Chapter 18 - A Legal Ultimatum Delivered To Derek's Temporary Motel
A sharp knock echoed against the warped wooden door of Derek’s dingy motel room late Tuesday evening.
Derek pulled the door open cautiously, finding a court-appointed process server standing under the flickering neon hallway light.
“Service of process, Mr. Harrington,” the server said bluntly, handing over a thick manila envelope.
Derek ripped the seals open with trembling fingers and pulled out the finalized divorce decree signed by a federal judge.
The terms were absolute: zero alimony, perpetual non-compete clauses across three continents, and full legal custody assigned to Clara.
At the bottom of the final page, handwritten in familiar, elegant cursive, was a single parting note from Clara herself.
“You told me to keep the baby and chose your freedom; thank you for giving me both.”
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Derek dropped the papers onto the threadbare carpet, sinking onto the edge of the lumpy mattress as tears finally fell.
He had traded an empire, a loving wife, and a true family for a fleeting illusion of freedom that turned out to be a cage.
