Chapter 6 - The Clean Break
By Tuesday afternoon, the hospital room had quieted down significantly.
The Vances had fled back to their respective homes to pack their bags and consult a parade of panicked criminal defense attorneys who were already telling them that their legal exposure was absolute and inescapable. Rowan had been formally terminated from Apex Logistics via an email notification sent by corporate HR at 9:00 a.m. sharp, complete with an attached copy of my forensic audit report forwarded directly to the federal prosecutor’s office.
My father sat in the armchair beside my bed, gently spooning chicken broth into a paper cup for me while I nursed little Leo, who was sleeping peacefully against my chest.
“You handled that like a seasoned executive, sweetheart,” Dad smiled warmly, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Though I still wish you had told me about this scoundrel sooner. I would have bought his company out and turned it into a public parking lot two years ago.”
I laughed softly, leaning my head back against the pillows. “Thanks, Dad. But I had to handle it myself. I needed to prove to myself that I didn't need anyone’s protection to stand on my own two feet.”
“You’re a Sterling,” Dad said simply, reaching out to gently touch Leo’s tiny, perfect hand. “You were never lacking in strength, Phoebe. You just chose to give your heart to the wrong man.”
“Not anymore,” I whispered, looking down at my son. “From now on, my heart belongs only to the people who actually show up.”
The divorce proceedings were filed on Wednesday morning, expedited through a high-powered legal team arranged by my father. Given the overwhelming evidence of financial fraud, abandonment during medical distress, and wire embezzlement, Rowan’s defense attorney didn't even attempt to contest the filing. He advised his client to sign the papers immediately, surrender all claims to marital assets, and plead guilty to federal charges in exchange for a slightly reduced prison sentence.
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Rowan tried to call me twice, begging for mercy, pleading for a second chance, whining about how his mother had pushed him into it.
I didn't answer either call. I blocked his number permanently, deleting his contact information from my phone as if he had never existed.
