Carter laughed. "Tessa, you really know how to pick them. A tantrum over a snowman? No wonder they say the useless men have the biggest tempers."
I met his gaze with zero warmth. "If it weren't for the snowman, I might have played the fool longer. But since she built that specific snowman... it's over."
Tessa stomped her foot, tears welling—a perfect performance. "Oliver Fox, do you have no heart? I'm out here working on New Year's Eve to support us, and you want a divorce over a pile of snow?"
"Ignore him," Carter scoffed. "He's just a leech with too much time. Pushing forty with no job, no prospects. Let him sign. How's he going to survive without your money?"
He wasn't entirely wrong about the optics.
Five years ago, I'd stepped back to become a full-time househusband. To the world, I was a parasite attached to the successful female executive. In reality, I'd let my own brilliance collect dust to polish hers.
If I'd only had that anonymous email, I might not have pulled the trigger. But seeing the symbol of their perversion right in front of me—I wasn't swallowing this anymore.
"My survival is none of your concern." I pulled a second copy from the envelope. Always prepared. I signed it and held it out.
Tessa read it word by word. Her face paled.
"Oliver... you're willing to leave with nothing?" Her voice trembled. "Giving up all claims to the assets? Just because of a snowman?"
"You're right. It is because of the snowman."
"What is wrong with you? It's just snow."
"I know I promised to watch the first snowfall with you, but I was stuck at the office. I ran into Carter right after I clocked out. We just built a snowman together on a whim. That's all it was."
Tessa's explanation was pale, powerless, and rehearsed. Listening to it, I felt nothing but a rising tide of irritation.
I stared at the snowman. Ugly. Misshapen. Yet looking at it made my chest feel like a boulder had crushed my ribs. I couldn't breathe.
"I don't need explanations," I said, my voice devoid of warmth. "Just sign the papers. Let's get this over with. It's the best outcome for both of us."
The snow fell heavier now, large flakes drifting down to coat the city in white. The streets were filling with people celebrating New Year's Eve, their laughter a stark contrast to the freezing silence between us.