Page 8 of The Perfect Divorce

“Because not everyone pays for their crimes.” I cocked my head. “As a lawyer, you, of all people, should know that.”

She leaned back in her chair, placing her elbows on the armrests and steepling her hands in front of her face. She was quiet for a moment. I had no idea what she was thinking since her reaction wasn’t at all what I’d expected. I thought she’d be inconsolable and destructive, ready to scorch the earth. But no, not Sarah.

“Why’d you tell me this?” she asked.

“I just figured you should know...I’m sorry.” It took everything in me to offer her my condolences because I didn’t mean it. I sealed it with a sympathetic look, hoping she believed it.

“No.” She squinted. “I know why youthinkyou’re telling me this, Bob.”

“What?”

“You thought I’d freak out, take a leave of absence, get tied up in some messy divorce, lose my focus. And then what? You’d swoop in and take my partnership.”

“Sarah, no. That’s not true at all,” I lied. She had me pegged, always one step ahead, too smart for her own good.

“It is, and it’s exactly why you think you shared this information with me.” Sarah leaned forward in her chair, drawing me in with her intense green eyes. I couldn’t help but stare back.

“But I know why you actually shared it with me.”

I gave her a confused look.

“You want what I want, Bob.”

“And what is it you think I want?”

“Revenge.” The corners of her lips perked up, forming the most sinister smile, instantly putting me under her spell. I knew things would be different between us after that. They couldn’t not be.

“Bob?” Brad says. He waves a hand in front of my face, forcing the past to melt away and my surroundings to return. “Has Sarah ever been violent with Summer?”

“No.” I shake my head.Not with Summer.I don’t say that part out loud, though, because for now, that’s only between me and Sarah.

I sip the mug of lukewarm coffee and pick at my food, selecting a piece of cold bacon.

“What about instances of neglect? Has she ever forgotten to pick Summer up from school? Anything like that?”

I let out a heavy sigh, trying to exhale the guilt and fear that have consumed me ever since I was served with divorce papers. Honestly, I thought Sarah would serve a bullet right through my forehead if she ever found out—so I was shocked that her response to my infidelity wasn’t lethal. And that’s what I’m holding on to. That’s why I think we can find our way back to each other. If she didn’t love me, she would have killed me.

“No, Sarah’s a wonderful mother,” I say.

“Then why do you want full custody, Bob?”

“I don’t. I want my family back together.”

Brad creases his brow. “I think we’re past that. We’ve already met with her and her lawyer three times now, and she’s not budging at all. And have you noticed her list of demands grows longer the more you drag this out? If you continue, eventually, she’s going to want everything.”

“She’s just angry.”

“She’s not though. She’s indifferent, which tells me it’s over. The faster you can accept that, the faster you can move on.”

I stare at him with unwavering eyes. “I can fix this.”

“And if you can’t?”

“Then I’ll fight like my life depends on it.”

Brad cracks a smile. He thinks I’m trying to be funny, but I’m not. I will have to fight like my life depends on it because, with Sarah, I know it does.

SIX

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