Chapter 7

How did it come to this?

The question had nagged in Chloe's head, snatching away her attention from all other thoughts as her long, shaky fingers deposited the signed divorce papers on the dark, polished table in Kylian's study—her ex-husband's study.

Ex-husband. The finality of it left a bitter taste in her mouth, like charred bread.

The scent of him lingered in the study, like he was sitting on his chair, poring over some important document. The stacks of books on high shelves testified to his touch in creases, and the urge to run her fingers along their hard spines filled her. But it was a jilted woman's folly.

If I don't get out of here, I'll never leave, she warned herself. Then she turned to go, but as her hand felt the cold knob of the door, she looked over her shoulder, taking one last look at the place she'd frequented many times to bring coffee or call him to the warm confines of their matrimonial bed. She inhaled long and deeply, his scent hovering around her like a blank