---- Chapter 13 The day came to sign the separation papers. Elizabeth's lawyer, a sharp woman named Ms. Albright, had reviewed them. "They're standard, but his proposed asset division is laughable, considering your family's contributions to his business," she'd told me. "We'll address that in the actual divorce, which we will file the moment you are safely away from him." | met Michael at his lawyer's office. Serena was there, uninvited, a smug spectator. She sat beside Michael, her hand possessively on his arm, while he signed. Then it was my turn. | picked up the pen, my hand steady. Before | signed, | looked at Michael. "You know, Michael," | said, my voice quiet but clear. "This startup you're so desperate to protect? It wouldn't exist without my initial investment. Or my mother's connections, which you leveraged so effectively." He shifted uncomfortably. "Liv, this isn't the time or place..." Serena scoffed. "Oh, please. Michael is a genius. He would have succeeded with or without your money." Her arrogance was astounding. She had no idea of the financial realities, the doors Elizabeth had opened. ---- | ignored her, signed the papers, and pushed them across the table. "There. Your 'quiet legal separation." As | stood to leave, Serena stood too, blocking my path. "Not so fast, Olivia," she sneered. "You think you can just walk away and play the victim?" "I'm not playing anything, Serena. I'm leaving a toxic situation." "You're just jealous," she hissed, her eyes flashing. "Jealous that Michael loves me, that he chose me and our son over you and your... potential baby." Her words were like venom. Before | could react, she slapped me. Hard. Across the face. The sting was sharp, shocking. "You're a pathetic, barren shrew!" she shrieked. "Michael deserves better! We deserve better!" Michael just sat there, looking flustered, making no move to intervene. My cheek throbbed. The physical pain was nothing compared to the outrage, the sheer audacity of her attack, and Michael's passive complicity. | looked at him, truly looked at him, and saw nothing | recognized, nothing | had ever loved. Just a weak, deceitful man cowering behind a vicious, manipulative woman. My resolve hardened into something unbreakable. This wasn't just about escaping. It was about making them pay.