Page 46 of If You Love Me

Summer pulled at my hand. “Come on, Mommy.”

I put on my best smile and shook the thoughts from my head as I followed her.

Summer’s teacher, Mrs. Bird, was very nice. She was an older black woman who had been with the school district for fifteen years. I could tell she loved my baby by the way she fawned over what a good student she was and how respectful and helpful she was in class. I got the opportunity to look at her grades, and my heart soared with pride to learn she was not only an honor student, but she was reading on a seventh-grade level.

Summer showed me around the classroom and introduced me to a few of her little friends before I had to leave.

“You have a good day,” I said, hugging her. “I’m so proud of you, baby.”

“Thank you, Mommy.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

I kissed her cheek and left the classroom. As I headed back up the hall and into the lobby, my gaze crossed paths with Iona once more. She glared at me for a moment before finally disappearing from view. I shook my head as I headed back outside to find Tyrion’s car.

Once we left the school, we headed to the bank. There was still about twenty minutes until it opened, so we waited patiently in an awkward silence. My thoughts kept drifting back to the kiss we shared. That made two at this point. I couldn’t keep doing this. It had only been a few days, and it was a few days too long.

I thought about what my father said about just coming to stay with them. It was a temporary solution to one of my problems. I would be at peace there. I didn’t have to look at Tyrion. Our lips wouldn’t find their way to each other. I didn’t have to deal with Iona popping up whenever the hell she felt like it. It was just the best option right now.

“I’m moving in with my parents,” I blurted out.

Tyrion’s head jerked around. “What?”

“I’m moving in with my parents.”

“Wait a minute. We just came to an agreement this morning, Ev. Can we talk about this?”

“What is there to talk about?”

“The fact that Summer is just getting used to having you home.”

“And she will still have me, but I can’t live with you. I’m going to my parents’, and I want Summer Rose to come with me for a while.”

“Evenie, please—”

“I can’t do this, Tyrion. My mental is going to continue to suffer, and my heart breaks a little more every time I look at you. I understand having a sense of loyalty to the person that gave you a second chance at love. But I’m your wife. You vowed to love, honor, and cherish me. In sickness and in health. For better or worse, until death do us part. I’m not dead.”

“Ev… I’m trying—”

“Just stop!” I yelled, turning to him. “I love you. You’re the only man I’ve ever loved. The only man I’ve ever wanted to be with, and this is killing me, Tyrion. When I came home, all I wanted was my child and my husband. I can’t have both because you went and got a fucking fiancée. So I’m setting you free. File the divorce papers. I’ll sign them.”

I didn’t give him a chance to say anything before I got out of the car. The bank would be open in five minutes, but I couldn’t stomach another five seconds of being so close to him. I paced the parking lot until I saw the open sign being flipped over. Tyrion got out of the car and started walking toward the door. I followed behind him.

Inside, we were directed to an accounts specialist who opened an account in my name. Tyrion had her transfer everything from the savings account he created in my absence into the new account. I was shocked to learn the total was close to thirty thousand dollars. Tyrion had always paid the household bills, so whatever I earned when I worked as an interior decorator was just extra. I used to work for an elite company and made very good money in addition to his salary at the bank.

I wondered if they would take me back? Once upon a time, I’d been highly requested and one of the top consultants. Getting my old job back would at least be a start in feeling like myself again. While I knew I could stay with my parents forever if I wanted to, but since I couldn’t have my old life back, I needed a new beginning.

In the car, Tyrion and I drove in silence for a while until his phone rang. I suspected it was Iona, but it showed an unsaved number on the screen.

He frowned. “It’s the police station in Cayman,” he said, frowning. He answered it on speaker. “Hello?”

“Mr. Lewis? It’s officer Hilbert.”

“Oh, hey. What can I do for you?”

“I was just doing a follow-up call to check in on Mrs. Lewis. How is she?”

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