Chapter 10 - The Papers Beside Her Bed
Nora remained in the hospital for two days.
Her feet were bandaged. Her voice was hoarse. Bruises darkened one arm where Gwen had dragged her back into the apartment.
Liam did not enter her room.
He sent no flowers.
No dramatic apology.
He knew apologies could become another demand placed on the person he had hurt.
Instead, he gave detectives a complete statement admitting what he had done.
He also authorized Mara to release every financial record.
On the morning Nora was discharged, an attorney entered her room carrying a folder.
Nora signed the separation petition without hesitation.
She requested exclusive use of the apartment, repayment of the eight thousand dollars from Liam’s personal funds, and a protective order preventing Gwen from contacting her.
When Liam received the papers, he read every line.
Then he signed them.
His attorney objected.
“You are admitting fault before charges are filed.”
“I am at fault.”
“You could lose the apartment.”
“It should be hers.”
“You may also face criminal consequences.”
Liam looked through the attorney’s office window.
“I left my wife barefoot in the snow because I was too arrogant to listen. I’m not fighting the consequences.”
Nora moved temporarily into Mrs. Alvarez’s apartment while the locks were changed.
Mrs. Alvarez gave her the bedroom and slept on the couch despite Nora’s protests.
“You are not alone,” the older woman told her.
Those words made Nora cry harder than anything had since the balcony.
For weeks, she had carried the investigation alone because she feared Liam would choose Gwen.
She had been right.
But now the evidence was public.
And Gwen was preparing a new defense.
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She claimed Nora had planned everything to steal the trust.
👉 Gwen’s final attempt to escape punishment depended on turning Liam against Nora one more time.
