From Ruin to Radiance

After leaving the cemetery, Nora headed back to the Payne house and asked her father for the assets that belonged to her.

Rodrick exploded in anger at the request. He pounded the table and yelled, "I haven't even confronted you about the divorce yet. And now you have the gall to come begging for money? Whether you cry and grovel or get down on your knees, go back and beg Ethan for forgiveness right this second!"

Nora didn't even blink. "Too late. I've got the divorce decree already."

As he glared daggers, she slid the contract across the table to him. "I'm only here to claim what's mine. If you won't sign, I'll blow the lid off how you siphoned off the Stanley family's inventory. Don't think I won't. Try me."

"You—" Rodrick's face flushed crimson with rage.

Nora's mouth twitched in a faint smile. She pressed on, "I know about the shares and the house Mom left me. You'll hand every last one back."

Rodrick leaped up. He glared furiously. "Don't get greedy!"

Nora didn't flinch. She pulled a thick folder from her bag and shoved it toward him. "Read these over first. Then decide."

Rodrick snatched the papers. He stumbled back in horror as soon as his eyes hit the contents. "How did you get hold of this?"

Nora ignored the question. Her voice stayed icy. "Sign it now, or rot in jail."

Rodrick froze. Minutes dragged in tense silence. At last, he slumped and scrawled his name on the contract.

Armed with the signed papers, Nora liquidated every share and sold all the estates.

With all that settled, she made one final trip to the Stanley estate.

Ethan wasn't home. Jake and Madison waited, with odd looks on their faces. Word of the Payne family drama had obviously reached them.

Madison shoved the divorce decree at her like they burned. "You're divorced from Ethan. Stay away from here from now on!"

Nora traced the embossed seal on the certificate. Her tone stayed even. "Relax. I can't stand the sight of you either. I'm flying out today, and I won't set foot here again."

Madison blinked. Unbridled glee seeped into her voice. "Then go already. Never show your face around us. You're nothing but trouble!"

Nora met her gaze. Scorn flickered openly in her eyes. "Forgot about the share transfer from our wedding? Part of Stanley Enterprises is mine. The contract spells it out in black and white."

"You've got some nerve bringing up shares!" Jake hopped mad. "You jinx who couldn't pop out a kid in three years. You robbed us of a grandkid, and now you want a payout?"

Madison's hands trembled with fury. "Nora, you're utterly shameless!"

"Your family's the shameless one!" Nora shot back with a sharp laugh. "Ethan cheated first. And you thought I'd walk away empty-handed? Dream on!"

Madison fumed. "No wonder Ethan said this morning his life's biggest mistake was marrying you! We never should've welcomed you into the family. Bossy. Irrational. Brazen as hell!"

Nora's fingers tightened at the mention of Ethan's name. She lifted her chin. Her words cut like ice. "I've got lawyers on it. Expect the summons from court."

She spun on her heel and strode out. Their string of curses faded behind her.

Before she left, Nora stole one last look at the house she'd once chased after. It felt utterly alien now.

She'd never come back.

Lugging her suitcase, she walked away without a backward glance.

That night, Ethan came home with Lilah. A smile played on his lips until something clicked. His voice turned frosty. "Where's Nora? Divorce is final. If she tries to weasel her way back in, don't say I didn't warn her—I'll toss her out myself."

Madison huffed. "She bolted first thing. Morning flight overseas. Swore she'd stay gone for good! That schemer didn't just bleed the Paynes dry on her way out. She's after our shares too..."

Ethan went still.

He'd gotten the outcome he craved. But joy eluded him. A hollow ache bloomed in his chest, like something vital had vanished beyond reach.

Madison rambled on, yet not a word registered for him.

His phone buzzed then.

He picked up. His assistant's voice tumbled out in a rush. "Mr. Stanley, we've got fresh leads on Miss Rosalyn Harper's old suicide case. A witness says they saw the whole thing go down. They've got video."