Page 100 of Heartbroken Husband
I scrubbed a hand along the side of my jaw. “She still thinks this is some business arrangement she’s getting shoved into again and maybe she’s right.”
He frowned. “Did you at least tell her how you feel?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because it doesn’t matter.”
His eyebrows shot up so high, they nearly disappeared into his hairline. “How does it not matter?”
“She’s in the same position she was with Louis,” I snapped. “She doesn’t need pressure from me too.”
Theo stared at me briefly like I’d become the dumbest man alive. “You are not like Louis.”
“That’s easy for you to say, but at the end of the day, his family arranged for him to marry her and he went through with it, which is exactly what I’m doing.” I glanced at my packed suitcases standing next to the stairs. “He and I may not have the same personality, but the situation she’s in with me is the same as it was with him, and that’s just not going to work for me.”
Theo followed my gaze. “Where are you going?”
“Back to Chicago. It’s time to make sure this thing gets wrapped up properly.”
Realization dawned on his face. “You’re having the contract voided, aren’t you?”
I nodded. “I’ll make sure she and the girls are taken care of financially, but that’s where it ends.”
“Don’t do this,” he said suddenly. “You love her, Zach. At least talk to her.”
“It’s up to Adeline what happens this time around,” I said firmly. “That’s the best thing I can do for her. To let her decide. She didn’t get that with Louis and I will not box her in the same way. She needs to have a choice, Theo. No one should have to go through their entire life never getting to choose who they marry.”
Genuine frustration rippled across his features. “You’re crazy if you let her go again.”
“Being in love isn’t worth it,” I snapped. “Trust me. It’s all hurt and confusion, and I’m over it. I refuse to force her into something she doesn’t want and it’s about time I start making a few choices of my own.”
“But I just got here. Let’s at least have a drink and talk through your options. Offer me a glass of water at least.”
“No,” I said. “I’m leaving. You’re welcome to stay and drink all the water you want. Just lock up when you decide to come home, Harley Davidson.”
I grabbed my keys, hauled my suitcases outside, loaded them into the back of the Cullinan, my now empty dad-mobile, and climbed in with Bear right behind me. Theo stood in the driveway, watching me go like he wanted to keep arguing, but his head shook as I drove away.
By the time I hit Chicago that afternoon, I felt like I’d aged ten years during that drive. Adeline was gone and I had to get myducks in a row. After eight years of pining and pretending I could get over it, it was time to take control.
Bear lifted his head from the passenger seat as I pulled into the underground parking garage at Westwood and Sons. He let out a low, gut-wrenching whine, clearly upset about the fact that we’d abandoned the ranch and our dignity in favor of concrete and walls.
“Don’t judge me,” I muttered. “This is how I pay for your fancy dog food.”
He sneezed like he’d developed a sudden allergy to the city, but when I strode into the building, he followed after me. We hadn’t even stopped at home first. I wanted to get this done before I lost steam. I needed to keep moving because once I crashed, I was going to crash hard.
Alex’s assistant barely looked up before waving me through to the executive offices. I walked in without knocking, Bear hot on my heels.
Alex seemed relieved to see me at first. “I’m glad you’re here. I was just about to call you about the Louis situation, but it’ll be easier to explain in person.”
I didn’t blame him for thinking that was why I’d come, but for a change, he was dead wrong. “The wedding is off.”
The words cut through the room like a blade, stopping him cold as he was walking around his desk to pet Bear. “What?”
“I’m having the marriage contract voided,” I said flatly. “I’ve already set up accounts for the girls and one for Adeline. There’s enough there to set the girls up for life and to get Adeline some stability. And in a better neighborhood. She won’t have to worry about money for a long, long time. We kept our side of the deal in protecting and taking care of them. I just don’t need to be married to do it.”
Alex just watched me. I kept talking, afraid that if I stopped, I’d put my fist through one of his windows. I doubted he’d lovethat, and besides, the ball was rolling. I might as well get it all out.
