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I look at Roman. He nods and smiles back.
"That sounds good," I say.
"The laws aren't perfect, but they're a start," Jocelyn says. "A guilty sentence can result in up to twelve months in jail, and victims can sue for compensatory and punitive damages, as well as attorney’s fees."
Jocelyn tips her head at me and smiles. "And I can be very,veryexpensive."
I sure hope she is. "So, what do we do?"
"Our best approach is to petition the court for a no-fault divorce with an equal split of all combined assets, including the house. Since you have no minor children, we just need to prove you've been separated from your spouse for six months with a separation agreement in place."
"We've been separated for longer than that, and I'm pretty sure I filed a separation agreement at the time."
Those first few days and weeks after I discovered Bailey had been cheating on me are such a blur now. The shock of what he'd been doing behind my back rocked me to my very core. I was in a daze, but I'm pretty sure one of the guys mentioned getting a separation agreement. Thank god they were there and that I listened to them.
"Good. We'll look into that. Then I'll reach out to Mr. Chadforth's legal team and petition to get this resolved as quickly as possible.
"Great. Thank you."
"In the meantime, and I cannot stress this enough, do not have any contact with Mr. Chadforth."
"Oh, believe me. He's the last person I want to see."
* * *
"I've made a decision," Roman announces, stepping into the living room two days after our meeting with Jocelyn. He's holding Joey close to his chest. The other kittens are playing all over the living room. I put down the vet magazine I've been reading and smile. I think I know what he's about to say, but I don't want to deprive him of his big announcement.
"Go on."
"We've been having some pretty heavy conversations."
My smile grows bigger. "And byweyou mean…"
"Me and Joey, duh." Roman winks at me with an adorable grin.
God, he really is an incredible man. Kind. Compassionate. Caring. Strong. With all the stuff swirling around me at the moment, he's been my rock. I bet he doesn't even realize. Because that's just the kind of man he is—he does good things without the need for praise, or even acknowledgement.
"We talked it out. Joey here offered what he said would be the one and only apology he'd ever give me in this one of his nine lifetimes for the way he treated me at the start. I accepted it, because hello, this face."
He lightly brushes his finger over Joey's nose, and he lets out a contented meow. Joey does, not Roman, and my heart blooms in my chest at the sight of this big tough guy melting over a gorgeous little kitten.
"He's agreed to let me be his cat daddy. Also, that was the negotiated-upon, one and only usage of the word daddy I'm permitted. I shall henceforth be known as the scooper of poops, the cleaner of kitty litter boxes, and the provider of treats and scratches."
I chuckle as something wet starts running down my face.
"Locky?" In three giant strides, Roman is on the couch next to me. "Why are you crying?"
Shit. I'm crying? What the hell?
I start wiping the tears away. "Good tears," I manage to get out. "Happy ones."
"You know." Roman holds out Joey and I take him, cradling the ball of black fluff against my chest. "I'll need to raise it with the little dude for final approval, of course, but there's always the option of adding one more name to the adoption paperwork."
My eyes cut to his. "You serious?"
"Completely. You don't have to decide now. Take your time and let me know what you—"
"I'll do it."
