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“You can keep your car, and I’ll split the money with you once I sell the house.”
“No!” cried Vanessa. “I won’t let you do this!”
“Let’s make this process as painless as possible.”
Weeping inconsolably, she paced the living room. “Tell me there’s no other woman.”
“What?” Noah scowled.
“Tell me you’re not rushing for a divorce because of another woman.”
“It’s not because of another woman,” he sighed in frustration.
“I have one last request”—she wiped her tears—“tell me you’re not in love with me anymore.”
“Why are you making this harder on yourself?”
“I need to hear you say it.”
Turning away, he stared out the window again and thought of Aria.
“Just say it, Goddamnit! Tell me the truth!”
After a long pause, Noah opened his eyes and faced his wife. “I’m not in love with you anymore.”
A daunting silence fell upon them. Vanessa stepped closer to her husband and searched his lifeless gaze, desperately hoping his confession had been false. But he was telling the truth.
Collecting herself, she stopped sobbing and wiped away the black tears that had smudged her face. “Thank you for your honesty. I’ll sign whatever you need after a paternity test is done.”
“Fine,” Noah replied. “We’ll get you in vitro tested. Make an appointment with your obstetrician.” He picked up his briefcaseand headed for the door, but before he walked out, he looked back at Vanessa and said, “I’m still going through with this divorce. I’ve got you on camera, and I’ve got a witness. Don’t forget that. If you try to fight me on this, you will lose.”
“I don’t want to spend my life with a man who doesn’t love me anymore, so don’t worry, I won’t fight you on this.”
“Good.”
Check and mate.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
ARIA
Evan dropped by in the evening to visit, which was nice because I had missed him. However, I hadn’t seen Noah all day, and I had the faintest feeling he was avoiding me. Maybe the fact that my stepmom was pregnant had changed everything between us. It sucked my optimism right out of me. My misery was all-consuming as I pretended to pay attention to what my mother was saying.
“… I’ll be back in the morning,” she said to Evan. “Are you sure you have no plans tonight?”
“I’m sure,” he replied. “Get some rest, Natalie.”
“You guys don’t have to do this every day,” I said. “I’m fine now.”
“We’re your family, Aria.” Mom smiled. “And families stick together during a crisis—no matter how dysfunctional they may be. I’ll be back in the morning.”
After my mom left, Evan held my hand and asked, “How do you feel today?”
“Okay, I guess. I just want to get out of this hospital more than anything.”
“Patience, love.”
“That’s not exactly my best virtue.”
