Chapter 3
The morning light filtered through the curtains as I sat at the kitchen table, my laptop open to a private browsing window. August had left for work an hour ago, his coffee mug still sitting on the counter where he'd abandoned it. I'd washed it immediately—old habits died hard—but now I allowed myself this small act of rebellion: research.
Divorce lawyers in the city. Family law attorneys specializing in emotional abuse. I scrolled through pages of results, my heart pounding despite the empty house. Years of surveillance had made me paranoid. I cleared my browsing history after each search, closed tabs meticulously, even checked the router logs to ensure nothing could be traced back to me.
Elena Rodriguez's name appeared repeatedly in the reviews. "Compassionate but fierce." "Doesn't back down from powerful opponents." "Understands complex financial situations." Her website showed a woman in her forties with kind eyes and a professional smile. Her specialties included high-net-worth divorces and cases involving psychological manipulation.
I drafted an email on a burner account I'd created at the library last week, my fingers trembling slightly over the keys. Brief. Factual. I mentioned my inability to speak, my husband's wealth, and the need for absolute discretion. I hit send before I could second-guess myself, then immediately cleared all traces of the correspondence.
The rest of the morning passed in a blur of mundane tasks. Laundry. Cleaning. Preparing August's dinner for the evening. But beneath the familiar routine, something new thrummed through my veins. Purpose.
---
That evening, August arrived home with his parents in tow. I'd received a text from him two hours prior: "Parents coming for dinner. Make sure everything's perfect."
No please. No thank you. Just commands.
I'd prepared a roast with all the traditional accompaniments his mother preferred. The dining room gleamed, every surface polished to perfection. I wore a conservative dress his mother had once complimented, my hair pulled back neatly.
Marcus Walker swept into our home like a conquering general, his wife Diane trailing behind with her practiced society smile. August kissed his mother's cheek, shook his father's hand.
"Skyler," Diane said, offering me her hand with the warmth of someone greeting a servant. "You're looking well."
I smiled and nodded, gesturing for them to sit.
Dinner began with the usual small talk—business dealings, society gossip, Marcus's latest golf game. I moved between kitchen and dining room, serving courses, refilling wine glasses, existing in the background like wallpaper.
"So, August," Marcus said, cutting into his roast with surgical precision. "Diane and I have been discussing your situation."
*Here we go. Another lecture about heirs and legacy.*
August's internal voice was tight with resentment, though his face remained pleasantly neutral.
"Eight years of marriage," Marcus continued, his tone making it sound like an accusation. "The board is starting to ask questions. A man in your position needs stability. Family. An heir."
I stood by the sideboard, refilling the water pitcher with methodical care, though every nerve in my body was attuned to the conversation.
"Father, we've discussed this," August said, his voice controlled. "Skyler and I are focusing on our careers right now."
*As if I'd trust her to raise a Walker heir. She can barely function in public.*
The cruelty of his thoughts no longer shocked me. Instead, I filed them away, evidence for the case I was building.
"Appearances matter," Marcus said, his voice hardening. "The Walker name matters. You need to think beyond your own immediate desires and consider what's best for the family legacy."
Diane placed a manicured hand on her husband's arm. "What your father means, darling, is that perhaps it's time to consider... options. There are excellent fertility specialists. Or if Skyler's condition makes things difficult—"
*God, can we not discuss my marriage like I'm a breeding stallion?*
"We'll handle it," August interrupted, his jaw clenched. "In our own time."
*In our own time? What a joke. As if I'd ever—*
I moved forward to clear the salad plates, my movements fluid and unobtrusive. Marcus barely glanced at me, but I caught the calculation in his eyes. To him, I was a problem to be solved, an obstacle to the Walker dynasty.
"The charity gala next weekend," Diane said, changing the subject with practiced ease. "You'll both be attending, of course? It's at the estate, and the guest list is quite impressive this year."
August's fingers tightened around his wine glass. "Of course. Skyler and I wouldn't miss it."
*Perfect opportunity to show everyone exactly where things stand. Sierra will look stunning in that dress I bought her.*
My hand remained steady as I collected Marcus's plate. Inside, that small flame of knowledge burned brighter. He was planning something. Planning to humiliate me publicly at his family's event, with Sierra Carter as his instrument.
I returned to the kitchen, set the plates in the sink, and allowed myself one deep breath. Then I checked my phone, hidden in my apron pocket.
One new email from Elena Rodriguez: "I'd be honored to represent you. Let's schedule a confidential consultation."
I deleted the message and returned to the dining room with dessert, my smile serene, my hands steady.
Let August plan his public humiliation. I was planning my escape.
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