I grabbed the suitcase and placed it down. I stared at it lying open at the foot of the bed. It felt surreal. Just hours ago, I had been in a high-stakes meeting, clawing back my dignity and control, standing tall while Lydia crumbled in front of powerful men. I had just outwitted Madam Kensington at her own game. Now, here I was... hesitating.
She said no goodbyes, but I couldn't help myself.
The letter I'd written to Vincent lay folded on the vanity, next to the heavy, sealed envelope that contained the ten million cedis. The money I had begged, bargained, and threatened to get. The amount he always demanded and flung in my face whenever I asked for a divorce.
I'll take the money, pay for my divorce and leave-that's what I'd said.
But now that I had it... Why couldn't I breathe?
My
