“Yes.”
“Then why keep offering it?”
“Because I can earn more money.”
I looked around my quiet apartment.
“I can’t earn back years spent fighting Mason.”
That evening, I had dinner with Tessa and Marcus.
Tessa nearly dropped her fork when I told her.
“You are seriously giving that family a hundred thousand dollars?”
“Yes.”
“They don’t deserve ten dollars.”
“I know.”
“Then why?”
“Because I’m not paying them for being right.”
I took a sip of water.
“I’m paying to make sure they become part of my past as quickly as possible.”
Marcus frowned.
“Freedom shouldn’t cost money.”
“No.”
I looked at him.
“But sometimes peace has a price, and I get to decide whether I’m willing to pay it.”
The following morning, at 8:07, Rachel called.
“They accepted.”
I didn’t celebrate.
I just sat quietly.
And breathed.
The agreement required:
An uncontested divorce.
