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[assassinrue]

Phillip waited until everyone passed through before he went. He was busy scheming about his future.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Back in her home city, Olivia took a deep breath and turned to wait for Phillip to come through the portal. When he did, she stepped up to him. "Well, does that conclude our business?" she asked formally.

[assassinrue]

Phillip glanced down at her without moving his head. He looked at her a long moment, nodded his head once, then began to walk away.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Olivia watched him go, her heart heavy. She didn't want to send him away, but she did it time and time again. She kept telling herself that it was because his life would mean more if he stayed where he was instead of running off with her, but deep down she knew that part of it was that she liked torturing herself. She felt like she deserved it.

[assassinrue]

His wife was expected home tonight. Phillip sat in his office chair, bourbon in hand and waited.
Dawn entered hours later in silence, the only sounds she made were her key in the lock and her heels clicking and she carried her bag to the bottom of the stairs.

"Dawn, come in her." He never ordered her around. They never really spoke actually.

Her steps were extra harsh as she made her way down the hall and stopped in his doorway, leaning against the door frame like she had all the time in the world. "What?" She snapped.

"I would like us to begin the divorce process. Seeing as I will not be allowed to keep my position with a divorce in progress, I am going to begin the process of finding my replacement. If you would like to keep any of your assets I suggest you start packing and move out by tomorrow night. I would also suggest that we make this as easy as possible so that the divorce ends quickly and as on...best terms as possible. Do you understand?"

Dawn nodded once the turned and rushed up the stairs. He knew what he was doing to her, but she was the one who wanted his power, he had never wanted anything to do with it. The whole process would take many tedious, long months. But in the end, it would mean Olivia, it would be worth it.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Olivia returned home to her apartment and wearily got ready for bed. It had been a long day, especially after climbing that freaking mountain to get into Saint Adrian's Hold.

[assassinrue]

Phillip stretched out in his bed, enjoying the clean sheets the maid had put down while he was gone today, and enjoying, perhaps too much, the sounds of Dawn leaving his life.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

The next morning, Olivia got up and went about her daily routine. Jobs and clients, fixing people's problems and averting crises. Another day in her life.

[assassinrue]

Phillip set up meetings to begin the process for finding a replacement. A lot of questions were asked and nearly none were answered. There was a young man who had a fresh face but a lot of experience. He´d be a good replacement, he´d bring the order into this century.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Olivia focused all her energy into her work, so she didn't even hear about the news that was stirring in the wizard community. When she finally did hear the rumors from a 'friend' in the loosest sense of the term, she almost dropped the drink in her hand. She pulled herself together and carefully set it down before facing the woman. "What did you just say?"

[assassinrue]

Phillip felt satisfied with his choice, and the collective mumbling of the rest of the council agreed. Rick Lawson would be Phillip's apprentice until his time came. And the moment Rick took his place, the world would know about his divorce. The months would be long, but he was ready and eager.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

"Word is Mr. Orville has been searching for a replacement," the woman said. She sounded excited, not because of the news but from the pure thrill of sharing gossip. "I guess he's leaving his position."

Olivia sucked in a breath. Phillip would only be leaving the Order for one reason, and she doubted the rumors were false. Knowing that he wanted to was enough for her to confirm that it was true.

[assassinrue]

By the time Phillip got home, Rick trailing behind him, Dawn was gone. Rick placed his paperwork on the dining room table and Phillip went to grab them each a cup of coffee, they had a long night of paperwork and research ahead.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Against her better judgment, Olivia showed up at his house that night. She took a long time to ring the doorbell, and even after she'd pressed the button, but seriously considered just leaving before he could open the door. She didn't, though, because Olivia Donovan didn't run away. She'd come here, and now it was time to follow through.

[assassinrue]

Phillip tiredly squeezed Rick's shoulder as he passed him to answer the door. He flung the door open and froze. "Liv." His voice was all tired surprise and a hint of happiness.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Olivia gave a small, tight smile. "Can we talk?" she asked.

[assassinrue]

"Uh, yeah." He glanced back over his shoulder, "Follow me." He walked back through the hall towards the bed rooms.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

Olivia followed him, using all of her skill to remain calm and composed, when inside her heart was pounding. What would she say to him? She'd thought of a million things on the way over, and now she was unsure. She hated when he did to her, how his presence made her mind stop working and screwed with her gut.

[assassinrue]

"What'd you want to talk sbout?" His voice was right and his body language stuff, he knew it, but he couldn't allow himself to look hopeful.

[ᴄʀʏsᴛᴀʟғʀᴏsᴛ]

No point in beating around the bush. "I heard you were quitting the Order," she said.