Page 2 of Missing Marcus

“I purchased the bedroom set before we married,” he reminded her.

“We bought it together,” she responded, sounding almost hurt.

“I’m sure I can find the receipt,” he replied smugly. “She can have the sofa.”

Gabby glared at him. Knight knew she figured out he planned to decimate her like she had his heart.

Turning her attention to the lawyer, Gabby tilted her chin high and breathed out. “I want my mother’s chest, my car and my clothing. Marcus can have the rest.”

“You share a savings account. The asset will be divided between the two of you,” Mr. Wilkes informed them.

Knight removed the bank statements from his file. “Over the past year and a half, my wife withdrew over forty thousand dollars from the account. We agreed not to touch the funds. The account holds eighty-two thousand dollars. Since she depleted it, I believe I’m entitled to dividing half of what she took and adding it to my total. From my calculations, we each get forty a piece minus her twenty. I’ll be generous. She can take twenty-one thousand.”

The attorney turned to Gabrielle, who appeared slightly stunned by his bold move. Her eyes seemed glassy for a second before she turned away.

“Are we finished? I’m staying with Caroline and Wolf. Can you ensure my portion gets sent to me by the end of the week?”she asked quietly.

What, no fighting? Knight wanted to see her as hurt as he felt, maybe more. Three and a half years of marriage and she wanted him to cut her a check and walk away?

“I’m working. I can meet you Saturday and we’ll close the account,” he informed her.

“I’ll go to the bank today and sign off on my portion of the account and take my half. When you find the time to close it, my name will already be erased.”

“I prefer we do it together,” he gritted out. Knight’s nostrils flared at this passive woman who barely resembled the person he married. He did everything to taunt her into getting pissed off, and somehow, she seemed deflated. No. He was the one who experienced the wind getting knocked out of him.

“I’m not available Saturday. I’ll go to the bank today and sign off on the account. Give the check to Wolf and Caroline, who will ensure I get it.”

The attorney slid the paperwork toward her and Gabby didn’t hesitate to scrawl her name on the bottom line. Her single act spoke more than the words she promised on their wedding day.

Knight hastily scribbled his name while she exited the room. His gut twisted as he watched the woman he loved with all his heart walk away. She never looked back, and it was the only thing he could do.

2

When Gabby returned, Caroline and Alabama met her at the door. Gabby tried to hold back the tears, but one glance at her friends sent her sobs bubbling to the surface.

“Oh, honey.” Caroline embraced her and led Gabby inside the kitchen.

Alabama pulled out a chair for her to sit. “Can we do anything for you?”

Gabby shook her head. “No. I’m not begging him to give me a second chance. Marcus made up his mind and he doesn’t change it often.”

“What if we asked one of our men to speak with him on your behalf? You haven’t told us what happened. We know you’ve felt disconnected from Knight, but what transpired to cause such a drastic decision?”

Gabby folded her hands in her lap. “He hurt me.” At the murderous expressions on her friend’s faces, she hastily explained, “Not physically. He broke my heart. After everything, he believed what he wanted. Marcus turned into someone I don’t think I ever knew.”

Alabama rubbed her back. “What do you plan on doing next?”

“I accepted a position with the Seattle office of Griggs and Sterling Accounting office. They’ll cover the cost to move my things. Once Marcus gives Wolf my savings account portion, I’ll fly to Seattle and hunt for temporary lodging. It seems I didn’t count on him becoming greedy. Listen, I don’t want you to pick sides between us. It’s not fair. Your men became his friends before I came along and I don’t want this to slant their view of him.”

“We’re here for you, too. Every married couple goes through rough patches. Did you at least try talking to him?” Alabama asked.

“We’re way past the mending stage. It’s time to throw in the wrecking ball, tear the walls down and start from scratch. Marcus ‘Knight’ Hutchins can lead his life here while I start a new one in Seattle.”

Caroline frowned. “I respect your need for privacy and we won’t discuss anything you tell us. I’m concerned you’re rushing in the wrong direction. Only a few months ago, you seemed excited about telling him about your degree and new job.”

Gabby gazed at her friends. Sighing, she confessed, “It’s not one thing. I went to school and worked night shifts to surprise him with the news. He was rarely home. Trust me, I’m not complaining. I knew what I signed up for when I married someone in the military. I worked extremely hard and the only time I asked him to show up, he didn’t. Then, he appeared in the middle of the night, and when I woke up, he was gone. It felt like I dreamed the entire thing. In the end, this boiled down to one thing. Marcus didn’t trust enough in our marriage to stop even for a moment and ask the right questions. He made assumptions and drew his own conclusions.”

“You’re welcome to use the basement for as long as you need,” Caroline reassured her.

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