Escape to Solace

Diane's POV 

My eyesight became blurry as tears flowed down my face, but I was too stubborn to care. All I knew was that I had to get out of there, away from the devastation of my life, away from Sophie, away from Liam.

The sun was sinking as I pulled into Joan's driveway, casting a pink and orange glow over the sky that seemed to mock the gloom eating away my heart. With a worried expression on her face, Joan was already standing on the porch. She knew just one glance at me. She just threw her arms around me and hugged me hard.

At that point, the dam burst. My body erupted into uncontrollably sobbing as I fell into her arms. "They... he... Sophie..." Though I was unable to speak clearly, Joan was able to understand.

She stroked my hair and mumbled, "Shh, its okay." "You're safe now. Release everything."

And I did. I sobbed for the lost future, for the sister I believed I knew, and for the marriage I believed I had. Joan supported me the entire time, her presence a bulwark against the tempest of my feelings.

When my sobs calmed into hiccups, Joan gently guided me inside. The beach house was precisely as I remembered it: snug, pleasant, and full of memories from happier times. Now, it felt like a safe haven, a place where I could lick my wounds and attempt to make sense of the turmoil that had become my life. 

Joan took a seat next to me on the comfy sofa and poured me a drink. "Explain everything to me," she murmured

So, I did. I spilled the entire sordid story: finding out about Liam and Sophie's affair, and the nasty things spoken. felt my chest's weight lessen, even if it was only little, with every phrase.

Joan mumbled, "Those bastards," her eyes glimmering with resentment. "Liam has always been too slick for his own good, but Sophie? your own sister? That's a new low. 

I nodded as new tears welled up my eyes. Joan, how could they have done this to me? Was I really such a bad wife that Liam turned to my sister? Was I really such a bad sister that Sophie would turn on me in this way?" 

Joan took hold of my hands and made me turn to face her. "Listen to me, Diane. You are not to blame for this. Do you hear me? Not at all. Your. Fault. Liam and Sophie made their decisiom. They are the ones that abused the privileges and broke your trust. You never did anything to deserve what they did to you. 

I wanted to believe her, but doubt gnawed at me. "But maybe if I'd been more attentive, if I'd seen the signs earlier..."

"No," Joan said firmly. "Don't go down that road. It'll only drive you crazy. What's done is done. The question is, what are you going to do now?"

I blinked, realizing I hadn't thought that far ahead. "I... I don't know. Everything's such a mess. Liam controls majority of our assets. The prenup... oh God, Joan, the prenup!"

I was overcome with panic when I recalled the binding contract I had signed prior to our wedding. In the throes of young love, I assumed it was merely a formality, now loomed like an illusion, threatening to take everything away from me.. 

Ever the lawyer, Joan was already in problem-solving mode. "All right, let's consider this. Although powerful, the prenuptial agreement is not infallible. particularly if we can present proof of Liam's infidelity. Do you have any proof?" She asked,

 "No, not yet." I replied 

Ok then, Tell me about your joint investments and the business's finances now."

I felt an odd calmness descend upon me as we dug into the specifics of my soon-to-be ex husband's empire. Spreadsheets, legalese, and strategic thinking were all familiar ground. It felt a lot like working on a hard case, only with me as the client. 

We pored over documents and worked up plans for hours. Our planning discussion took place against the tranquil backdrop of the breaking waves, as the sun had already set.

"Diane," Joan stated abruptly, breaking my flow of thoughts. "Have you considered that Liam may try to play dirty? He's got a lot to lose here."

Though I hadn't, the idea made my skin tingle. Is Liam going to be any different in a divorce if he was brutal in business? Joan went on, "We have to be ready for anything." Character assassination, hidden resources, and the works. Liam is not going to give up easily."

It struck me again how serious the situation was.This isn't about just dissolving a marriage; it was about hanging on and taking back what was rightfully mine. "What do we do?" With a low voice, I asked.

Joan had a determined look in her eyes. "We use fire to combat fire. Did you say Liam owns the majority of the assets? It's about time the playing field was leveled. I've got a few suggestions." 

I was excited and afraid at the same time as Joan described her plan. Her proposal tread carefully on the border between lawful and illegal. But hadn't Liam gone beyond that boundary already? Had he not broken every promise and commitment he had ever made to me? 

"Are you sure about this?" Even though a part of me was ecstatic at the idea of going the other way around on Liam, I asked Joan.

Joan maintained a steady focus on me. "Diane, you are my best friend." I've seen you pour your heart and energy into that marriage, into creating Liam's company. You deserve your fair share, and if Liam believes he will manipulate you out of it, he's in for a surprise." 

Her words reawakened in me a burning determination that I had lost. For too long, I'd been the supporting wife, constantly putting Liam's demands before my own. No more. 

"Okay," I replied, squaring my shoulders. Let's do this. "Where do we start?"

Joan grinned, a predatory gleam in her eye. "First, we need to get incriminating photos of them, text messages and secure copies of all financial records before Liam has a chance to doctor them. Then, we'll need to…"

As we plotted and planned into the wee hours of the morning, I felt a shift taking place inside of me; the broken-hearted woman who had arrived at Joan's doorstep was being replaced by someone stronger, someone determined to fight for what was hers.