Chapter 88

Watching the scene unfold; Roger hesitated, his hands balling and relaxing as he wrestled with his thoughts.

Just as Alexia was about to turn and walk out, he finally gathered his resolve and called after her.

"I'l go along with your conditions," Roger said,drawing in a shaky breath. "But you have to promise this ends here. You can't come after them again."

Alexia paused, her gaze sharpening. After a beat, she gave a nod that sounded almost genuine. "Agreed.As long as they stay out of my way, they'll never hear from me again."

Gloria, not ready to accept defeat, opened her mouth to protest, but Eleanor squeezed her hand tightly."Unless you want this to blow up even worse for our family,you'll keep quiet."

Gloria snapped her mouth shut, simmering with frustration, but knowing she'd never had much pull in the Gibson family.

Marilee chewed her lip, shrinking closer to Roger,forced to listen as he and Alexia ironed out the final terms of the divorce.

Alexia's tone left no room for negotiation. "Since we're clear that Roger leaves with nothing,there's nothing left to discuss. My lawyer will prepare the agreement, and you'll sign it. Be at the courthouse by nine tomorrow. If you're late, I can't promise I won't take action you'll regret."

Marilee's resentment boiled over at those words.Alexia was insufferable! Why had the Black Tiger Gang botched the job? She cursed Dina for promising it would all be handled seamlessly.

She had bought Dina's empty promises, and now Alexia stood poised to walk away with every last one of Roger's assets.

After leaving the Gibson family's residence, Alexia called her lawyel:.

The lawyer sounded stunned by the request. "Roger actually agreed to walk away with nothing? I was bracing for a brawl with his lawyer. How did you pull that off,Alexia?"

Alexia's tone was light, almost amused. "Honestly, I barely had to do anything-his girlfriend and cousin did the work for me. Just focus on getting that agreement finished and send it over tonight."

"You got it. I'll make sure you're more than satisfied with the agreement."

"Appreciate it. Let's catch up for lunch sometime soon."

Wearing a sharp royal blue suit, the lawyer leaned over her office window, watching the swirl of traffic and grinned. "Why not tomorrow? Once you're free of that marriage, we'll throw you a party."

Alexia faltered. "You think that's necessary?"

"Absolutely! Kicking a loser to the curb is cause for champagne and celebration. That's settled. I'll text you the plans. Make sure you bring Ada-I haven't seen her in ages."

With that, she cheerfully ended the call.

Alexia smiled to herself, shaking her head. After all this time, her friend hadn't changed-still fearless,still delightfully outrageous.

At the cafe beside the courthouse the following morning, Roger showed up before she did. He flipped through the agreement in silence, face set in stone,and signed without a word.

He glanced at the woman sitting across from him-so distant, so unyielding-and a strange wave of confusion washed over him.

His mind wandered back two years, to the day they'd made it official. Alexia's face had held no hint of today's chill.

He remembered sunshine spilling through the windows. She'd been waiting in a white dress, the cafe buzzing around her, a picture of quiet grace in the middle of chaos.

The moment Roger walked in, she'd caught his eye immediately. Something about her presence that day -poised and mesmerizing-stood out.

He recalled how sour his mood had been. He hadn't planned to be gentle. But when she looked up and smiled, he'd felt a fleeting urge to see where things might go.

"Let's get this over with." Alexia's voice snapped him out of the memory, cool and businesslike.

Roger simply nodded, a flicker of awkwardness crossing his face as he returned the agreement.

Together, they exited the cafe, keeping distance between them. Only after the last formality at the courthouse was complete did Alexia finally exhale.

She could finally breathe. The nightmare of their marriage was at last behind her.

Without giving Roger a backward glance, Alexia pivoted and strode toward the exit.

Roger watched her retreat, a restless discomfort gnawing at him as she moved further away.

"Alexia!" he called out, his voice echoing through the hall and drawing a few curious glances, yet she didn't so much as flinch.

Not once did she glance over her shoulder.

Leaving the courthouse behind, Alexia put Roger's voice-and all that came with it-in the past.

She stepped into sunlight, clouds drifting lazily across a wide blue sky. Eyes half-closed, she felt a peacefulness she hadn't known in ages.

"Today isn't the only good day-tomorrow looks bright,too."