Divorce.
Plaintiff.
Cecily Montgomery.
My name is there too. But everything blurs. I forget to breathe.
Divorce?
No.
“Mr. Montgomery?”
The voice sounds distant, barely registering.
“Colin?”
This time, there’s a firm hand on my arm.
My vision steadies just enough to see Margaret standing in front of me. When I glance around, I realize the investor and his team are lingering by the elevator. Many of them watching me, confusion and discomfort etched across their faces.
The corridor won’t stop spinning.
“Call—call one of the company chauffeurs,” I manage to say, my voice rough, barely audible.
“You don’t look well, are you sure—”
“Now, Margaret.” This time, my voice is tight, controlled.
I can’t waste a second.I have to fix this.
Chapter 08
December
the choices he made
Cecily
“Did Margaret confirm he hasn't left the meeting?”
I look up to see Mark walking into the kitchen just as I hang up the phone after talking to my lawyer.
“Yes,” I say softly. “And I already called my lawyer. She said the process server’s in position, ready to deliver the papers.”
The ache in my chest tightens.Will this feeling ever fade?
The day I met with my lawyer for the first time, right after Thanksgiving, I couldn’t stop shaking. Somewhere between her explaining all the steps and listing the documents I’d need, I started to hyperventilate. What her paralegal immediately recognized as a panic attack. She'd been through one herself before and knew exactly what to do. She helped me breathe through it, one shaky inhale at a time.
It was one of the worst feelings I’ve ever experienced. All I could think was thatI was going to die… and who would take care of my children if I did.
I rub my chest now, as if I can still feel that day, the same helplessness clawing at my ribs.
“Hey, are you okay?” Mark asks, touching my arm.
I smile at him, asking him not to worry, and walk over to the fridge to pour myself a glass of water.
“So you went with the boring option. Just handing him an envelope?” Mark teases, a crooked smile tugging at his mouth. “No singing telegram? No cheerleader in the lobby spelling out C-H-E-A-T-E-R with a full-on dance routine?”
