Chapter 0003

            Macey didn’t know how long she sat there before finally coming to a decision.  She flipped through the divorce papers until she came to the last page where it called for her signature.  Using his favorite pen, she signed with her neat scrawl.  Then she grabbed a small paper pad, writing a short note before setting down the pen.  With a sigh, she removed her wedding and engagement rings, setting them on the stack of papers.  

            Opening the drawer where Julius kept his cigars, she grabbed a lighter and ashtray.  Holding the hospital report, she lit the corner on fire and watched it burn before dropping it into the tray.  The paper burned quickly, turning brown and crumbled to ash.  Satisfied, she clutched the ultrasound picture to her chest, tossed the card and left the study.  

            Retreating to the bedroom, she moved to the walk-in closet and stared down her side filled with dresses, skirts, blouses and shoes of every kind and style, none of them hers.  Going to the dresser, she opened the bottom drawer, removing a pair of jeans and a hoodie.  Casting aside her black gown, she changed immediately, feeling better.  Tying on her sneakers, she stood, leaving everything else.  

            Retrieving her purse, she returned to the kitchen.  Digging through it, she claimed her wallet, but hesitated.  Every credit card belonged to Julius.  It was all his money.  He’d probably cancel them all tomorrow once he learned she was gone.  In the end, she only took her driver’s license, fifty-three dollars in cash and her phone.

            Taking one last look around the condo, letting two years of memories run through her mind, she headed to the door.  She opened it, locked it and stepped out, closing it firmly behind her.  There was no going back now as she had left her keys on the counter as well.  With a sigh, she marched to the elevator and took it to the ground floor.  If the doorman thought her sudden departure or new attire strange, he said nothing as she exited the building.  

            Reaching the street, she turned and continued on her way.  Every step that took her farther from her life made it all more real and surreal than before.  There would be no more crying.  She had lived her life trying to please a man who never wanted her, but not anymore.  This was her life and only hers.  Her hand involuntarily drifted to her stomach: our life.  She had responsibilities to the growing life within.  

            The idea of starting over with nothing was frightening, but her parents had done it.  She would too. 

            We’ll get through this, baby. Promise.  

            She was several blocks away when her phone suddenly lit up and played Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony.  Startled, she took it out of her pocket to see Julius was calling.  Macey chewed her lip.  He was probably calling her for a sober ride, or to yell at her again.  Shaking her head, she tapped the dismiss button before tossing it into the trash.  There was no one she wanted to call anyway.  A few more blocks brought her to a bus stop.

            What she didn’t expect was a Rolls-Royce to pull up in front of her.  Macey hesitated, staring in shock as the familiar figure of Augustus’s assistant, Stephen, stepped out.  He didn’t say a word.  Instead, he simply opened the back door and nodded to her. 

            She hesitated, not sure if she should accept the offer, but knowing what little funds she had to her name, she knew she didn’t have much of a choice.  Besides, Augustus wasn’t one to accept no for an answer.  Eventually, she slid into the backseat and watched the city pass by outside as he drove off into the night.