Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 39475 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 197(@200wpm)___ 158(@250wpm)___ 132(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39475 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 197(@200wpm)___ 158(@250wpm)___ 132(@300wpm)
When I hit my desk, I grab my purse from my drawer and dig through it for my cell phone so I can send Noah a message to let him know what just happened. I might not know how my dad or Aiden will react to what just happened, but I do know Noah will be proud of me for standing up for myself.
Just as I finish sending him a text, I hear footsteps approaching. When I look up, I spot Catharine coming my way. I haven’t seen her since I was out with May weeks ago. As soon as our eyes meet, I can tell something is off. She might be dressed in a pretty, expensive jacket, jeans, and boots with her hair fixed and makeup done, but she looks pale and nervous.
“Hey,” she whispers when she’s close. I place my cell on my desk so I can message Noah once I figure out what’s going on with her.
“Hey,” I parrot, then ask, “Are you meeting someone?” I mean, people purchasing property or a home don’t usually come to this location, but what the hell do I know?
“No.” She licks her lips. “I came to talk to you.” She glances around the empty office space. “Do you have a couple of minutes to talk?”
“Sure.” I look at the conference room. When my dad was here, everyone in the office had weekly meetings in there, but it’s been empty since. “Come on.” I lead the way, letting her inside before me and then shutting the door. After we both take a seat at the large oval table, I watch her, wondering what this is all about.
“I don’t even know how to say what I’m going to say,” she says quietly, ducking her head, then I listen to her take a deep breath. “Conner and I are having a baby.”
My spine stiffens—not in anger or shock, but in a what-the-heck-are-you-doing-here-and-why-the-hell-are-you-telling-me-this kind of way.
“I need you to sign the divorce papers he gave you.”
“What?” A laugh escapes, and she lifts her head to glare at me.
“I know he gave you divorce papers. I need you to sign them so he and I can get married.” She rests her hand on her stomach, probably to remind me that she’s carrying his child.
“I don’t know what Conner told you, Catharine, but I’ve already signed the divorce papers.”
“Don’t lie.” Her nostrils flare. “He told me you’ve refused to sign them until he gives you the money you asked for.”
“Is that what he said?” I try really hard not to start laughing, but it’s honestly difficult, given the situation.
“He told me everything.” She sits up a little straighter in the chair she’s in, no longer looking as unsure or ill as she did earlier. “I know you cheated on him and that, even when he forgave you for forsaking your vows, you didn’t stop sleeping around. And now you’re trying to get every single penny you can from him.”
“I think you and Conner need to have an honest conversation about what’s really going on,” I tell her gently because getting upset cannot be good for her or the baby if she is pregnant.
“He’s always honest with me,” she snaps while slapping her hand down on the top of the conference table, making me jump. “For once, think about him and how what you’ve done has affected him.”
Taking a breath, I think about trying to tell her again that I already signed the divorce papers, and that Conner is the one refusing to jot his name on the dotted line, but I can tell by her demeanor she won’t believe me. “All right.” I stand. “I’ll sign the papers.”
“What?” She blinks up at me.
“I’ll sign the papers.”
“You will?”
“Absolutely.” I shrug and head toward the door, ready for this awkward conversation to be over. I hear her get up.
“How will I know you’re being honest about signing the papers?” she asks, stepping out of the conference room as I hold open the door.
“If he doesn’t have them from my lawyer by tomorrow, you can stop by, and I’ll give you a copy,” I tell her, and it hurts me to see her so relieved by my response. I know her trust in Conner is misplaced, but I can see she has to learn that difficult lesson all on her own.
“Thank you.”
“Mm-hmm.” I watch her walk toward the hall that leads to the exit, and as she disappears out of sight, I hope like heck Conner does right by her and the child she’s carrying.
* * * *
Sitting on the front porch, I watch Lola, Louie, Chanel, and Coco wander around in the thick grass of the front yard. When I got home from work this evening, I decided to bring the pups outside to explore—something they hadn’t been big enough to do until now. I wasn’t sure they would take to the change of environment, but from the minute we got outside, they started exploring every blade of grass and haven’t stopped since.