Chapter 7: The Divorce Papers
The divorce papers arrived at Victor’s hotel at 4:30 p.m. via courier.
He was sitting on the edge of the bed, staring at his phone, when the knock came. Olivia had left two hours earlier after another argument. She said she needed space. Victor knew she was probably trying to save herself.
He signed for the envelope and tore it open.
Inside were the divorce documents, thick and formal. There was also a letter from Margaret Hale outlining the proposed division of assets. The terms were brutal. Claire was asking for full ownership of the marital home, the majority of their investment accounts, and a significant portion of the company shares. She was also requesting that Victor cover all legal fees and any penalties resulting from the federal investigation.
At the bottom of the letter was one final line:
Mrs. Langley has instructed us to inform you that she will not be negotiating these terms. This is her final offer.
Victor sat on the bed for a long time, the papers scattered around him. His hands were shaking.
He had spent months planning how to leave Claire with as little as possible. He had moved money, created backup plans, and even rehearsed what he would say when she eventually found out. He had been so certain she would cry, beg, or fall apart.
Instead, she had been waiting.
Victor picked up his phone and called her again. This time, he did not expect her to answer. He just needed to hear her voice, even if it was only her voicemail.
The call went straight to voicemail.
He threw the phone across the room. It hit the wall and cracked.
For the first time since he walked out of their house at 2:18 a.m., Victor Langley felt afraid.
Not because he might lose money.
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Because he was finally beginning to understand that Claire had never been the woman he thought she was.
And now she held every card.
