Page 117 of Peaches & Pistols

“Wh-what? It’s done?” That’s impossible, it’s been barely a month since we signed the paperwork.

“It’s finalized, signed and sealed by the judge. As official as official gets.”

“But, how?”

James had extensively discussed the waiting period after filing for divorce, even uncontested, so how could…

Greyson flips through the documents and shaking his head, his shoulders tremoring with laughter.

“Let’s just say it paid off having friends in high places.” He points to the filing date, and it shows early January…but we filed the petition mid-March…

“According to these officially recorded documents, you passed the mandatory waiting period and were granted the divorce with no questions asked because he didn’t contest the agreement or bother to respond whatsoever,” Greyson says with smug satisfaction.

“I’m…divorced?” My lower lip trembles.

“You’re as single as they come, honey. Well, as single as you can be considering you’re engaged to me.” His wink makes me laugh despite my overwhelm.

“And Everly?” I’m too scared to find out but I have to know.

“He’s been erased from Everly’s life, legally and literally. She’s free from him and his fucked-up family,” Greyson assures me.

That’s what dissolves me into tears. My baby, my innocent, ever patient and optimistic child is free from the monster that was no more than a sperm donor.

“Aw, honey. Don’t cry. This is the best news.” Greyson rubs my back gently.

“These are happy tears.” I sob, convincing no one, but he chuckles anyway.

“You know what that means then,” Greyson prompts, eyebrows raised high. I shake my head because I have no idea what the hell this means.

“Check your online banking.” He grabs my discarded phone from the coffee table and sets it squarely in front of me.

I shake my head in disbelief as I enter my username and password and navigate to my accounts.

“HOLY SHIT!” I drop my phone like it’s on fire.

“Goddamn it, if that son of a bitch didn’t send the amount he agreed to, I’ll leave right now to shake it out of him,” Greyson barks with masculine indignation.

I turn the phone so he can see the most recent deposit into my account.

He calms immediately. “That’s what he agreed on. Talk to me, Mia.”

Greyson holds my hand, grounding me with comfort. “I can’t accept that. It’s way too much and it makes me feel dirty, like I’m being paid off for the years I suffered at his hand.”

“No, honey. It’s not nearly enough. And fucking right you’re being compensated for the pain and suffering you endured. You deserve this and so much more,” Greyson insists.

“What if I don’t want his and his family’s dirty money?” My lip curls in disgust.

“Then you donate it to the charity or cause that he’d hate the most.”

I whack Greyson in the chest, chastising him for being ornery. His deep laugh lightens my mood, as does the kiss he places to the back of my hand he caught mid-air.

“You don’t have to decide right away. We’ll do whatever you want, honey.”

“I’ve thought about what I’d like to do, but I never thought he’d actually pay a settlement. I’ll need James’s help drawing up some documents.” My decision solidifies the more I mull it over.

“He’s at your disposal, anything you need.” Greyson moves my hair over my far shoulder and rubs the back of my neck deliciously.

“I want to put 25 percent of it away for our future. You take such incredible care of us, but if I’m able to contribute financially, if only as a safety net, then I’d like to.”