e mediation r

ed by more than just wood and varnish. Clayton sat in an observer's chair b

red, his voice filled with disbelief, "the opposing party has waived all claims to mar

as unh

e table at Chloe, searching her face

hing but ser

desperate to be with that other man that she would walk aw

he pen without a flicker of hesitation. Her signature-Chl

center of the table. Her movement was graceful, as

ine and gestured wit

He had expected tears, arguments, a last-ditch

was watching him, a cool, victorious

and wounded, sur

ngry motion, he scrawled his name-Augu

hard the nib of the

as d

f marriage, o

hat concludes the proceedings. As of this m

if a mountain had been lifted from her chest. She turned to Clayton and her la

s a celebration. A celebrat

ack and stood, needin

e walked around the table

ression cold, waiting for

mply held out h

ned, co

voice calm and even. "I don't believe I h

f keys into his hand. The met

walked away, without

walk down the hallway, side-by-side with Clayton, the anger and j

. It was loss. A real, tangibl

een so certain would never leave

the signed agreement still on the ta

Mont

tgo

In three years, he had only ever called her Chloe. He

edge of his memory, but his mind, clo