Chapter 9 - THE LEGAL BLOW
The rest of the week passed in a blur of sunshine and luxury.
Audrey treated herself to the spa treatments Diane had coveted.
She went on the sailing excursion alone,
watching the dolphins play in the wake of the boat.
She didn't check the group chat.
She didn't check Trevor’s social media.
She was already living in a world where they didn't exist.
On the final morning,
she checked out of the resort.
Owen was at the desk,
looking pleased to see her.
"I hope you enjoyed your stay,
Ms. Thorne."
"I did,
Owen.
Thank you for your help."
"It was my pleasure,"
he said.
"And just so you know,"
"Mr. Bennett was here an hour ago,
trying to find out your flight details."
"I told him we couldn't release that information."
Audrey smiled.
"Good."
She took a car to the airport,
sitting in the first-class lounge and sipping a mimosa.
When she landed in Atlanta,
she saw Trevor waiting by the baggage claim.
He looked terrible.
His clothes were stained,
his eyes were sunken,
and he looked like he had aged twenty years.
He spotted her and rushed forward.
"Audrey!
Please!
We need to talk!"
"My parents are at a motel,
they have no money to get home!"
Audrey didn't stop walking.
She saw a man in a suit waiting for her near the exit.
It was a process server.
As Trevor reached her,
the man stepped forward and handed him a thick envelope.
"Trevor Bennett?"
"Yeah,
what is this?"
"You've been served,"
the man said.
Trevor froze,
looking at the papers in his hand.
"Divorce?"
he whispered.
"Audrey,
no!"
"It’s not just divorce,
Trevor,"
Audrey said,
stopping to look at him one last time.
"It’s a lawsuit for the return of the funds you embezzled from our joint accounts for your family's debts."
"I have the receipts for everything."
"The SUV,
the dental work,
the handbags."
"You're going to pay me back every cent."
"And since you don't have a job,"
"I suppose your family will have to help you."
She walked out into the humid Atlanta air,
feeling the sun on her face.
May you like
Trevor’s cries followed her,
but they were drowned out by the sound of the city.
