I kick off my shoes and lie down beside her on top of the covers. She immediately curls into me, her head on my chest, her arm across my stomach.
"Thank you," she whispers.
"You're welcome."
Within minutes, her breathing evens out. She's asleep. I lie there in the dark, one arm around her, staring at the ceiling. I think about Asher. About the look on his face when Julie kicked him out. I think about Julie. About the way she broke down in the foyer. About the way she stood by the fire, watching everything burn. I think about how much I want to protect her. How much I want to make sure she never hurts like this again.
But I can't protect her from the past. I can't undo what Asher did. All I can do is be here. Now. In this moment, helping her process the evil shit the man I believed was my best friend did to her.
So I hold her while she sleeps and watch over her. And I promise myself that no matter what happens next, I'm not going anywhere. She's not alone anymore. Not as long as I'm here.
CHAPTER
FORTY-FIVE
JULIE
The burner phonerings the next afternoon. I'm sitting on the couch in the West Seattle house, staring out at the street. Jamie is in the kitchen making tea. Ryan is at the dining table with his laptop, reviewing Marcus's surveillance report for what must be the fifth time.
The number on the screen is one I recognize: Gregory Hale. My stomach drops.
"It's Dean's attorney."
Ryan looks up. Jamie comes out of the kitchen, tea forgotten.
I answer on the third ring. "Hello?"
"Mrs. Stevens." His voice is calm, professional. "I hope I'm not catching you at a bad time."
"Um, no. No. Now is fine. But please call me Julie."
"Got it. I have a few questions for you, Julie, if you don't mind."
I swallow. "Okay."
There's a pause, and I can almost hear him choosing his words carefully. "First question: Is it safe to assume there aremarital issues? Is that why you're using an alternate phone number and asked me not to call the house?"
My throat tightens. "Yes."
"I see." Another pause. "Second question: Is the marriage repairable? Or is it over?"
I don't hesitate. "It's over."
Jamie's hand goes to her mouth. Ryan's eyes snap to mine, wide and alert.
"And to be clear, I don't care about Dean's gift or the conditions that came with it," I continue, my voice steady. "I don't care if I lose my business. The marriage is over."
There's a sharp intake of breath from Jamie. Ryan stands up from the table.
Gregory is quiet for a moment. Then he says, "I understand. Third question: Are you safe? Do you need security? I’m able to get that for you if you need it."
"I'm safe," I tell him. "I have people with me I trust."
"Good. That's good." He exhales. "Julie, I need you to call an attorney and file for formal separation and divorce. Make it official. I can recommend someone if you'd like. If so, I will call and tell them to prioritize talking to you."
"Yes. Please."
He gives me a name and a number. It’s one of the people I already called, which I think is good. I write it down on a notepad Ryan slides across the coffee table.
