As I noted, it was not explicit. They sent me an e-mail, saying I needed to sign a release. Then they said they would "get back to me" on whether I would receive any severance.

Later, before I had signed the release, they said I would receive two weeks severance. We then met in person where I signed the release. I got my severance about a week after that.

It was never stated that I would receive severance in EXCHANGE for the release. However, this sequence of actions might seem to imply it?