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“What?” I blurt, stunned.
“I don’t blame you for your reaction. You’ve only ever known me as a conniving bitch . . . well, apart from the one night we spent together.” She shrugs. “I’m really sorry . . . for everything.”
Surprised, right now, is an understatement.
“I never expected to hear any of this. I came here today prepared to be kicked out after I’d had my say.” I sit forward and rest my elbows on my knees, watching her. “What’s brought all this on?”
It’s as though someone else has taken over her body.
“I’ve done a lot of thinking since I had . . . a visitor, yesterday.”
I raise a brow in question.
She offers a small smile. “Your mom can be very persuasive.”
My mom!
“I can see your confusion. Your mom visited and pleaded your case. I’m not going to tell you what she said, other than she made me spend the rest of the day thinking about the past. I can’t help but think about the life you must have lead because you’re stuck with me as a wife,” she says, sadness lacing her voice. “I would have made an awesome wife.”
I pause, and then answer, “Yes, you would have.” I’m not sure I’d have given her the opportunity to try, especially once I found out she’d lied about being pregnant.
She chuckles. “You’re a bad liar.” Becoming solemn, she adds, “We wouldn’t have lasted. You wouldn’t sleep with me, so when you discovered my lies, you’d have been out of there without a backward glance—we both know that—but thanks for that.”
“What I don’t get is why you’re having all this,” I wave my hands around in an effort to find the words, “soul searching or whatever you want to call it.”
I like puzzles and working them out, but she’s the biggest one yet. I didn’t think it was possible to have her about turn with her pain-in-the-ass attitude of previous.
“Your mom said a few things that hit a nerve.” She starts coughing, and points to her nightstand toward the water.
Reaching for the glass, I hold it while she takes a sip through the straw before she waves me away.
“I need to sleep now,” she says, catching her breath, dismissing me.
“Okay,” I mumble, surprised the visit is over as quickly as it started.
As I watch her eyes close, I’m not sure what to do or say.
My brain has been jumbled since I stepped foot in the house.
“Just send the papers.”
My heart jumps.
“I’ll sign them. Take care, Ryder.” She starts to drift off to sleep.
I step close and for the first time since the night we spent together, I lean forward and willingly kiss her on the forehead. “You take care as well . . . and thank you.” I kiss her again.
Pulling away, I notice the lone tear sliding down into her hair, which causes me to hesitate. “I’m sorry,” I whisper before turning and walking through the door.
I rest against the wall outside her room feeling uncertain, and like I’m abandoning her. I shouldn’t feel like this after everything, but seeing her so defenseless makes me feel like the biggest bastard in history.
Who asks his wife for a divorce when she’s in a hospital bed looking like she’s fading away?
Fuck!
Without thinking, I slide down the wall and end up on my ass with my eyes closed and my head resting against the wall.
I feel someone join me.
