“You've got a good thing going here, you know,” he said suddenly.“Don't...don't mess it up like I did.”
I looked at him, surprised by the raw honesty in his voice.“I won't,” I promised.“Olivia and this baby, they're everything to me.”
Robert nodded, his eyes suspiciously bright.“Good.That's...that's good.”He cleared his throat, setting down his coffee cup.“I should probably head out.Tell Livvy I said goodbye, will you?”
I wanted to stop him, to tell him he should stay, that he was part of this family too.But it wasn't my place.So I just nodded, watching as he slipped out the front door without anyone else noticing.
My phone vibrated in my pocket.
UNKNOWN
Now's your chance.
I looked up, scanning the room for Wick.Our eyes met, and I gave him a subtle nod.Time to put our plan into action.
“Oh uh, hey, Carter, you're out of bourbon,” Wick announced, his voice a touch too loud.“Wanna run down to the liquor store with me and grab some?”
Olivia started to get up.“There's more in the office, I can go grab?—”
“No!”Wick shouted, making everyone jump.He cleared his throat, trying to dial it back.“That's, uh, not the one I like.Carter knows which one.He can point it out.Let's go, buddy.”
I fought to keep my face neutral.“Yeah, sure, be right back everyone.”
As we headed for the door, I felt Olivia's curious gaze on my back.My stomach lurched with guilt, but I pushed it down.This was for her own good.At least, that's what I kept telling myself.
I climbed into my SUV, Wick sliding into the passenger seat beside me.The silence between us was heavy as I pulled out of the driveway and onto the street.
“You sure about this?”he asked.
I nodded grimly.“It's time to end this.For Olivia's sake.”
We drove across town.It was late evening on Thanksgiving, so the streets were almost deserted.My mind whirred with thoughts of Olivia, of our baby growing inside her.She deserved peace, a clean break from her past.And I was going to make sure she got it.
We pulled up to a modest colonial home, its windows dark save for a faint glow from what I assumed was the living room.I cut the engine, taking a deep breath before stepping out of the car.
Our footsteps echoed in the still night air as we approached the front porch.I raised my hand and knocked firmly on the door.It swung open, revealing Ethan.His eyes widened in shock as he took in the sight of us standing on his parents' porch.
“What the hell are you doing here?”he sputtered, his gaze darting between Wick and me.
“Olivia's done with you, Ethan.It's over.You can sign the divorce papers right now, or I will make your life a living hell.”
Ethan's eyes narrowed.“Is that a threat?”
“It's a promise.I've got resources you can't even imagine.I'll bury you in legal fees.I'll make sure every potential employer in the state knows what kind of man you are.You'll never work in Ohio again.”
Ethan’s throat bobbed, his bravado faltering.“You can't do that.”
“Try me.”
Wick stepped forward, pulling a folder from his jacket.“The papers are right here, Ethan.All you have to do is sign.”
Ethan's eyes flicked to the folder, then back to me.“What's the catch?”
“No catch,” I said.“You get everything.The house, the car, all of it.Olivia doesn't want or need anything from you.”
As I said the words, I thought about how Olivia had never slept another night in their house after she left the hospital.How, piece by piece, all her belongings had found their way to my place.The last boxes—filled with Christmas decorations—had been moved over just before Thanksgiving.
Ethan hesitated, his hand hovering over the folder.“Why would she give up everything?”
