AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“This is Mr Paulson, my attorney.” Chantelle held up a hand as Wade opened his mouth. “And he will address me as I wish, which is by my maiden name. I’m already making steps to change it back. Being called Chantelle Thurston leaves me feeling repulsed.”
Wade’s expression was shifting now. She could see the light going off that this wasn’t simply talking about reconciling. He sat forward.
“If you think you’re getting a divorce from me, Chantelle, then you’re going to be fighting for a long time. I will not sign divorce papers, and I will not have you gallivanting around thinking you’ve got freedom. You’re my wife, and we’re staying together.”
Chantelle glanced at Mr Paulson, who looked mildly bemused. She had warned him Wade liked to control. She leaned towards him and lowered her voice, somehow keeping a smile on her face.
“There is going to be no fighting. Because you are going to give me a divorce. And I’m going to walk away with my head held high knowing that I will be free from you.”
“We made vows at our wedding only four months ago. Did you forget that?”
“You have. Multiple times.” Chantelle sat back. “Don’t try and say they’ve got it in for you, because that’s not going to help. Even if you are telling the truth, the way you’ve treated me and isolated me from my friends and family is not something I’m going to go back to.”
Wade looked shocked.
“You what? I’ve never isolated you!” He turned to Mr Paulson. “What have you been filling her head with?”
“Trust me, this has nothing to do with me.” Mr Paulson crossed his legs and tapped his fingers on his knee. “I’m simply here as a witness. For now. If you fight her on this, I will be representing Miss Mallows in court.”
“Her name is Mrs Thurston!”
Chantelle could see people from the next table looking over. Sighing, she held up a hand.
“Wade, you need to calm down. You don’t want people to see you have a temper tantrum, do you?”
She watched as her husband’s expression froze, and then he scowled and slumped in his chair. He scowled at her.
“You’re my wife. We love each other. After three years, you’re going to throw this all away?”
“I should have thrown this away after Dina and not left two-and-a-half years later.” Chantelle flattened her hands on her thighs. “And I fell out of love with you a long time ago. No matter what you do, you can’t get that back.”
Wade blinked. Then he snorted.
“Don’t be silly. Of course you love me.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because we’re married.”
A sudden laugh from the lawyer made Chantelle jump. Mr Paulson had thrown his silver head back and was chuckling. Wade bared his teeth.
“Does he have to be here?”
“Yes, he does.” Mr Paulson picked up his case from the floor. Opening it up, he placed a slim stack of papers in front of Wade. “Here is a new copy of the divorce papers. We know you’ve received the previous ones and not signed them, so we’re handing them to you now. In it, the terms are exactly the same. An amicable split, Miss Mallows wants no money, just the rest of her belongings. Bills will be organized with a third party - which will be me - and neither of you lose any money.”
Wade looked like he was going to burst a blood vessel. Chantelle hadn’t thought that her soon-to-be ex-husband would actually lose his temper in a public place.
“I told Chantelle and the courier who dropped the papers off that I am not going to sign. I can agree to a separation while we go to marriage counselling. But I’m not going to agree to this.”
“Even though she’s asking for nothing except for you to leave her alone?”
“It doesn’t matter the conditions. I will not grant a divorce.”
Chantelle snorted.
“You treat our marriage like it doesn’t exist. I’m just giving you what you want.”
“I married you because I want you in my life. You’re a long-term girl, dependable and always there no matter what.”
