---- Chapter 16 | looked at Michael, then at Serena, her face a mask of triumphant pity. A strange calm settled over me. The anger was still there, a cold, hard core, but it was controlled now. "Apologize?" | said, my voice even. "For what, Michael? For discovering your lies? For not wanting to be part of your sick charade?" His face tightened. "Don't be difficult, Liv." "Difficult?" | laughed, a short, bitter sound. "You have no idea what difficult is. But you will." Serena tsked. "Still so dramatic. Michael, she's clearly not well." | turned my gaze to her. "And you, Serena. Enjoy your 'victory.' | hope it keeps you warm at night. Because it's built on sand." | looked back at Michael. "There will be no apology. There will be no reconciliation. There will only be a divorce. A very public and very thorough one." His eyes widened slightly. This wasn't the reaction he'd expected. "You can't be serious, Liv. Think of the baby. Think of my company." "l am thinking of my baby," | said, my hand resting protectively on my stomach. "That's why I'm getting as far away from you and your toxicity as possible." ---- | then looked past them, towards the door, as if they were already gone. "Now, please leave. You're disturbing my rest. And frankly, the sight of you both makes me sick." My defiance was absolute. My detachment complete. They stood there for a moment, stunned into silence. Then Michael, his face flushed with anger and disbelief, grabbed Serena's arm and pulled her from the room. Elizabeth, who had been watching silently, let out a slow breath. "Good girl," she said. Later that day, after the doctors confirmed | was stable enough for limited activity, | made a call. To my main photography agent. "Sarah, hi, it's Liv Hayes." "Liv! How are you? Heard you had a bit of a health scare. Everything okay?" "Getting there," | said. "Listen, Sarah, | need to make some changes. I'm... I'm taking an extended leave of absence. Indefinitely." "What? Liv, you're at the top of your game! The luxury event market is booming for you!" "| know," | said. "But | need to step back. Personal reasons. Very serious personal reasons." | then told her about the impending divorce, without all the sordid details, just the facts. And my plan to relocate, to leave LA, She was shocked, but supportive. "Whatever you need, Liv. ---- Your health and well-being come first. We'll be here when you're ready to come back." "Thanks, Sarah. | appreciate that." One more tie cut. One more step towards freedom. My resignation from my old life was underway. My character had grown; | was no longer the woman who would plead or negotiate. | was the woman who would act.