“I just wanted to let you know that Alec confirmed he could talk at eight forty-five. I just thought I’d let you know.”

“Thanks.” Cora’s voice squeaked a little. “I’ll be there in fifteen minutes, then.”

Cora did not want to have this conversation at work. It felt unbalanced and inappropriate. But Alec had bounced all of her calls and refused to accept any time outside of work to meet in a café Cora suggested. She had the uncomfortable feeling that he wanted to have the meeting where he sat in a position of power.

Instead of leaving like Cora had figured she would, Tia eyed her. It felt like her mother was staring at her. “How are you going?”

That tone was too soft and too caring. Sometimes, when Cora thought she was fine, all it took was someone asking that question with that look and with that intonation to make Cora realise that no, no she wasn’t fine. A lump formed in her throat, and even with eyes that were suddenly prickling for no reason, she smiled. “Yeah. I’m fine.”

Tia crossed her arms. Looked down at her with raised eyebrows that weren’t about motherly recrimination but concern. “Once more, with feeling.”

Swallowing heavily, Cora looked to her screen for a respite before looking back at Tia. “I’m fine, really.”

“Okay. But just know, honey,” Tia straightened, ready to walk away, “you don’t have to be.”

She left Cora with the lingering feeling of wanting a hug.

* * *

The wood was hard under Cora’s knuckles, biting at them as she knocked.

“Come in.”

Slipping into Alec’s office, she closed the door behind herself and sat in the chair across from him.

“Hi, Alec.”

He sat stiffly in his chair. His suit was crisp, his hair neat and styled perfectly. But his face was drawn, with blotches of darkness under his eyes. “Good morning.”

For a moment, they simply watched each other. There was something uncomfortable about it, uneasy. It was like they were waiting for the other to start something.

Finally, Cora said, “I spoke with a lawyer.”

The sigh Alec gave was exhaustive. Long. “Why?”

“About the divorce, Alec.”

“We aren’t getting one.”

So this was how it was going to go. “We will be.”

A muscle ticked in his jaw. “You can’t leave me, Cora. It’s not fair. I didn’t do anything. You can’t prove grounds for a divorce.”

Getting into the reasons of their divorce wasn’t something Cora really felt like doing. It was a dance they’d done for too long, and Alec had a defence, an excuse, a blame for everything Cora said. “I don’t need to prove grounds for a divorce, Alec. Not in Australia.”

He leant back in his chair and watched her. “I’m not signing anything.”