The Attorney nodded.
Then asked:
“Do you want revenge?”
The Husband frowned.
“What?”
“Clients often arrive saying divorce when they mean punishment.”
“I want out.”
“Good.”
The Attorney leaned back.
“Then we keep this boring.”
The Husband almost laughed.
“Boring?”
“Documents.”
“Accounts.”
“Property.”
“Communication.”
“No social media war.”
“No threats.”
“No destroying her belongings.”
The Husband nodded.
“Already understood.”
“Good.”
“Evidence?”
The Husband handed over the video.
Messages.
Photographs.
The Attorney reviewed.
“Keep originals.”
“Okay.”
“Don't distribute unnecessarily.”
The Husband thought about the three women.
“Too late.”
The Attorney looked at him.
He explained.
The Attorney sighed.
“Not ideal.”
“I know.”
“Also understandable.”
The Husband nodded.
“That doesn't mean repeat it.”
“I won't.”
Within two days, the Wife hired her own lawyer.
That changed how she spoke.
Texts became careful.
Can we discuss the home?
Can we agree on temporary living arrangements?
Can we meet with a counselor before making final decisions?
The Husband responded only to logistics.
Then the Wife asked for seven days.
“One week.”
They stood in the living room Wednesday evening.
The Husband had returned to collect work files.
She wore normal clothes now.
Jeans.
Sweater.
No black dress.
No visible makeup.
“I'll move temporarily.”
He waited.
“But give me one week.”
“Why?”
“To find somewhere.”
“Fine.”
She looked surprised.
He continued:
“Seven days.”
“Thank you.”
“I'll stay at the hotel.”
She nodded.
Then whispered:
“Can we have dinner once before I go?”
“No.”
The Wife’s eyes filled.
He remained still.
She wiped them.
“Okay.”
For seven days, they lived apart.
The Husband worked.
Slept badly.
Met the Attorney.
Opened individual accounts.
Redirected salary deposits.
Changed passwords for his personal services.
Made copies of financial records.
Scheduled a property valuation.
He did not cancel shared utilities.
Did not empty joint accounts.
Did not sabotage anything.
He wanted clean separation.
Not war.
The Wife texted constantly the first two days.