Chapter 3

3.

I sat in my car but didn't start the engine immediately.

Instead, I opened my phone and dialed a number.

"Elena?" A gentle female voice answered. "It's Vivian, HR from the Department of Commerce."

"Vivian, I've decided," I said. "I accept the offer."

"That's wonderful!" Vivian's voice was full of excitement. "Public Affairs Specialist, GS-11, starting salary $75,000. When can you start?"

"Is two weeks okay?"

"Perfect! I'll email you the offer letter and onboarding documents immediately. Welcome to D.C., Elena!"

I hung up and dialed my lawyer.

"Harper, I got the papers."

"He signed them?" My lawyer, Harper, sounded surprised. "He really didn't read the content?"

"Not a single word."

Harper sighed on the other end. "Men."

"I'm taking them to the court now," I said. "According to Illinois law, in 60 days―"

"In 60 days, you will be legally single," Harper said. "Elena, are you sure about the asset division? That house has at least $150,000 in equity. You deserve it."

"I don't want it," I said. "I just want a clean break."

"Alright, your choice," Harper paused. "By the way, what if he finds out and causes trouble?"

"In 60 days, I'll be in D.C.," I said. "He won't be able to find me."

Back at the house in Naperville, I started packing.

We lived in this four-bedroom colonial-style house for seven years.

I planted the maple tree in the front yard. We painted the deck in the back together. I picked the backsplash in the kitchen.

But none of that mattered anymore.

I opened the closet and packed my clothes into boxes one by one.

Those designer bags, the jewelry, the luxury goods he "compensated" me with―

I didn't want any of them.

They could stay, or be donated.

I only wanted the things that were truly mine: photos, books, my mother's jewelry box, and my vintage Canon camera.

Halfway through packing, my phone buzzed.

It was an Instagram notification.

Sienna had posted a photo: She and Declan standing in front of Gibson's Bar & Steakhouse, with the Chicago River nightscape in the background.

Sienna was wearing a black Hervé Léger bandage dress, linking arms with Declan, smiling brightly.

Caption: "Celebrating new chapters with my favorite person ??? #ChicagoHereWeCome #DreamsComeTrue"

I tapped on Declan's profile.

He had reposted Sienna's story, adding:

"Proud of you. Cheers to new beginnings."

The comments were full of congratulations:

"You two are perfect together!"

"When's the wedding? ??"

"Power couple alert! ??"

I stared at those comments for a long time, then calmly closed the app.

New beginnings?

Yes. For me, it's a new beginning too.

Only my new beginning doesn't include Declan Vance.