Chapter 14: Severed Ties

As Flora walked into the lawyer’s office – Henry’s lawyer’s office – she felt a sense of assurance wash over her. This was it, the final step in ending her marriage. She was ready for this to happen, prepared.

The lawyer, a kind-faced woman named Sarah, greeted her warmly and led her to a conference room. She’d met Sarah several times during office holiday parties and when the woman had come to drop off some urgent paper work for Henry. She was comforted by the sympathy in the woman’s eyes.

“Are you ready to do this?” Sarah asked gently.

Flora nodded, taking a deep breath. “Yes, let's get this over with.”

Just then, the door opened, and her husband, Henry, walked in, followed by Olivia. Flora felt a surge of anger and betrayal, but tried to keep her emotions in check.

Olivia smiled sweetly at her, but there was a hint of hostility in her eyes. She had inherited her mother’s beady thin eyes and mean disposition. It was a no surprise. “Hel