But aside from the very first consultation, where she filled out the paperwork and paid the deposit, she never went back. Not once.
If she hadn't brought it up, I would have almost forgotten.
"So now you're dredging up ancient history?!"
"Fine! You want a divorce? You got one!"
Elaine's face went rigid, fury burning behind her eyes. She flung her hand as she turned to leave, and a bracelet slipped from her wrist, clattering to the floor.
I recognized that bracelet.
It was from Henry Gray. A reward, supposedly, for helping him close a deal.
Over the years, Henry had given her plenty of these "bonus" gifts—luxury brands I'd never even heard of before she started working under him.
Elaine loved every piece. But every time I laid eyes on one, something in my gut twisted.
Every argument we had about it ended the same way: nowhere.
Elaine looked at me with cold indifference, bent down to pick up the bracelet, and said, "Don't come crying to me later, Charles."
The door slammed so hard the windows rattled.
I stared at that door, and it felt like someone had stretched a plastic bag over my face. I couldn't breathe.
I inhaled slowly, walked out to the balcony, and made a call.