I didn’t take it. I lowered my gaze. Through the small, rectangular window cut into the envelope, I could see the bold, black typography. Petition for Absolute Divorce. It was already filled out. It was already dated. The aggressive letters screamed up at me, proud of their own cruelty.
“You’re useless now, Emily,” Jason continued, his voice devoid of any inflection. It was a flat, rehearsed delivery. “You did exactly what you were good for. The debt is clear. Now, get out.”
My fingers remained perfectly still at my sides. My respiratory rate didn’t elevate. My throat didn’t constrict with the hysterical tears they were so clearly anticipating. Instead, my eyes locked onto a tiny, dark brown coffee stain blooming on the bottom right corner of the envelope. Jason possessed a chronic, nervous tremor whenever he was executing a lie; he always spilled his coffee when he was guilty.
Linda took a deliberate, high-heeled step forward, her chin elevated to project dominance. “It’s truly for the best, Emily. You must see that. Jason requires someone… significantly more supportive. Someone who fundamentally understands the value of family.”
Brooke shifted her weight, a smirk playing at the corners of her glossy lips. “Let’s not make this messy, Emily. Have some dignity.”
