Chapter 4 The signature

Elara stood inside the front door of the thorne's estate. She had just returned from the hospital. Damien came into the living room from his office study there was a brown file in his hands. Dressed like he was ready to go out.

“You are back,” he said, his voice without emotion, or concern.

“Yes, Damien, I am.” Elara's voice was low and also without emotion. He crossed the room and came close to her.

“I need to know if you signed the corporate resolution document. The attorney emailed yesterday. The deadline was moved up. Did you receive the revised agreement?”

Elara looked at the paper in his hands. Then back at his face, “I was in the hospital, Damien.”

He sighed with an impatient tone. “Yes a minor fender bender, correct? That should have been handled by your assistant, not by you taking up space in a private room.”

“I specifically told Clara to make sure the documents were signed and returned to the courier before noon.”

“That resolution is holding up the entire East Wing deal. Do you have any idea how much this delay is costing us?”

“No,” Elara replied, “I don't but I can guess.”

“Well, it's costly. That's what matters. Did you sign them or do I need to send someone to the hospital to get them, for you to sign on it?”

“They are my hospital bag and no, I did not sign them. I was unconscious for seven hours, Damien. Then I was undergoing testing.”

“Elara you are Unbelievable." Damien said with frustration running his hands through his hair.

"This is exactly what I wanted to avoid Elara don't add to my problems. The company is facing immense pressure from Victor Lee's sudden arrival. I need you to handle this simple domestic task and manage my calender.”

“I was unconscious, Damien, after crashing my car against a concrete pole.”

“And I told you to drive carefully. It was careless, and now it's affecting my business schedule. Look, I don't want to talk about hospital issues right now. We have much larger problems than a few bruises and cracked ribs.” he said looking away.

Elara took a slow breath. This was the most important question she would ever ask him. “You received the call from the doctor confirming my admittance. They tried to reach you for over six hours according to the nurse.”

Damien frowned. “Yes, I received a message. An assistant handled it, routed to the personal line. I was informed you were stable and that the concussion was minor. What is your point?”

“And why did you not visit? I was told you didn't come to the hospital once, not for the initial discharge.”

Damien looked at her like she had gone crazy. “Elara, you are acting unreasonably. You had a minor concussion. You were perfectly stable. I couldn't leave Seraphina. She had a fever and needed constant attention. She needed me to be there.”

He paused. “She was quite delicate. And she relies on me.”

“I see. Elara stated.

“Good. Now that we have cleared that up, we need to discuss the future.” Damien kept the corporate documents on the nearby table.

“Frankly, this marriage has been a mistake. It isn't good for either of us. And with Seraphina now in the picture, it's become…complicated.”

He looked straight at her. “I want a divorce, Elara. We need to end this now, without a mess.”

Elara simply reached into the bag she brought from the hospital and brought out a crumpled document. “Is this the set of papers you had your lawyers draw up last month?” She asked.

Damien blinked, thrown off balanced by the question. “Yes, but I didn't know that you had seen them yet. Where did you get it?” He asked.

“It was under a book in the study near your desk. She walked to the table. It seems convenient to sign it now. It saves us both a negotiation.” She unfolded the paper and signed her name boldly.

Then pushed the paper back to him. “There. It is done. I believe your lawyers will want a notarized copy, but the initial agreement is sealed by my hand.”

Damien looked at the document and then at her. He expected her to cry, beg, and maybe some financial battle.

“Right. Good.” He cleared his throat. “Am happy that you are matured about it, am going to compensate you for the time you were married to me.

“My legal team will prepare a good settlement package for you. The Miami condo, a monthly allowance, and a substantial lump sum. I will make sure that you are comfortable.”

“No, that will not be necessary” Elara said.

“No?” He repeated after her.

“I will not accept compensation for three years of service, Damien. I am not a paid employee neither was I a liability.”

“We both know you require every liquid asset you have now. Given the ongoing pressures on Thorne corps and the recent stock volatility, retaining cash flow is important.

He frowned realising she had been paying more attention to his business than he thought. “That's none of your business. You will take the settlement.”

“I won't.” Elara replied, standing up to Damian for the first time since their marriage,

“I want only two things from the house. First, my passport. I need it for travel.”

“Fine. And the second,” he demanded, expecting something expensive,

“The small silver jewelry, the one I gave you on our first wedding anniversary, the one you keep in the safe, in the master bedroom.” Damian looked blankly at her.

“That tacky little jewelry. The silver chain with the geometric pendant? Why would you possibly want that? It was insignificant

“It's sentimental,” she replied. “It was the first gift I ever bought for you after the wedding. Give it to me now and I'll be gone.”

“If It's insignificant. You can have it. But Elara, you are making a mistake refusing the settlement.”

“My mistakes are no longer your concern, Damian. Give me the items I want.”