The pregnancy test came back positive. Maya Vale did exactly one thing before anything else. She called her lawyer and had divorce papers drafted. "Maya, once both parties sign, we file with the court. The judge signs off. The marriage is legally dissolved." Maya's expression stayed calm. "Can I sign for him?" The lawyer paused. Then he shook his head. "No. He has to sign personally. Or through a legally authorized representative." "He agreed to the divorce. He's just too busy with work to come in. You don't believe me? I'll call him right now. He'll tell you himself." She pulled out her phone and dialed Rowan Cross. "Rowan. I have something I need to tell you." She didn't even finish the sentence before his voice cut through—cold, impatient, almost bored. "I told you already. Your life, your decisions. Don't waste my time with trivial nonsense." Right next to him, Piper Lane let out a soft, syrupy laugh. "Rowan, you're peeling them too fast. I can't possibly eat all this." The line went dead. Maya looked up at the lawyer and smiled, just slightly. "See? I told you." The lawyer frowned but followed procedure. He slid the papers across the desk. Maya signed. When she set the pen down, it felt like a stone she'd been carrying in her chest for years had finally cracked and fallen away. She went home. She took out the framed photo she'd kept like a relic and wiped it clean, slow and careful. The housekeeper walked past. She saw Maya polishing that same frame again and couldn't help whispering to the other staff. "She's so in love with him. She stares at that photo every single day. Cleans that frame every single day." "What good does loving him do? Rowan doesn't care about her at all." "Right? Back when Piper was still in London, he used to fly out to see her constantly. Now that she's back in New York, he spends nearly every waking moment with her. He barely even comes home." Their voices carried pity. ......
