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“I'm not trying to tell you what to do.” Terry stood. “I just think you should make sure that the choice you make isn't done out of anger or hurt. You're a smart woman. Don't make a rash decision, especially when you both have so much to lose.” He smiled down at the baby. “When I got divorced, I missed my kids so much it almost destroyed me.”
“I'd never deny him his right to see his baby. I know he'll be a good father.”
“Neither did my ex, but they didn't live with me anymore. I wasn't a part of their daily lives. I got to see them every other weekend and one day a week. It wasn’t enough.” His eyes warmed as he looked at Irene. “She’s adorable. Every moment with her is precious. I don't think anyone truly realizes that until they lose it.”
CHAPTER 8: Harker
“You look like shit,” said a soft female voice.
Harker glanced up. Ellie stood in front of his chair in the waiting room. “Thank you. Now, go away.” His world had just fallen apart, and Alison's friend could be a bitch sometimes.
“I shouldn't even be talking to you after what you did.”
“Great, you’re here to castigate me.” He sighed. “Let me have it. It won’t make my day any worse.” Nothing could.
“I should castrate you but”—she grinned—“that was one of Alison’s favorite things about you.”
He laughed. He hadn’t expected that but then the laughter died making the silence even more severe. “I doubt that’s the case now that she's no longer pregnant. I don't think Irene’s hormones will be helping keep her parents together anymore. Shame it didn’t work. My little girl did her best though.”
“So you’ve given up already?” Ellie moved the stuffed hippo and bag containing the nail polish off the seat and sat next to him. “I expected more of a fight from you.”
“The contract is over. It’s time for the divorce.” He waved the envelope in his hand. He’d been staring at the damn thing for hours.
“Yes, the contract is done, but how the two of you go forward is up to you and Alison.”
“You don’t understand.” He held up the envelope again. “Alison served me with divorce papers. Going forward is each of us taking care of Irene on our own.” Each word was like a knife, slicing into his soul.
“I shouldn't tell you this, and I wouldn't if I didn't think you were in love with Alison. You do love her, don’t you?”
“That’s none of your business.”
“Okay.” She stood. “Then I'm leaving.” She walked away.
He should go too. Go home. Get some sleep and then come back later to see Irene. The only problem was that he wasn’t sure when he’d be ready to go into that room without begging Alison to give him another chance, to give them another chance.
Ellie came back. “I can’t believe you were going to let me walk away without hearing what I need to tell you about Alison.”
“There’s nothing you can tell me that will make a difference.”
“You are so arrogant.” She sat next to him again. “Lucky for you, you look beyond miserable.”
“Yeah, lucky me.” Once again, he’d never understand women.
“It is because it tells me that you love her. If I didn't think you did, I wouldn't say any more.”
“Then don't say any more.”
“You’re even worse than Adrian. You think you know everything, but you don’t. I've known Alison for a long time, and there are two things you need to know about her. Well…actually three.”
“I know Alison”—he glanced at her—“but please go on, and then leave me alone.” So he could hate himself and his life in peace.
“Did you know that she's extremely competitive?”
“Yeah.” He almost smiled. “We went through a bit of a competition.”
“Okay. Did you know that she hates, and I mean hates, being forced to do anything? She despises not having a choice.”
“She was given a choice. I didn’t force her to sign that contract.”
