All Chapters of Divorcing my dead sister’s husband : Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Like an open wound, the memory of Alex's words continued to haunt me."Who the hell do you think you are?" he had shouted, his face inches from mine. "You dare to press for a divorce?"I'd backed against the wall, my hands trembling. "I can't do this anymore, Alex.""You think I like being with you?" His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "Sam is the reason I'm doing any of this."He stormed out, leaving me alone with tears streaming down my face as his footsteps echoed through the hallway.I slid down to the floor, hugging my knees to my chest. Five years ago, I'd married Alex believing I could make it work for Sam's sake. I'd convinced myself Alex would eventually love me, that we could become a real family.What a fool I'd been.---The fluorescent lights of the bakery buzzed overhead, intensifying my headache. I stood staring at Sam's favorite strawberry cake."Can I help you?" The woman behind the counter pulled me from my thoughts."This strawberry cake," I said, pointing. "I

I flushed the toilet and slumped against the bathroom wall, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. Morning sickness without the pregnancy was another cruel reminder of what I'd lost. My doctor had warned Me about this, how My body might still think it was pregnant for a while. The physical symptoms linger as unwelcome ghosts.A sharp knock rattled the bathroom door. "Dani? You've been in there twenty minutes. You okay?""Fine, Janet ." I splashed cold water on my face, avoiding my reflection. "Just give me a minute."When I emerged, Janet was setting breakfast on the coffee table. The smell of toast turned my stomach, but the sight of Janet’s worried face was worse. She'd been staying over three nights a week since the hospital."You need to eat something," Janet insisted, pushing a plate toward her. "Doctor's orders.""I'm not hungry." I sank onto the couch, pulling my knees to my chest."Tough. Eat anyway."I picked up a piece of toast and nibbled the corner without tasting it. M

I stare at my reflection in the elevator's mirrored wall, barely recognizing the woman looking back at me. My eyes have changed, a wariness that wasn't there before Alex pushed me down those stairs. My hand absently touches my stomach, still flat, still empty."Sixth floor," I whisper to myself, adjusting the collar of my navy blazer. The one Janet insisted I buy yesterday, saying I needed something that made me feel powerful.The elevator dings, and I take a deep breath as the doors slide open. The Prism Marketing group spreads before me, open-concept with glass-walled offices lining the perimeter. People bustle between desks, coffee cups in hand, laughter punctuating the low hum of productivity. It feels like stepping into a world where terrible things don't happen, where husbands don't push their wives downstairs and babies don't die before they're born."You must be Daniela." A young woman with a bright smile approaches. "I'm Zoe, office manager and your designated welcome wagon."

The conference room feels different at 9 p.m.During business hours, it's all polished mahogany and power plays, but now with the overhead lights dimmed and desktop lamps casting warm pools across scattered papers, it feels almost intimate. I've been staring at the same marketing projection for twenty minutes, the numbers blurring while the last Horizon staff filtered out for the night.Everyone except Thomas and me."Earth to Daniela." Thomas waves a hand in front of my face, breaking my trance. "You've been looking at that same page since Zoe left."I blink hard. "Sorry. Brain fog.""It's nearly nine." He leans back in his chair, loosening his blue tie. "We can pick this up tomorrow.""I'm fine." The words come out automatically, the same way they do when the physical therapist asks if the stretch hurts too much. "We need to finish the preliminary deck before the client meeting."Thomas studies me with those thoughtful gray eyes that seem to catch everything. "The meeting isn't for

Thomas understands immediately. He takes the bag and passes it to Zoe. Dispose of this. Preferably in another building's trash."Zoe nods, disappearing with the unwanted gift."What else?" Thomas asks."I need..." My voice cracks. "I need to know my divorce is really final.""We'll call your lawyer today," he promises. "From my office, where it's private."I nod, trying to regain composure as my colleagues steal glances in my direction."I'm so embarrassed," I whisper."Don't be." Thomas's voice is firm. "You did nothing wrong."Everyone saw. They'll think I'm—""They'll think you handled an uncomfortable situation with dignity," he interrupts. "And they'll respect your privacy because I'll make it crystal clear that's what's expected."His certainty steadies me. I take a deep breath, then another."Can you stand?" he asks.I nod, rising on shaky legs. Thomas guides me toward his office, hand hovering near my elbow but not touching me, still respecting my boundaries even now.Once ins