Hildegarde's face remained impassive. "Got it. I'm busy—I'll call you later."
"Alright. Take care of yourself."
She hung up and stared at the lunch box.
Suddenly, she had no desire to open it.
"Terence Baker," she called.
Her secretary appeared at the door. "Yes, Ms. Pruitt?"
"Has my husband come by today?"
"No, ma'am. Mr. Dickerson hasn't been to the office."
A flush of irritation crept up her cheeks.
"I see. Take this lunch and eat it yourself. If my husband does show up, tell him I've already eaten—and he can take his container back with him."
Terence collected the box and left.
"Let's see how long you can keep this up."
Hildegarde snorted and turned to her work—though her mind refused to settle.
By late morning, her stomach was growling. She summoned Terence again. "Has my husband come by?"
"No, ma'am. And that lunch box is still here, if you'd like it. I can heat it up."
"Throw it out."
She waved him away in annoyance.
Once he was gone, she snatched up her phone and dialed Wilfred's number.
The number you have dialed is not in service...
"Bastard! You're still blocking my calls?!"
Her patience finally snapped.
Blocking her number. Not even bothering to bring her lunch. What the hell was he playing at?
Did he actually mean to go through with the divorce?
The thought sent an unexpected flutter of panic through her chest.
She grabbed the office landline and tried again.
This time, it connected.
"Wilfred, just so you know, I've already eaten. Patrick made me the most wonderful lunch, so today you don't need to—"
His voice cut through, flat and cold. "Hildegarde. I'm at the Family Court. Get over here. Let's finish this."
She froze.
Was he serious?
He was actually at Family Court, waiting to finalize their divorce?
Where did he get the nerve?
Did he really think he could survive out there without her?
"Wilfred, enough. You think threatening me with divorce is going to work? Without me, you're nothing. Without me, your whole family goes down with you."
"Don't forget—without me, the Dickersons are nobody."
Hildegarde was utterly furious.
Back then, the Dickersons had arranged the marriage with the Pruitts to ride their coattails, and over the years, the Pruitts had certainly taken care of them. Without the Pruitts, the Dickersons would be nothing.
"Wilfred, do you have any idea? One word from me, and I can drag your entire family into the abyss."