Chapter 32 Severed ties
The air inside the lawyer’s office felt stiff and uncomfortable, like the walls themselves were holding their breath. Adeline sat upright in her chair, her legs crossed neatly, her back straight, and her expression cold. Across from her sat Patrick Sterling, a man she once tolerated, a man she had once allowed into her space, and now, someone she could barely stand to look at without feeling disgust crawl under her skin.
She didn’t bother hiding it.
Her eyes rested on him with open distaste, her lips pressed into a thin line as if even the act of breathing the same air as him irritated her. Every time she looked at his face, all she could see was the moment his hands had been around her neck. The pressure, the panic, and the loss of control. It played in her mind like a memory she couldn’t shake, and it made her stomach turn.
She couldn’t believe she had ever allowed herself to share a bed with him. Couldn’t believe she had once convinced herself it was necessary, that it was part of maintaining the image her father wanted. Thinking about it now made her skin crawl.
The lawyer’s office was quiet, decorated in neutral tones that were meant to calm people down, but nothing about this meeting felt calm. A large desk sat between them, papers neatly arranged on top of it, and behind the desk sat the man in charge of finalizing the end of their marriage.
Mr. Daniel Whitmore.
He had introduced himself when Adeline first walked in, polite and professional, the kind of man who had clearly handled many situations like this before. His calm presence did little to ease the tension in the room.
Adeline barely noticed him now. Her focus was entirely on the man sitting across from her.
Patrick shifted slightly in his seat, his expression already showing signs of irritation. He had been quiet for most of the meeting so far, but it didn’t last long.
“So that’s it?” he suddenly said, his voice edged with disbelief as he turned to the lawyer. “I’m supposed to walk away with nothing after she humiliates me publicly like that? After everything she’s done?”
Adeline let out a scoff before the lawyer could even respond. The sound was loud, cutting through the room with ease.
“Be careful,” she said coolly, her eyes still fixed on Patrick. “You don’t want to start talking about humiliation.”
Patrick’s gaze snapped to hers immediately, anger flashing across his face. “What is that supposed to mean?” he demanded.
Adeline tilted her head slightly, her expression almost amused now, though there was no warmth in it. “It means,” she said calmly, “that just because I haven’t released that video of you with your pants down, screwing my assistant in a public bathroom, doesn’t mean I don’t have it.”
The words hit their mark instantly.
Patrick froze.
For a second, he looked like he wasn’t sure how to respond, like he hadn’t expected her to say that out loud, especially not in front of a lawyer. His face shifted, anger mixing with something closer to panic.
Adeline leaned back slightly in her chair, completely unbothered by his reaction. “So if I were you,” she continued, her tone steady, “I’d hold on to whatever dignity you have left and make this process as easy as possible. For both of us.”
Patrick let out a bitter laugh, though it sounded forced. “You think you’re so clever,” he muttered, shaking his head slightly. “You’re really that desperate to get rid of me, huh? Just so you can run off and marry that son of a bitch Julian Hale?”
Adeline rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed. “Don’t flatter yourself,” she replied. “This has nothing to do with desperation.”
“Oh really?” Patrick shot back. “Because from where I’m sitting, it looks like you’re willing to throw everything away. Your marriage, your reputation, even your relationship with your father… all for some man who probably doesn’t even like you, let alone love you.”
Adeline didn’t react immediately. She simply stared at him for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then, slowly, a small, cold smile appeared on her lips.
“That’s funny,” she said softly. “Because I didn’t like you. I didn’t love you either.”
Patrick’s jaw tightened.
“And yet,” she continued, her tone calm and almost casual, “I still married you.”
The silence that followed was heavy.
Adeline leaned forward slightly now, resting her hands on the table as she looked directly at him. “So if I were you,” she added, “I’d be more concerned about what you’re going to do with your life once this is over. Because the truth is, Patrick, you’ve been relying on me to clean up your messes for years.”
Her eyes narrowed just slightly. “And we both know you’re not capable of doing anything right on your own.”
That did it. Patrick’s face twisted with anger, his hands clenching into fists as he leaned forward in his seat. “You think you’re better than me?” he snapped. “You think you can just walk away from me like that?”
Before Adeline could respond, Mr. Whitmore cleared his throat gently, drawing both of their attention.
“I believe it would be best if we refocus on the matter at hand,” he said calmly, his voice steady and professional. “Mr. Sterling, as I have already explained, a prenuptial agreement was signed prior to your marriage.”
Patrick turned to him, still visibly angry. “And?”
“And,” Mr. Whitmore continued, “there is no infidelity clause included in the agreement. This means that neither party is entitled to claim damages or compensation based on allegations of unfaithfulness.”
Adeline watched quietly as the lawyer spoke, her expression returning to calm.
“Furthermore,” Mr. Whitmore added, “both of you will retain your individual assets. There are no joint assets that require division, which significantly simplifies the process. From a legal standpoint, this divorce should proceed smoothly, provided both parties cooperate.”
Patrick stared at him for a moment, his frustration clear, but there was nothing he could argue against. The facts were simple, and they were not in his favor.
Adeline, on the other hand, looked almost satisfied. She slowly stood up from her chair, smoothing down her outfit as she did.
“Perfect,” she said.
Mr. Whitmore glanced up at her. “Ms. Carter?”
“I expect the divorce papers to be prepared and sent as soon as possible,” she said, her tone firm but polite. “There’s no reason to delay.”
“Of course,” he replied with a small nod.
Adeline turned her attention back to Patrick, her expression sharpening again as she looked down at him.
“You heard him,” she said. “When the papers arrive, sign them.”
Patrick glared up at her, but she didn’t care.
“And don’t try anything stupid,” she added, her voice dropping slightly, becoming colder. “Because if you do, I won’t hesitate to ruin you.”
Patrick held her gaze, his expression filled with anger, but under it, there was something else now, something more cautious.
Adeline didn’t wait for a response. She turned on her heel and walked toward the door, her steps confident. She didn’t look back, not once, not at Patrick, not at the lawyer, not at anything behind her.