Vivienne's POV
He came alone.
I had called him the night before after I got home. Told him to come to my mother's house at nine in the morning. Told him to bring a lawyer.
He was quiet for a moment.
Then he said, "I don't need one."
"Charles."
"I don't need one, Vivienne."
I didn't argue. I didn't have the energy and I understood that arguing with Charles when he had decided something was like pushing against a wall. The wall didn't move. It just waited for you to stop pushing.
He arrived at five past nine.
I opened the door.
He looked at me first. Not at the house or the street or anything else. Just at me. A quick thorough look, the kind that was checking something specific. Whether I was alright. Whether the night had been manageable.
I gave him a small nod.
He gave one back
