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“No, come on, what’s going on? What haven’t I heard?”
“Oh, I’m sure you would have found out sooner or later. My client was arrested yet again for the murder of his wife and your ex-partner.”
“I guess that explains why he’s not picked up his phone. Hang on, how’s he leaving the country if he’s been arrested?”
“He escaped custody yesterday afternoon. He is currently on the run from the police.”
“So how the hell would he attend this annulment court hearing?”
“I can attend on his behalf seeing as he isn’t going to fight your case.”
“They finally caught him, did they? Figures it would catch up with him sooner or later.” I stop dead as I realize something. “Does Alicia know?”
“Not yet. I’m still figuring out the right way to tell her what’s happening. For now, she thinks Hunter is away on business, which is technically true.” He taps the desk. “My time is valuable. If you want to make it to court today, I need those forms filled in now.”
He slides me his pen. I look down at the form, noticing my hand is trembling.
I manage to get the first words down, but my mind is racing. On the run from the law. Same as Oswald was when I was in Rome. Breached the restraining order and came all the way to Europe to get me. Now he’s dead.
Two peas from the same pod. I sure know how to pick them. Look what happens when I get a free choice in men. I pick the son of an actual mafia Don. I go from a scumbag to an organized criminal. Not just a relationship either. I choose to marry the guy.
And where does that get me? He’s on the run from the law. It might be for the rest of his life. What kind of life would it be for me if I stayed with him? Hiding from the cops forever?
I’m doing the right thing. I sign the last page of the petition. I can’t stay with him, not after his behavior. He’s treated me like his employee, someone to boss around. He’s made clear he doesn’t believe in love. I can’t say I blame him, not anymore. He’s probably right. Look what I thought was love. It clearly wasn’t. It was just lust. It was me being blind to the truth. He’s never going to love me. I’m never going to be his priority. He was using me to get his inheritance, that was all. Same as I was using him to get the money I need to open my store.
Except I didn’t even get that. I come away with nothing. Worse off than when I started as I’m jobless too.
Toby picks the forms up and then puts them into his briefcase. “Don’t you want to read it?” I ask.
“Not my job. That’s up to the clerk of the court. There is one final thing before we make a move. Mr. Lombardi wanted me to pay you for your time. Here is a check.” He reaches into his desk drawer, passing me the folded check.
I unfold it and look at the figures. It’s the most money I’ve ever seen, and I’d be a fool to turn it down. Five hundred thousand. More than twice what we agreed.
I fold it back up and hand it back to him.
“Take it. It’s yours.”
“I don’t want his money.”
“You’re certain? It’s already been allocated, and I assure you he will not miss it.”
“If he wants to be rid of it, he can give it to Catherine. She needs it a lot more than I do.”
“Catherine? As in, the employee fired for stealing from the pension fund?”
“Tell him to give that money to her if he’s got any decency. She’s due any day, and they’ve got almost nothing in that house.”
“And you don’t want to take it and give an appropriate share to her?”
“I told you. I won’t touch a single penny of his. He’s got it into his head I only did this for the money. I can live perfectly without his money. I promise you that.”
“I will inform my client of your opinion on the matter, but I have to say I think you’re making a mistake.”
“And why’s that?”
“He’s not used to having people refuse a favor from him.”
“Is that a threat?”
