Chapter 3

Chapter 3

The next morning, her phone woke her up at seven. It was not her alarm.

It was a call from a number she did not recognize. She almost ignored it, but something made her pick up.

“Hello?” Lillian answered grudgingly.

“Lillian Harper?” The female voice was almost too calm.

“Yes. Who is this?”

There was a short pause and then, “It’s Vanessa Clarke, Nathaniel's current girlfriend.”

Lillian’s whole body went still. Of all the things she had expected this morning; her mother calling her for breakfast, maybe a follow-up from Nathaniel’s lawyers, this was not it.

Lillian sat up slowly, her fingers tightening around the phone. “How did you get this number?” She asked.

“That doesn’t matter,” Vanessa said. “I think we need to talk.”

“I have nothing to say to you.”

“Maybe not,” Vanessa replied. “But I have something to say to you. Something important. Something that will make this easier for both of us.”

Lillian laughed, but it came out hollow. “Nathaniel told you already?”

“He told me last night when he came to my apartment,” Vanessa said in a pleasant tone. “He told me everything. About the divorce and how he wants to move on. And I think you should too.”

Lillian’s expression hardened. “Excuse me?”

“I know how this sounds,” Vanessa continued quickly. “But listen to me before you respond. Holding on to him right now won’t change anything. He has already made up his mind, Lillian.”

“He is still my husband,” Lillian said. “Even though he doesn't want me.”

“And that is exactly why you should let him go with dignity,” Vanessa said. “Dragging this out will only hurt you more. You deserve better than begging for a man who has already walked away.”

Lillian pushed herself out of bed and walked to the window, her pulse beginning to pound. “If you called to lecture me—”

“I called to offer you a way out,” Vanessa cut in, her voice was softer now. “No unnecessary drama, no long and exhausting legal battles back and forth. Just a quiet ending where everything is settled smoothly… and you can finally have some peace.”

Lillian frowned. “What are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about you signing the papers,” Vanessa said. “Sign them and walk away before this turns uglier than it already is.”

“And why do you care?” Lillian asked sharply.

“Because I don’t want this to become a fight,” Vanessa replied. “Nathaniel doesn’t either. And honestly neither should you.” A pause followed, then Vanessa added, “I’m willing to make it worth your while.”

Lillian went still. “What does that mean?”

Vanessa said. “You don’t have to leave empty-handed. I know what you’ve invested in that marriage, the years, the hard work, and the pain. That deserves compensation.”

Lillian let out a disbelieving laugh. “You think you can buy me off?”

“I think I can make this easier for you,” Vanessa said calmly. “$50,000. Enough for you to start over comfortably.”

“You are unbelievable,” Lillian said.

“I’m being realistic,” Vanessa replied. “Nathaniel has already moved on. As you can see, he is with me now and we plan to get married. The only thing standing in our way is you”

Lillian pressed her hand against the wall, her grip tightening. “And you think I haven't moved on?”

“No,” Vanessa said. “We both know you haven't, which explains why you have refused to sign the divorce papers.”

Silence stretched between them.

Vanessa continued almost persuasively. “Think about it. You don’t have to see Nathaniel again. You don’t have to hear about me. You can close this chapter completely and start fresh, on your own terms.”

Lillian said nothing still.

“I’m not asking you to like me,” Vanessa added. “I’m asking you to be smart. Sign the papers. Take what you deserve. And leave him alone.”

“Goodbye and don't you dare contact this number again,” Lillian said softly and ended the call.

She stood in her old bedroom for a full minute, staring at the blank screen of her phone. Then she went downstairs.

Her mother was already at the kitchen table with toast and eggs. She looked up when Lillian walked in and immediately read her face.

“Good morning, sweety,” Margaret said. “Why is your face like that?”

“Vanessa called me,” Lillian said.

Her mother set down her fork. “Vanessa Clarke called you? This morning?”

“Yes.” Lillian pulled out a chair and sat down heavily. She repeated everything Vanessa had said, word for word.

Margaret listened without interrupting. When Lillian finished, her mother was quiet for a moment.

“Do you want to sign the papers?” Margaret asked.

Lillian rubbed her temples. “I don’t know, Mama. I genuinely don’t know.”

“What if Nathaniel changes his mind—”

“It doesn’t matter if he changed his mind,” Lillian said firmly. She surprised herself with how steady her voice was. “He told me he never loved me. Those were his exact words. You don’t say that to someone and then expect them to wait around.”

Margaret nodded slowly.

“I am not signing those papers yet,” Lillian continued. “Not because I want him back. I need time to think clearly. Without him. Without Vanessa. Without any of it.”

Her mother reached across the table and squeezed her hand. “Okay, sweety. You've got all the time you need.”

Just then, the doorbell rang.

Margaret frowned and said. “I am not expecting anyone.”

She stood and walked to the door. Lillian stayed at the kitchen table, staring at her untouched plate.

She heard the door open. Then her mother’s surprised voice. “Nathaniel.”

Lillian’s head snapped up.

“Mrs. Harper.” Nathaniel’s voice came clearly through the hallway. “I apologize for coming without notice. I need to speak with Lillian,” he said. “Please,” he added.

Lillian stood up slowly from the table. She walked to the kitchen doorway and stopped when she saw him.

Nathaniel Brooks stood at the front door looking nothing like the powerful, cold man who had slammed divorce papers on a table the night before. His shirt was slightly wrinkled and his eyes looked tired, as if he had not slept at all.

Nathaniel looked at her across the hallway. “Lillian,” he said quietly. “Please can we talk?”

Lillian held his gaze and said nothing for a long moment. Then she replied, “You have five minutes.”