The Cottage by the Sea
Chapter 13 - The Cottage by the Sea
Claire drove to the cottage alone.
She had not visited in years.
Her mother, Helen, raised Claire there after Claire’s father left.
The walls were weathered, but the porch still faced the same endless ocean.
Inside, Claire found wedding brochures, catering samples, and a list of guests.
Several company executives had been invited.
Evan had told them Claire would be abroad finalizing the divorce.
On the kitchen counter sat a framed photograph of Evan and Madison.
Claire turned it facedown.
Then she found an envelope addressed to her.
Inside was a proposed divorce agreement.
It offered Claire a small portion of the company in exchange for silence.
Her signature had already been forged.
Claire sat on the floor and finally cried.
Not because she wanted Evan back.
She cried for the woman who had spent twelve years believing partnership meant love.
When the tears stopped, she called Rebecca.
“Add the cottage to the fraud case.”
May you like
Then she opened every window.
The sea air moved through the rooms like something returning home.
