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Keep walking.

A few last steps to go.

And finally, I’m inside the conference room, which is as spacious and luxurious as everything is inside the country club. My lawyer, Fredericka Grachyov, is already there. She’s a lovely gray-eyed redhead, and depending on who you’re speaking to, people may recognize her as the cherished wife of Russian billionaire Sergei Grachyov…but on the other hand, she’s famous as well for being the legal counsel of high-profile clients such as the Emir Sheikh of Ramil and Reid Chalkias, the Prince of Darkness himself.

And now, there’s me. The least impressive of her clients, and even worse for her, I can’t afford her fees either. I was very honest about that when I gave Fredericka a call and told her I needed someone to represent me. But she still said yes, and I’m so, so glad and grateful that she did. It just means so much, knowing she’s on my side, and it’s what gives me the courage to finally face the men standing on the other side of the room.

Adriano Kontides, Ruel’s lawyer, is another familiar sight. He’s a billionaire in his own right, and like Fredericka and Sergei, he knows who I am and how I ended up married to Ruel. He’s always been gentle and nice whenever we get to talk, but now that we’re on opposing sides of divorce proceedings?

It has me bracing myself for the worst, in case I find any semblance of hostility in his gaze. He has every reason to think I’m a burden to his client since that’s exactly what I am. But when I finally find the courage to meet his gaze⁠—

Oh.

Adriano’s eyes are somber but still kind, and that has me taking quick, shallow breaths.

Don’t cry, don’t cry!

But when I finally muster the courage to look at Ruel⁠—

Oh no.

It’s even harder to keep my tears from falling. I wish I could say that knowing we’re about to be divorced is more than enough to change how I see him. But it’s not. He’s still the most beautiful man in my eyes. Still the most honorable.

And that’s why you’re here, I remind myself fiercely.

I can’t let my own feelings mess this up.

I need to let him go.

It’s the least I can do, after everything he’s done to keep me alive.

“Shall we begin?” Fredericka’s tone is brisk and efficient, and I tell myself that’s something I can focus on for the rest of the meeting.

Efficient.

Because the sooner we’re done here, the better.

The men wait until we’re seated on one side of the table before taking their seats on the other side. Ruel’s knees bump into mine, and the contact makes me jerk in my seat, but his expression remains unchanging.

Fredericka and Adriano begin to talk. The first part is easy to follow. It’s all about non-disclosure, which I’m quite familiar with. I signed an NDA before we married, and so it kinda makes sense that we need another NDA to end it.

But after that, well…

I do my best to concentrate, and I don’t want to sound like I’m making excuses or anything, but…I’m really not the smart and bookish type. They’re using so many big words that it’s all I can do to keep my eyes from glazing over, and⁠—

Oops!

I only realize I’ve almost fallen asleep when I find myself nodding off, and of course it just has to be Ruel who catches this⁠—

I see it in the way his eyes gleam, and I’m about to make a face when⁠—

No, no, no!

I can’t believe I almost let myself forget what we’re here for in the first place.

You’re about to get divorced, Kar!

And so I simply sit up straight and try one more time to concentrate. I’ll focus on what I understand and just make a note of what I don’t⁠—