Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 11 - Chapitre 20

By the next morning, the story had spread.Seraphina didn't even have to search for it.The headlines found her first.Her phone buzzed nonstop as news alerts appeared one after another.Business Leader Fights to Save His Marriage.Sources Say Evan Wright Refuses to Give Up on His Wife.Marriage in Crisis After Private Disagreement.She stared at the screen in disbelief.A private disagreement.That was what eight years of lies had become.Diana walked into the kitchen carrying a plate of toast."You've seen it?"Seraphina slid the phone across the table.Diana read the headline before rolling her eyes."He works fast.""He always has."Diana looked at another article."They're calling him devoted."Seraphina laughed quietly."That's a new one.""They're saying you left without giving him a chance to explain.""I gave him eight years."Diana reached across the table and squeezed her hand."I know."Seraphina smiled faintly."But the rest of the world doesn't."*******At one part of t

Julian didn't speak until they reached the parking garage.Margaret unlocked the car with her key fob and turned to both of them."We're not talking here."Julian nodded once."Agreed."They got into the car without another word.The drive back to Margaret's office was quiet.Seraphina sat in the back seat, replaying Lydia's words over and over again."You're walking into something far bigger than your divorce."She looked at Julian through the rearview mirror.His eyes were fixed on the road ahead.He hadn't said a single word since they left the courthouse.Whatever Lydia had meant...He already knew.The moment they entered Margaret's office, Seraphina closed the door behind them.She didn't sit down.She looked directly at Julian."What didn't she want me to know?"Julian loosened his tie."It isn't that simple.""No."She folded her arms."It actually is."Margaret quietly placed her files on the desk."Julian..."He raised a hand."I know."He looked at Seraphina."I was plannin

Evan stood perfectly still.It lasted only a second.Then the calm expression returned to his face as if it had never left."What did Lydia tell you?"Seraphina looked at him quietly."You should ask her.""I asked you.""And I answered."His jaw tightened.For years, she had watched Evan control every conversation he entered.He chose the questions.He decided when discussions ended.He always had the final word.Today...None of that was happening."You've changed," he said."No.""I've finally stopped trying to please you."The words landed harder than she expected.For a brief moment, she thought she saw regret in his eyes.Then it disappeared."You think Julian is your ally.""I think that's none of your business.""He'll use you.""So did you."Silence.The receptionist looked down at her computer, pretending not to listen.Two security guards exchanged uncomfortable glances.The lobby suddenly felt very small.Evan lowered his voice."Come home.""There is no home.""There is."

Saturday morning arrived with clear blue skies.Seraphina stood in front of her wardrobe longer than she expected.She reached for a pair of black heels before remembering Julian's last message.Don't wear heels. There'll be a lot of walking.A smile tugged at her lips.She put them back and chose a pair of white sneakers instead.Diana appeared at the bedroom door."So, you're actually going."Seraphina picked up her handbag."It's just a walk.""Mmm.""It is."Diana folded her arms."I didn't say anything.""You were thinking it.""I was."Seraphina laughed."I'll be back before lunch."Diana grinned."Take your time."*********The botanical garden was already alive when Seraphina arrived.Children chased butterflies across the grass.Couples walked hand in hand beneath rows of flowering trees.Birds sang from the branches overhead.For the first time in weeks...She forgot about courtrooms.She forgot about lawyers.She even forgot about Evan.Julian stood near the entrance, weari

The headlines refused to disappear.Three days had passed, yet every business magazine and entertainment page still carried the same photographs.Some called them friends.Others called them lovers.A few simply called them a mystery.Seraphina had stopped reading the comments.There was no point.People believed whatever story entertained them the most.********Monday morning arrived with another message from Margaret.“Come to my office at two. There's something you need to sign”.Seraphina replied with a simple Okay before putting her phone away.She had just finished breakfast when Diana walked into the kitchen."You look tired.""I didn't sleep much.""The articles?"Seraphina nodded."I kept wondering if this was my life now."Diana poured herself a cup of coffee."It won't always be.""It feels like it will."Diana smiled."My grandmother used to say storms make the most noise before they disappear."Seraphina laughed softly."You and your grandmother.""She was usually right.