The Tenth Crown Chapter 2

Dwight slid a few documents across the table towards me, the paper making a soft, crisp sound.

"Here's the divorce agreement and the asset division. I've looked them over. Everything seems to be in order."

He spoke with the detached air of someone reviewing a boring, predictable game.

"The assets are split fifty-fifty. It's fair. And you can see Jordy whenever you want."

I flipped open the folder.

He was right. It was fair.

Until my eyes landed on the date at the bottom of the page.

A month ago.

He’d had this drawn up a month ago.

I set his papers aside and pulled a different folder from my own bag.

"Let's sign this one instead."

My voice was as calm as his, if not calmer.

"You take seventy percent, I'll take thirty. But on one condition."

"I completely renounce my custody rights to Jordy. I won't pay any child support, and I think it's best if we have as little contact as possible from now on."

Dwight’s hand, already holding the pen, paused for a fraction of a second before descending.

The scratch of the nib on paper was sharp, decisive as a blade.

"Done. Your turn."

The moment my signature was on the page, I saw the tension leave his shoulders. He visibly relaxed.

His voice softened, adopting a tone of gentle magnanimity.

"Thank you, Claire. Thank you for being so gracious, for not making this ugly."

"After all, if you decided to make a scene, it could have been very… difficult for me."

He trailed off, but we both knew what he meant.

I gathered my copy of the agreement and stood up.

As I did, my gaze fell on the elaborate cake sitting on the dining table.

The first birthday cake I’d received in ten years of marriage.

Jordy seemed to notice where I was looking and immediately threw his arms around the box protectively.

"This is for Sienna! It's her birthday today, too! I'm giving it to her!"

Dwight’s brow furrowed in annoyance. "Jordy, stop talking nonsense!" he hissed. "That's for your mother."

"No, it's for Sienna!" Jordy insisted, his little neck stiff with defiance. "I already called her! She's on her way over right now!"

As if on cue, the soft beep of the electronic lock sounded from the front door.

I didn't need to turn around to know who it was.

In this house, only one person besides the three of us could walk in without knocking.

Sienna breezed in as if she owned the place.

Jordy immediately scrambled into her arms.

"Mommy! You're here! Let's have cake!"

He tilted his head back, his voice ringing out, loud and clear, "Sienna, you're going to be my mommy now!"

Not a flicker of surprise crossed Sienna’s face.

She knelt gracefully, gently tapping Jordy's nose.

"Store-bought cake is so unhealthy, sweetie. I'll make you a special handmade one."

I couldn't be bothered to watch this performance.

I grabbed my bag and walked toward the door.

The motion-activated light in the hallway flickered on as I stepped out.

Frantic footsteps echoed behind me.

"Claire! Wait!" Sienna called out, her voice catching.

I stopped but didn't turn back.

"Claire," she began, her voice trembling as if she were the world's greatest victim, "I don't think I did anything wrong."

"In love, the one who isn't loved is the third wheel."

"You were smart to just bow out gracefully. It's better for everyone."

I felt no anger, not even a ripple of emotion.

"You haven't changed a bit, Sienna."

"In Go, you could only ever study my old game records."

"In life, you can only pick up what I've thrown away."

"It's a good thing Master Alistair expelled you from the academy when he did. You would have been a complete disgrace to his name."

Without waiting to see the furious blush creeping up her neck, I turned and walked away.

The elevator doors slid shut, reflecting my perfectly composed face.

It was over.

And that was for the best.