Grace sat at her desk for a moment after Eleanor's departure, her mind still spinning from the encounter. The weight of her decision felt heavy on her chest, but there was a small flicker of relief in knowing that she had finally made up her mind. She couldn't do this anymore. She couldn't live in a marriage where she was asked to share her husband's love with someone else. She had given him everything—her trust, her love, her whole heart. And he had betrayed her.
Picking up her phone, Grace dialed the number of her lawyer. Her fingers shook as she listened to the ringing on the other end. She didn't care if she sounded rushed. She needed this done.
"Hello, Grace," her lawyer, Daniel, answered.
"I need the divorce papers today, Daniel. Can you bring them to my office?" Her voice was steady, but there was an edge of desperation she couldn't quite hide.
"Of course," Daniel replied. "I'll bring them by this afternoon. Is there anything else you need from me?"
Grace swallowed hard. "No. Just bring them to me as soon as possible."
"Understood. I'll see you soon."
The call ended, and Grace let out a long breath. She glanced at the clock. It was only just past noon, and the afternoon still loomed ahead. She had a few hours before Daniel would arrive, but she knew she wouldn't be able to concentrate on anything else. Her mind was consumed by the weight of what she was about to do. It wasn't just a legal decision—it was a life-changing one. She had spent years building a life with Andrew, a life she thought she could depend on. But now, everything was unraveling, and she had to make sure she didn't lose herself in the process.
By the time the afternoon had rolled around, Grace's nerves were frayed. She was no longer able to focus on work, and she found herself fidgeting with papers on her desk. When Daniel finally arrived, he was punctual as always, carrying a briefcase. He greeted her with a nod and a polite smile, but he could sense the tension in her.
"Here they are," Daniel said, placing the divorce papers on her desk. "It's all in order. I've also included some of the initial steps for the separation, if that's how you want to proceed."
Grace didn't need to look at them right away. She reached out and took the papers, her fingers trembling as they brushed against the cool surface of the document. She had spent months agonizing over this decision, and now it was finally in her hands.
"Thank you, Daniel," she said softly, taking a deep breath. "Please, make sure everything moves quickly. I don't want any delays."
"I'll handle it," he reassured her, giving her a sympathetic smile before leaving her office.
With the papers in hand, Grace felt a small sense of relief. She had made her choice. Now she just needed to move forward.
After work, Grace left the office and drove home, the familiar route feeling different somehow. Her house had always been a sanctuary, a place where she and Andrew had built their life together. But today, the thought of walking through the door filled her with a knot in her stomach. She didn't know what she would find when she got home, but she knew it wouldn't be the peaceful solitude she longed for.
When she stepped inside, the first thing she noticed was the sound of a baby crying. Her heart lurched. She had been hoping for some peace and quiet to collect herself, but instead, the last thing she expected was to hear Sarah's voice.
"Why is she here?" Grace asked herself under her breath, though she already knew the answer.
She walked into the living room, and there, sitting on the couch, was Sarah—holding her newborn baby, her face a mixture of exhaustion and smug confidence.
Grace's breath caught in her throat. "What are you doing here, Sarah?"
Sarah looked up at her, a small smirk playing on her lips. "This is my home, Grace. I've come to stay."
The words hit Grace like a slap in the face. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. She had hoped that once she made her decision, once she put things in motion, she would have some time to herself, to find some peace. But it seemed like that was never going to happen.
"No," Grace said, shaking her head in disbelief. "This is not your home. This is my house. Andrew and I both paid for it. You have no right to be here."
Sarah laughed softly, rocking the baby in her arms. "Well, that may be true, but you are asking for a divorce. Andrew and I will get married and we have a baby. I think that gives me a place here.
Grace's chest tightened with anger. "No. You don't get to just waltz in here like you own the place. This house is mine as much as it is Andrew's. I paid 70 percent of the down payment. You may be marrying him and having his child, but that doesn't mean you can take over my house.
Sarah's expression darkened slightly, but she didn't seem fazed. "I don't care how much you paid. You're asking for a divorce, Grace. That means you're the one who should leave. Not me."
Grace felt a surge of anger boil up inside her. "I don't care what you think. You can have Andrew all to yourself but this house is my house. . I will not leave my house for anyone.
The silence between them stretched thin, both women standing their ground. Grace's hands clenched into fists, her body trembling with the effort to keep her composure. She had already been through so much emotional turmoil with Andrew, and now Sarah was here, acting as if she had every right to be in the home that Grace had worked so hard to build.
"I'm not leaving," Sarah said quietly, but with a finality that chilled Grace to the bone. "This is where I belong now."
Grace took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. She wasn't going to let Sarah walk all over her.
"You'll leave," Grace said, her voice steady but firm. "I'll give you one chance to pack your things and go. I won't let you stay here. If you refuse, I'll call the police. This is my house, and I won't let anyone, take it from me."
Sarah's eyes flickered with surprise for a moment, but then she narrowed them. "You're really going to call the police over this? Over your house?" she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Yes," Grace replied, her voice unwavering. "You're trespassing. You have no right to be here, and if you don't leave, I'll make sure you understand that."
For a long moment, Sarah said nothing. She simply stared at Grace, her gaze unyielding. But then, finally, she sighed and stood up, still holding the baby in her arms.
"So you prefer a house over Andrew," Sarah asked. Her eyes a bit darker." Your prefer a house over your own marriage" . " You don't want to fight for your marriage?" .
Grace didn't respond, simply watching as Sarah picked her and walked out of the house.. When the door slammed behind her, Grace's heart raced. She felt a mixture of relief and dread. She had stood her ground, but she knew this wasn't over. There would be more battles to fight, more hard decisions to make.
But for now, she was at peace. She wasn't going to let anyone push her around anymore. Not Sarah, not Andrew, not even Eleanor. She had made her decision.