CHAPTER 029: The Bargain

~~Ryan O’Brien~~

Ryan O'Brien stares down at the stack of papers in his hands, the ones just handed to him by a server.

TO: RYAN O’BRIEN

YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action, which is brought to obtain a divorce, and to appear before the Ravenswood District Court of the State of New York, Greenwood County, within twenty (20) days after service of this Summons upon you."

Complaint:

"PARTIES:

Plaintiff: JULIE JENKINS (currently known as JULIE O’BRIEN)

Defendant: RYAN O’BRIEN

...

GROUND FOR DIVORCE:

Adultery (Domestic Relations Law § 170(1))

……

The world blurs for a second. A divorce Summon?

He reads it again, slower this time, each word grating against his mind, and his grip tightens on the paper. Somewhere in the background, he hears a faint hum. It’s Emily. She’s hovering beside him with her hand on the back of his chair.

“How did she manage that so quickly?” Emily asks. She doesn’t sound unhappy about it. In fact, Ryan could swear there’s a hi