind of gift Max thought could fix anything.
“Do you like it?” he asked, his eyes scanning my face for approval.
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I forced a polite smile, letting my fingers brush over the cool gemstones. “It’s beautiful.” I said softly as I held the box.
He leaned in closer, lowering his voice. “I know I’ve been distracted lately, but this is to remind you of how much you mean to me. Cassie.”
I didn’t respond. Instead, I reached into my purse and pulled out a carefully wrapped box, tied with a satin ribbon.
“I have a gift for you too.” I said, handing it to him.
Max’s face lit up with curiosity as he turned the box over in his hands. “You didn’t have to, Cassie. What is it? My favorite sneakers? A new watch? A tie?”
I gave him a small smile. “Patience, Max. Open it in a week. Trust me, you’ll love it.”
His brows furrowed in confusion, but he nodded. tucking the box under his arm.
“You‘ re mysterious tonight.”
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I smiled and Max excused himself to join a group of business partners. I stood there, watching him laugh and charm the crowd like the perfect husband.
He would definitely love this gift, I thought, my lips curving into a sly smile. After all, it was the divorce papers neatly tucked into that box. Now, the lovebirds could finally be together without me standing in their
way.
I turned, ready to leave the party, when a hushed conversation caught my attention.
“I swear, it’s so cheap,” Violet’s voice rang out from a corner of the room, dripping with disdain. “That necklace was nothing special. My boyfriend gave me something much better.”
