Chapter 4 - The Delusion of Victory
"You're pathetic, Grant," I said, my tone flat, devoid of the tears or screaming match he had clearly prepared himself to deflect.
Grant’s smile vanished, replaced by a flash of irritation. He hated when people didn't react the way he scripted. He slammed the manila envelope down onto the tray table over my lap.
"Look at that, Tessa. Go ahead, open it," Grant commanded, leaning in close, his voice dropping into a venomous whisper. "That's a petition for sole custody of Maya, paired with a rapid-dissolution divorce filing. You abandoned our home during a domestic dispute. Legally, you're a volatile, unstable military asset with zero domestic support. The court is going to strip you of everything."
Jessica giggled softly, leaning her head against Grant’s shoulder. "We're going to sell the house, Tessa. And Grant is getting promoted to Vice President of Operations next week. You're a ghost of his past. Time to pack up your little green uniforms and move on."
I looked down at the envelope, then slowly back up at them. The sheer audacity was staggering. They really believed they were holding all the cards. They thought my entire existence was defined by the modest salary of a mid-level administrative officer and the rented townhouse we lived in.
"You really didn't look into my background at all, did you, Grant?" I asked quietly.
Grant let out a sharp, barking laugh. "Your background? Please. I know every boring detail of your life. You shuffle papers for the Department of the Army, sign off on supply requisitions, and listen to generals yell at you. I'm moving up to the big leagues, Tessa. I'm dealing with multi-million-dollar defense portfolios now. You're small-time."
"Small-time," I repeated, tasting the words.
May you like
"Sign the papers," Grant demanded, shoving the pen closer to my hand. "Don't make this uglier than it has to be. You have nothing. No money, no house, no future. Just accept that you lost."
Before I could answer, a sharp, authoritative knock echoed on the open door frame.
