Rising from ashes
(Lina)
I kept hearing my lawyer's words over and over in my head. Nicholas had agreed. He'd finally let me go. No more pretending to be the perfect wife, no more obeying his every command just to keep the peace. I was finally free.
And yet, I couldn't fully get rid of the feeling of unease. Mr. Thompson had warned me there might be a catch, the court would still decide if I could keep my title. After everything I'd been through, it seemed there was always one last fight, one last power to be bent in someone else's favor. But for now, I clung to this victory. Just for a moment.
I looked up at the clear sky, savoring a faint sense of relief. I was finally out from under Nicholas's shadow. Free of him and the roles he tried to force on me.