When the Lights Go Out in Manhattan Chapter 13

Just when I thought the dust had settled and I could start my new life, Julian announced our marriage in a company-wide email.

My reaction was swift: I found a new job with a higher salary, closer to my new apartment, within two days.

The afternoon I went to process my resignation, Julian knelt before me on both knees in the company lobby, in front of dozens of colleagues, begging me not to leave.

In the elite culture of Wall Street, this was career suicide.

Julian, still recovering and gaunt, looked up at me with bloodshot eyes.

He gripped my wrist tight, his gaze delirious and obsessed, as if I were his entire world.

"Eleanor, I deleted all of Chloe's contacts. I told my parents to cut off her family completely. I've done everything. I know I messed up. Eleanor, please don't go... I'll die without you."

I pried his weak, sick fingers off my wrist, one by one.

Looking down at his pained, emaciated face, I said only this:

"City Hall Marriage Bureau, Monday. If you aren't there, my lawyer will file with the court."

Finally, Julian understood my resolve.

On Monday, he showed up as promised. We completed the paperwork smoothly.

According to New York law, our uncontested divorce would be finalized in six weeks.

The night he received the divorce decree, Julian drove drunk.

He caused a chain-reaction crash on the Long Island Expressway.

He didn't die, but because he injured people, he faced felony charges and prison time, on top of massive restitution. He lost his job.

And I, holding the two million dollars I received in the settlement, bought a ticket to Patagonia.

I had always wanted to see the glaciers and wilderness there with my own eyes.

After boarding the plane, I realized I had been "sold out" by my friend—Leo had bought a ticket for the same flight.

Seeing my surprised expression, he explained nervously:

"Eleanor, if you're uncomfortable, I'll take the next flight back as soon as we land."

"It's a deal then."

The disappointment in Leo's eyes instantly transformed into bright joy when he saw the corner of my mouth secretly lift.