Page 88 of Sinner's Binding
“Kati, stop this nonsense. Be reasonable. Why are you allowing strangers to tell you what to do?” Dad asked.
“These strangers, as you call them, have shown me more kindness and friendship than you have in our entire marriage, Savar. Either we record this, or you can communicate through my lawyer. What is it to be?” she challenged.
For the first time in my life, I saw my dad concede to my mom. Mom sat in a chair, and Delphine sat in the other chair next to her. Poe stood behind Mom. That left Arish andDad no choice but to sit on the couch. There was no offer of refreshments. It wasn’t a social call.
“Say what you have to say, Savar, then leave,” Mom told him.
“I’d like to speak to you alone,” Dad replied.
“Well, I don’t. Savar, you have five minutes,” Mom explained.
You could tell Dad didn’t like her standing her ground, but he gave in.
“I know that things got a little mixed up between Sameer and Anastasia. Arish and I were only trying to ensure she was well cared for by someone who understands tradition and family legacies. We were upset when she abruptly stopped seeing Sam and let some stranger into her life.
“However, none of that has anything to do with us. We’ve been married for thirty-eight years. You don’t just throw away a whole lifetime together. And what do you think you’ll do out there in the cold world all alone? How will you support yourself? I’m your husband. You need me. I provide companionship, financial support, and family stability.”
“Actually, I don’t care whether I have companionship outside of our daughter, Reign, and the numerous friends I’ve already made. They will sustain me. I don’t need a man to make me happy. I had one, and he wasn’t capable of it. I won’t waste my life looking for one who can. As for money, I have a job, and I make more than enough to live comfortably.”
“A job? Since when?” Arish asked.
“Since your sister grew old enough to take care of herself. I fit it in between her school commitments when she was a teenager. After she left home, did you really believe I was just sitting at home doing nothing but cooking, cleaning, and waiting for your dad to come home? If so, how silly. I have a very successful business.
“Oh, and before you think of going after it in the divorce, remember when I married you, your parents made me sign a prenuptial agreement stating that anything made before or during the marriage remained the sole property of the person who earned or owned it. It wasn’t to be considered communal property. They thought that would keep me from ever divorcing you because they believed I’d never have anything of my own. I guess you were all wrong.
“I’ve spent thirty-eight years submitting to you. Allowing you to dictate not only our lives but also our children’s. I suppressed my needs and desires for nothing. Those days are over. Anastasia helped me to see that there is a way to be happy. Nothing you say or do will stop the divorce. Save us the hassle and heartache and sign it, Savar.”
Dad sat there, shocked. Arish came to his feet.
“You won’t see your grandkids if you divorce Dad!” Arish threatened.
“I love my grandchildren, but if their parents choose to be petty, then that is the way it will be. Maybe when they turn eighteen, they’ll come seeking to know me. However, I won’t be without grandbabies. Reign and Stasia will provide me with some. And they have friends who have them. I can give them my grandmotherly love. I’ll grow old watching them live their lives,” Mom fired back.
Poe bent down, put his hand on Mom’s shoulder, then whispered in her ear. Whatever was said made her smile and blush.
“Who the fuck is he? Why is he always around you?” Dad demanded to know.
“Who he is isn’t any of your business, but I will say, he’s a friend and protector.”
“He needs to stay away from you and keep his hands off you! You’re still my wife! I won’t allow you to shame our family or me with your loose and immoral ways,” Dad shouted.
Mom stood up. Delphine came to her feet.
“This meeting is over. You got to have your say. We’re only going around in circles. I will not change my mind about the divorce. Subject closed. You need to leave,” Mom said with finality.
There was more arguing, and at one point Poe and Delphine had to get in Arish and Dad’s faces, with Mom holding her phone, ready to dial 911 before they left.
Since then, there have been a few email attempts, but nothing else. Things were progressing with the divorce. Dad was fighting it all the way, but we were assured he’d lose. Reign and I supported Mom however she needed us to.
The court hearing for Rowan’s forgery and loan was drawing nearer. As if that wasn’t enough, we signed the paperwork, and the building we lived in was ours. Reign had already found an architect to draw up the renovation plans. I couldn’t wait to meet with him to go over what we wanted. What else was in the works, though it would take a lot of time, was the expansion of Caldwell Catastrophes.
My life had never been this hectic before, but despite the bad things, the wonderful parts were outweighing them. I had found the love of my life.
Sinner: Epilogue Four Months Later
Shit was finally falling into place. The renovations to our penthouse were almost halfway complete. We loved going in and seeing the changes that happened from week to week. We tried not to go every day, but it was hard not to when it was right there.
The entry was totally changed. When you got off the elevator, there were four doors to enter. The walls had been pushed out and a double door inserted, creating a whole new entrance into what is our place.
