CHAPTER TEN – DIVORCE PAPERS

Two days after the disastrous reunion in the park, Jasmine was jarred from her solitary painting reverie by the insistent buzzing of her cell phone. Frowning, she set aside her brushes and palette to swipe at the unfamiliar number flashing across the screen. "Hello?" she answered cautiously. "Mrs. Delacroix?" The crisply professional tone on the other end belonged to a man she didn't recognize. "This is Roger Hines, legal counsel for your husband, Ethan. I'm calling to inform you that divorce proceedings are being initiated on his behalf, and arrangements need to be made for you to receive the paperwork shortly." The bottom seemed to drop out of Jasmine's stomach at the callous statement. She drew in a sharp breath, ice prickling along her veins as the words slowly registered. Divorce. It was really happening. "I...yes, of course," she managed after a prolonged silence. "I'll have my own representation contact you to begin negotiations." "Excellent. We'll be pursuing an efficient