Page 5 of Making Their Vows
"Are you telling me your parents never visited you? I remember that trips were discussed and planned, including the holidays." Oh, but he never planned to come himself? He can kick rocks.
"They came for a couple holidays and stopped for lunch or dinner a few times as well." If they had to pass by on their way to somewhere else.
"That doesn't make sense." He runs a hand down his face. I may not know him anymore, but I can tell he’s not acting.
"It doesn't need to. We'll set up a payment plan, and as soon as I get a job, I'll start paying you back.”
"You're aware that just a year for the classes alone costs two hundred thousand." Okay, that sounds like a lot. "Are you also aware that if you get a job at a museum or anything of that sort, you'd maybe get seventy-five thousand a year?"
I will be paying this off for the rest of my life. I really have been naïve and stupid.
"I understand, and I'll get a few jobs to try and pay you back."
"I don't want your money."
"What do you want then?"
"My wife."
"Blake, I have never been your wife. Let's be honest here." He holds up his hand with his wedding ring on. I'm still wearing my own as well.
The ring was another thing that had given me hope. I knew he had to have been the one to pick it out. It wasn't just some giant solitaire.
Oh, it's still big. The emerald-cut diamond in the center is likely ten carats, but a halo of smaller diamonds wraps around it and then down the band. It was Lady Merabello's ring, named the Royale Halo. I love it and the story behind it. It is rich with history. Only he would have taken note that I'd desire such a ring.
"You could work for me."
Wait, what? I don't care for the sound of this. No, I need as much space between Blake and me as possible if I ever want to get over him. Working for him would be disastrous.
"As what? An assistant?" I glance back toward the door where she disappeared. I'm not getting a great vibe from her. I might not know shit about men, but girls I got. She has eyes for my husband. Even though he’s my soon-to-be ex, I can’t help the smidgen of jealousy I feel about that.
I push that down. It doesn't matter. He can fuck her for all I care. Okay, I'll care, but I'm not going there.
“A sort of assistant.”
I narrow my eyes on him. The conversation better not be going where I think it is.
“I’m not a whore if you’re thinking—” His hand slams down on his desk, making me jump. When did he get so angry?
"I think the paperwork you brought makes that more than clear." Then why the hell is he so freaking mad? "You think so little of me." Oh, damn. Why does he care? He hasn't considered my thoughts in years, if he ever did. I shrug a response, only pissing him off more. I can see the tops of his ears actually getting red. "Then I might as well live up to that expectation."
"You know what? I don't have to do this with you." I stand.
"Sit down," he orders, a finality to it. Obey or else. My body obeys before my mind. I swallow, wondering what that silent "or else" means, but I might be about to find out either way. "We're going to be making a new deal." I open my mouth to respond, but the glare he shoots me has me pressing my lips together. "We are at a crossroads here." He leans back in his chair. "I want my wife, but she wants out."
"You can't?—"
"I can do whatever I like," he says, cutting me off. I shake my head no. "Whose passport did you use to get here?" The conversation suddenly takes a left turn, or maybe not, as my suspicion starts to rise. "Both parties can be in serious trouble for such an act. It's a federal crime that carries prison time."
"Oh, you're going to toss your wife into prison?" I'll call that bluff.
"No, I have friends in high places now; for the friend, I'll have the embassy go collect her and ship her back here for the FBI to handle." My stomach sinks.
"I stole it from her," I blurt out in a rush.
"I'm sure the Feds will see about extracting that information from her. I can't believe what you say. You're not a woman of your word." I stare at him. I don't know this man any longer. "Are you not trying to go back on our marriage contract?" I suppose he might have me there.
"So you'll hold this over my head? You can't forever. Statute of limitations." I pull that out of my ass, but I'm pretty sure it's a thing.
