Chapter 3

Samantha sat on the edge of the bed, holding the divorce papers that awaited her signature. Her fingers trembled, and her heart was filled with a mixture of emptiness and regret. This was a decision she had been postponing for months, even though deep down she had never doubted it was the only path she could take. Alex… He always told her he loved her, that he would never betray her. But after what had happened—after the way he hurt her—she couldn't trust him anymore. And although she still loved him, she knew she couldn't live a lie.

Desperately, she wiped her face with her hands, feeling as though her entire world had just collapsed. As if everything she had built over the years had crumbled into dust. She took a deep breath, stood up, and walked to the kitchen to call a lawyer.

A few hours later, she found herself in his office—an elegant conference room, minimalist but carrying the weight of serious decisions. When he saw her, the lawyer, a middle-aged man with gray hair and a piercing gaze, stood up from behind the desk.

"Ms. Samantha, I'm glad we could arrange this meeting," he said, shaking her hand, though he noticed something in her eyes that he couldn't quite place.

"I'd like to begin divorce proceedings," she said calmly, though her heart was racing. "It's a decision I can't take back. I need help."

The lawyer nodded, taking the documents and spreading them out on the desk.

"I understand. It's good that you've made the decision. Please, tell me what happened—what led to this."

Samantha told him everything—about Alex, the betrayal, the love she still felt but could no longer carry. After a brief silence, the lawyer looked at her with a serious expression.

"You're brave, Samantha," he said, a note of respect in his voice. "This isn't an easy decision, but it's a step toward your future. I'm here to help."

Their eyes met for a moment. Samantha felt something strange. Even though she was still engulfed in despair, the presence of this man gave her a sense of safety. His confidence and the way he spoke made her feel… a little better. Though it shouldn't be happening, something inside her began to spark.

The lawyer noticed the change in her demeanor but remained professional. After all, she was his client.

After a moment of silence, he offered her the documents.

"These are all the steps we need to take. I'll represent you in this case, but please remember—it's a difficult road. We'll face many challenges."

Samantha took the documents, her fingers slightly sweaty. She realized she had just begun a new chapter in her life. And though it was painful, she knew it was the only way to regain control.

Before she left the office, their eyes met once more. Between them, a thread of understanding emerged—but also something more. Something they both tried to ignore. She knew this wasn't the right time for such feelings, but she couldn't control it.

As she crossed the threshold of the office, she was filled with both hope for the future and fear of the unknown. What would happen next? How would this battle for her life end? She only knew one thing—nothing would ever be the same again.

*

Weeks had passed since Samantha's first meeting with the lawyer. She had started visiting the office regularly to discuss the details of the divorce case. Each meeting reminded her that the life she once knew was slowly slipping through her fingers. Day by day, she grew more convinced that this was the right decision—though moments of doubt still crept in, reminding her of Alex and everything she had lost.

Michael, the attorney, turned out to be not only a competent professional but also someone she could talk to more easily than anyone else.He was understanding, he listened, and he never rushed to judge her choices. His patience felt like a soothing balm on the wounds she still carried in her heart.

Today, once again, they sat across from each other in his office, going over documents. Samantha couldn't shake the feeling that every conversation with him made her heart beat faster.Time seemed to slow in his presence, and she began to see something she hadn't noticed before: safety.There was nothing to fear in Michael. He didn't treat her like someone who had failed.He understood.

"This is our final step before filing the petition," Michael said, spreading a stack of documents on the table."We'll need to submit the application to the court and... set a date for the hearing. We have to be prepared for everything."

Samantha nodded, feeling her hands tremble slightly.After a moment of silence, she looked at Michael.

"And you..." she began, then hesitated, unsure if she should go on."What do you think about all of this? About the case? About me?"

Michael glanced at her for a moment, then at the documents, as if searching for the right words.

"Of course it's a difficult situation. But... your decision to separate wasn't made lightly.I can see how hard you've fought to get to this point. And I respect that."He looked directly at her."But I also see that you're not ready to close this chapter yet. It's going to take time. And space."

Samantha felt her heart race again, though she tried not to show it. She was used to hiding her emotions. His words stirred a mix of relief and sadness inside her.

"Thank you," she said, her voice trembling with a sob she struggled to hold back."I don't know what to do. Alex... he was always my anchor, but... he let me down. More than once.And I don't know if I can forgive him."

Michael pushed the papers aside and looked at her with understanding.

"Samantha, what you're going through is a normal reaction to betrayal.It's not something you can just forget.Trust is the foundation of any relationship, and when it's broken, it's difficult to rebuild.But you deserve to be happy. If this relationship is hurting you, you have every right to look for something better."

There was a pause.Michael leaned forward slightly, and Samantha noticed how close he was to her.At that moment, something between them shifted—a tension that had been building with every passing minute.Their eyes locked for longer than usual, and Samantha felt her heart thudding in her chest.

"You know this is illegal," Michael said quietly, his voice thickening the air between them."We shouldn't be feeling this, especially not now."

Samantha closed her eyes briefly, her body reacting to his closeness.It felt like their conversation had crossed an invisible line.She was hurt, lost—but also... desired.

"I know," she whispered, her voice quieter than she intended.

Michael looked away for a moment, as if trying to find the right words, then slowly shook his head.

"This isn't just a legal matter—it's professional.If anything were to happen, I couldn't stay objective.And that could harm your case."

Samantha knew he was right. It would be too risky. And yet, she was unable to stop feeling like the line between them was becoming thinner and thinner.

Before she left the office, their eyes met one last time that day—filled with unspoken words and the kind of tension neither of them dared to name.

*

Samantha sat on the windowsill in her apartment, staring blankly at the dark, night sky. Rain was tapping gently against the glass, echoing the quiet turmoil inside her. Everything felt surreal—like she was in a movie where she didn't recognize herself anymore.

She wrapped a blanket around her shoulders, trying to find some warmth, though she knew it wouldn't help much. Alex hadn't tried to stop her. He hadn't called. He hadn't knocked on the door. And that hurt more than she had imagined.

Maybe he really didn't care anymore.

A tear ran down her cheek. She had loved him so deeply. She had given him everything she had. And now she was alone.

Suddenly, her phone vibrated. She looked at the screen. Michael.

Her heart skipped a beat. He had been supportive, kind… He had listened without judging. Even though their relationship was supposed to stay strictly professional, he had become someone she could rely on.

She opened the message: "Just wanted to check if you're okay. If you ever need someone to talk to—I'm here."

Her lips trembled. She typed a short reply:"Thank you. I don't know what I'd do without you."

She hesitated for a moment, then sent it.

That night, she fell asleep on the couch, holding her phone close. And for the first time in weeks, she didn't cry herself to sleep.