36. Chapter 35
T roy
Troy had expected Jenna to need time. He had told himself that she was angry, that she needed to cool off, that once the dust settled, things would go back to normal.
She would come back, and then he would apologize for being a terrible husband.
They'd argue, they'd find a way to move forward. He was still in denial.
So, when Olivia showed up at his office in person, he wasn't concerned. He had known Olivia through business circles, but he never considered that she might be involved in any of this.
He didn't expect her to place a thick manila envelope on his desk and fold her arms across her chest. "You've been served, Troy."
Troy stared at the envelope, the words not fully registering. "What?"
"Divorce papers." Olivia's voice was clipped, controlled, but there was an edge of something sharper beneath it. Disapproval. Maybe anger.
His stomach dropped. "You're her lawyer?"
Olivia didn't blink. "Yes."
He let out a short, incredulous laugh. "That's ridiculous. Jenna can't want a divorce."
Olivia's lips pressed into a thin line. "She does."
"She just needs time," Troy insisted as he repeated the narrative in his head, "She'll be back."
Olivia's gaze was cold. "She's not coming back. "
Troy's stomach twisted, but he forced himself to stay calm. He shook his head. His next words were shaky with desperation. "She knows about the prenup. My father made sure of the conditions."
Olivia's eyes flashed with disdain, and she leaned forward, her hands braced on his desk. "Oh, don't be an idiot. After twenty years of marriage, that prenup is not worth the paper it was printed on. However, you are in luck. She doesn't want anything, Troy. That's the whole point."
That gave him pause. "What?"
"She wants nothing but her laptop, her art supplies, and her car-which she's willing to pay off in instalments," Olivia bit out. "She's left everything behind, even her jewellery. Even her wedding rings."
Troy felt the blood drain from his face. He had taken to carrying the rings in his wallet. His chest tightened painfully. "That doesn't make sense."
Olivia let out a harsh laugh, devoid of humour.
"No, what doesn't make sense is you thinking she'd stick around after the way you treated her.
Troy, I have watched your family treat her like shite while you looked away, pretending it was not happening.
And your children need to be taught manners with the aid of a whip and chain.
You have let Lila waltz into your life like Jenna was just some placeholder. "
His head snapped up. "Lila has nothing to do with this. She means nothing to me "
"Oh, please." Olivia rolled her eyes. "Jenna might have been quiet about it, but everyone saw what was happening.
Your mother practically shoved Lila at you, and you let her.
I have my ear to the ground. The office staff assumes you two have been having an affair for years, and Jenna-Jenna, who spent twenty years making excuses for you-finally has had enough. "
Troy could not meet her accusing eyes, "This is all happening too fast."
Olivia's expression turned scathing. "No, Troy. This has been happening for years. You just never noticed."
He was still reeling from her words when she reached for her bag, her voice calmer now but no less cutting. "You should be thrilled. Isn't this what you wanted? Your mother and Lila have got what they wanted. Jenna had moved aside with the minimum fuss. Lila's available. Why aren't you happy?"
Something heavy and ugly curled in Troy's gut.
Because the truth was, he had never thought of Lila that way.
He had been vaguely aware of her crush when they were young because Grant used to tease him about it.
He had even enjoyed the admiration back then , but she had never been an option, never been real in his mind.
And now Jenna-his Jenna-was walking away without a second thought, without a demand, without even a fight.
His voice was quiet when he finally spoke. "She deserves half."
Olivia stilled, her sharp eyes scanning his face. "What?"
Troy swallowed hard, his voice firm now. "Jenna deserves half of everything. I won't let her walk away with nothing."
Olivia studied him for a long moment before exhaling sharply. "Then prove it, Troy. Put it in writing. But I am not sure that's going to change anything. Jenna seemed quite determined."
Troy ignored that and said "Let's start with the prenup. But I want something from Jenna if she wants a divorce."