"Tell me everything I need to know, Wendy," he said, his voice calm but firm. "The more I know, the better I can protect you."

I bit my lip, hesitating before speaking. "I want this over as quickly as possible, Leon. I don’t care about the money, the properties—any of it. I just want to be free."

His eyes darkened slightly. "Are you sure? You’ve given years of your life to this marriage. Don’t let him dictate how it ends."

I shook my head. "There’s nothing to fight for, Leon. It was all an illusion."

He let out a slow breath, closing the file momentarily.

"Alright. But you do realise Archie won’t let this go easily. He’ll either try to hold onto you—or make your life hell for trying to leave."

I had no doubt about that. Archie never relinquished control willingly.

"I’m prepared," I said firmly. "No matter what he does, I won’t change my mind."

Leon studied me once more before nodding. "Then we’ll begin immediately."

He slid a document across the desk, placing a pen beside it. "Sign here. This is the formal petition for divorce."

I took the pen, my fingers trembling ever so slightly. Not out of fear or hesitation, but because this was it—the moment I was finally taking control of my own life.

With a deep breath, I signed my name.

Leon took the paper back, glancing at my signature before meeting my eyes. "You’ve just taken the first step, Wendy."

I nodded. "I know."

Something flickered in his gaze—an unreadable emotion he quickly concealed. I ignored it, focusing instead on the weight lifting from my chest.

"Is there anything else you want me to arrange?" Leon asked, his voice quieter now, as though sensing the storm still brewing within me.

I met his eyes, my resolve hardening. "Yes," I murmured. "I want a new identity. I don’t want Archie to ever find Wendy Clark again."

Leon’s brows lifted slightly, but he masked his surprise well. And then, after a brief pause, he nodded. A silent promise that my request would be granted.

A slow, knowing smile played at his lips. "Welcome to your new beginning, Wendy."

I let out a breath I hadn’t realised I was holding.

Yes. This was a new beginning.

And I would never look back again.

My steps halted in the doorway, my chest tightening at the sight before me. Archie sat on the sofa with a woman beside him—Claire. The very woman who had torn my household apart.