The Unwanted Wife's Return (Ex-Husband Wants Me Back) novel Chapter 352

The Attorney 

MARY’S POV: 

“Mary.” Her voice was warm, familiar. “It’s been so long. How are you?” 

“I’m fine,” I said. “I need to ask you something.” 

“Of course. Anything.” 

“I’m getting divorced. I need a lawyer.” 

Silence. 

Long, heavy, uncomfortable silence. 

I could hear her breathing on the other end of the line. Could hear the rustle of papers, the click of a keyboard, the quiet sound of someone trying to figure out how to say no. 

“Mary,” she said finally, “I want to help you. I really do. But… Alistair Vane is one of our biggest donors. If I take your case, I’ll lose my job. And so will half the people in this firm.” 

“I understand.” 

“Do you? I’m so sorry. I wish I could-” 

“It’s okay,” I said. “I understand.” 

We said goodbye. I hung up the phone. 

And then I sat there, in the empty kitchen, and I let the silence swallow me whole. 

The last lawyer I met with was a woman named Eleanor Cross. 

She was in her late fifties, with silver-streaked hair pulled back in a tight bun and glasses perched on the end of her nose. Her office was small, cluttered with stacks of files and overflowing bookshelves. A single window looked out onto a narrow alley, the light filtering through dusty blinds. 

“Why are you here, then? If you know all of this, why are you still trying?” 

Пlooked at her. 

I thought about Elowen. About the way she had asked, so carefully, so hopefully, if her father could come to her school event. I thought about the disappointment in her eyes, the quiet resignation. I thought about the life I wanted for her, a life where she didn’t have to ask permission to be loved. 

“Because I have a daughter,” I said. “And she deserves better than a father who refuses to show up.” 

Eleanor Cross was quiet for a long moment. 

Then she nodded slowly. 

“I don’t know what to do but then I hope you don’t give up,” she said. 

“Thanks,” I said, and my voice was steadier than I expected. “But you don’t need to worry about that. He will handle my divorce. And when he’s finished, Alistair will be left with absolutely nothing.”