Chapter 34
MAY.
A document lands on the table in front of me and I halt as I stir my tea, peering at the words written on the page. “What is this?” I ask Ethan without looking up at him.
“An agreement,” he answers, pulling out a seat opposite me. In my peripheral, I notice that he is wearing blue suit pants, a white shirt and a navy blue waistcoat. The jacket is hung around the chair’s shoulders and he sits, resting his head against it.
My eyes scan the document and my fingers clench as I read the first few lines. I push the document back. “That is utter nonsense.‘
Ethan looks at me, his grey eyes colder than they were last night. “Why? Since you can’t seem to stand the sight of me, I thought I’d do you a favor and get this done.” He points at it, though his eyes never leave mine. “You do not have to fulfil your marital duties to me. I have no claim over you. You can leave if you want to, I won’t stop you. Be with whoever truly makes you happy.”
“Why are you saying these things to me? Be with whoever makes me happy? Claims? What in the world are you talking about?!” I say, and I hate that my voice quivers.
He goes on like he can’t hear me. “Our finances will remain separate. Of course, if things are needed in the house, you may let me know and I will give you what you need to restock. Other than the provisions I have to make as your husband, you will receive nothing more from me!”
I drop my teaspoon. “Have I ever even asked you for anything? I don’t want or need anything from you.”
But Ethan doesn’t stop talking. “And in the event that we get divorced, you can have the house, but nothing else. If Grandmother tries to offer you anything, you will turn down her offer. You will not have access to mine or grandmother’s assets.”
What assets, I think. The ranch he is building with his life’s savings? This apartment? Even if I were a gold–digger who wanted to take from him, there’s literally nothing to take.
It is why it hurts me deeper than it should. That he thinks me capable of that behavior. That he thinks I want to take from him. That he has to go all the way to have this written in bold speaks a lot.
I will my fingers to stop trembling, and I take the paper from him. “This is what you want?”
“Yes,” he answers without missing a beat and I take the pen beside him, pulling the cover off.
“You didn’t need to go through all this trouble. I have no plans of taking from you and I never will. But, thank you. At least, I know and understand my place in your life now, and what you think of me.” I don’t let him respond before I sign the bottom of the sheet that has my name
Chanofs
written in bold, “May Ethan Chase!
As if the name was truly mine.
Ethan snatches the pen from my hand so suddenly, it causes me to draw a line on the paper. 1 stare up at him, but his eyes are on the document. “You signed it.”
He says it like he is unable to believe that I did that, “Yes. Why? Is there a problem?”
He takes the paper, scrunches it up and groans low in his throat before straightening it again. How could you sign it? Does the idea of being my wife right now irritate you so much?”
Christ, I’m confused, “I don’t understand. You brought these papers to me, explained to me in very clear detail what you wanted and what you didn’t want. I signed it and now you’re mad at me for doing what you wanted?”
He slams the file down on the table and storms out of the dining room without another word and I stare at his retreating form.
Why is he mad? Isn’t this what he wanted or have I misunderstood?
****
ETHAN.
I didn’t think she would sign it. I had thought I’d get lectured on how terrible I am as a husband and maybe insensitive too.
But she took the pen and signed on it so freely, without even hesitating. While I am content in knowing that May doesn’t want me for my money, it still hurts to think that….she doesn’t care enough not to sign it and tell me we’d walk through it all.
That’s the only reason why I had brought the papers. To get her to talk about all of it, scream at me if she found it comfortable to.
I thought she would go through it and tell me she didn’t want to stay away from our marital affairs, and she wanted to walk through it all with me.
If she had said that, I would have told her the entire truth. Who I am, how much money I have and the reason why I kept it hidden from her.
But she’s signed the document and there goes my chances of fixing things.
My phone rings and I stare at the screen. I don’t answer. Not after the first or second ring.
On the third, I hit the green button and bring it to my ear. “Neil–”
“Want to grab a drink later?”
I start to say no, but I hesitate. What else do I have to do anyway? Picking up my jacket, I start towards the door. “Is this still about Tina?”
Chapter 34
“No,” Niel says, and his words are followed by a sharp grunt. “Maybe. I don’t know. I’ve never had a woman cheat on me before. I’m not even sure how to handle all of this. So, until then, I
will drink.”
“Sure. I’ll meet you there,” I tell him as I step outside of my room. May’s on the couch,
watching something on the TV, chuckling softly at it. I walk past and she does nothing to acknowledge me, and while she would normally enthusiastically wish me a good day at work, now, it’s like I don’t even exist.
I walk outside and shut the door behind me. Yes, I could really use that drink.
