The morning sun filtered through the small kitchen window of Mara's sister's apartment. Mara sat at the table, a cup of warm tea in her hands, while her sister, Nina, laid out a plate of scrambled eggs and toast.
Nina: Drink your tea, Mara. You look like you haven't slept a wink.
Mara: I couldn't sleep, Nina. Every time I closed my eyes, I felt myself falling against that table again.
Nina: God, I wish I was at that party. I would have thrown Victoria into the punch bowl myself!
Mara: She got what she deserved. That slap echoed across the whole ballroom.
Nina: Good for you! But what about the baby? How are you feeling this morning?
Mara placed a gentle hand over her stomach, feeling a firm, reassuring kick from within.
Mara: The baby is active and kicking. I have an appointment with Dr. Vance at ten to do a full checkup and ultrasound just to be safe.
Nina: Good. And what about your lawyer?
Mara: Arthur is meeting us at the clinic. He said he has the initial asset discovery documents ready for the divorce filing.
The doorbell rang loudly, startling both women. Nina stood up, grabbing a heavy wooden rolling pin from the counter before heading to the front door.
Nina: Who is it?
Julian: Open the door, Nina! I know Mara is in there!
Mara stood up from the table, her face hardening as she walked into the living room beside her sister.
Mara: Open it, Nina. Let him say whatever lie he came here to tell.
Nina unlocked the door, stepping back as Julian burst into the apartment. He looked terrible—his suit was wrinkled, his hair was messy, and a dark red mark was still visible on his cheek.
Julian: Mara! You need to delete that video right now!
Mara: Good morning to you too, Julian. Did you sleep well?
Julian: Stop playing games! Someone from the gala leaked a audio recording of the argument to the local news! The Vance Group stock dropped eight percent at market open!
Mara: Oh, what a shame. Maybe you shouldn't have shouted 'she's carrying the real heir' in front of fifty corporate investors.
Julian: My mother is going insane, Mara! Board members are calling emergency meetings to discuss my position as vice president!
Mara: Sounds like a personal problem, Julian. Why are you in my sister's apartment?
Julian: I came to make a deal. You sign a non-disclosure agreement today, and I'll give you a five hundred thousand dollar cash settlement in the divorce.
Mara let out a short, bitter laugh, taking a step toward her husband.
Mara: Five hundred thousand dollars? That's pocket change to the Vance family, Julian.
Julian: You were a middle school teacher making forty grand a year! Five hundred thousand is more money than you've ever seen in your life!
Mara: It's not about the money, Julian. It's about accountability.
Julian: What do you want, Mara? Name your price!
Mara: I want a full, public apology on camera from both you and your mother. And I want fifty percent of your corporate stock shares placed into a trust fund for our child.
Julian: Fifty percent?! Are you out of your mind?! That stock belongs to the family estate!
Mara: Then I guess you'd better get ready for the board meeting at two o'clock, Julian. Because my lawyer will be sitting in the front row with the security footage.
Julian stared at Mara, his jaw clenching as he realized he no longer held any power over the woman he had spent three years controlling.
Julian: My mother was right about you. You're cold and calculating.
Mara: No, Julian. I was loving, patient, and loyal. You just mistook my kindness for weakness.
Nina: You heard her. Get out of my house before I use this rolling pin on your other cheek.
Julian pointed a finger at Mara, his voice trembling with anger.
Julian: You won't get a dime, Mara. My legal team will drag this divorce out for five years until you're completely broke!
Mara: We'll see about that, Julian. Have a nice day.