Page 35 of The Redemption of Remy St. Claire

Curious, he asked, “how did you find me?”

“Some kid named Tristan who was living inourapartment. He gave me your address.”

“How did you get here?”

“I walked.”

Crap.“We’re seven miles from town.”

“I’ve been walking since first thing this morning.”

Noon had come and gone a while ago.

“At least let me call you a cab.” Her shoulders sagged and, for the first time, he really looked at her. She was pale, her face pinched. He probably hadn’t been far off the mark when he’d asked her about her pain level. He should’ve at least invited her to sit down.

“I’ll take a cab.”

He was certain she didn’t want to make that concession. “Sit down while I call for one.”

She followed him into the kitchen and sat heavily when he pointed to a chair.

The cab company warned him all their cars were busy at the moment, but would dispatch one as soon as they could. The wait could be up to a half-an-hour.

He turned to Sissy, pausing before pressing forward.

“Will you sign the divorce papers?”

Her apathetic nod terrified him.

“Will you sign them now?” He should suggest she see a lawyer, but he wanted to seize the advantage. God only knew when he’d see her again, and he needed her to sign them while she was sober.

She glanced up sharply. “You have them here? You’ve already had them drawn up?”

“I’m sorry if it seems callous, but I had to do it.” And he had—but it didn’t make him feel less like an asshole.

“Fine.” She glared at him. “Go get your precious papers so we can get this over with.”

Moving swiftly, he made his way to his room. He’d visited a lawyer when Sissy had started rehab. It made him look like a jerk, but he’d been clear in his mind about what he needed to do. He hadn’t expected such a rapid capitulation. He also had custody papers for her to sign, but that wasn’t happening. Taking a moment, he snagged his checkbook.

When he returned, she hadn’t moved. Hunched over, fatigue rounded her shoulders. She looked tired. She looked defeated. He tamped down his sympathy for her because he had to get through this.

Placing the papers and a pen in front of her, he watched as she flipped through them, going straight to the end. She picked up the pen and started signing every place where a sticky indicated where she needed to sign.

“You should probably read them.”

“Why?”

“Because there are things you need to know. How much support I’ll pay and for how long. What the expectations are going forward.”

She glanced up, eyes narrowing. “If I sign these, am I giving up my right to fight for Mira?”

“There’s nothing in there about custody. I wanted them to be two separate issues.” She continued signing next to every indication flag.

“Why are there so many copies?” The question came out petulant.

“One for you, one for me, and one to file with the courts.”

“I take it you’ll be filing these as soon as you can?”

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