Page 9 of Blind Prophet

When I walked away from Dorian, I walked away from our mutual friends, too. I exited his world, or more like fled. “If he ever ran into a mutual acquaintance, which is doubtful, that’s what he’d hear.”

“You’re lucky you didn’t have kids with him,” Stella says. Her eyes widen. “Do you have kids?”

I half-chuckle. “A child would’ve shown on my health insurance forms, Stella.”

“Unless they were on his. Someone that wealthy probably has an executive health care plan and doesn’t need health insurance. His net worth is what? Over two hundred billion?”

Hmm. That’s true. I don’t remember what he did for health insurance. We had private doctors from a concierge healthcare practice. The best of the best. I’d walk into a medical practice, and they knew me. I never showed a card or paid for anything.

“How do you think he’ll react when you knock on his door?” Stella asks.

“You mean show up at his gate,” I correct. Is this impromptu cocktail hour more of a second prep meeting than curiosity about my dinner date?

I glance between the two women. There’s no reason for me to bottle this inside. If Stella ran a full background report on me, she’d pick up on it quickly.

“He’s expecting me. Either me or a lawyer. I’m sure he’s wondering what’s taken me so long.”

Sophia cuts her eyes to me. She’s quick. Always has been.

“Your divorce still isn’t settled? I’ve heard of divorces taking years…my parents, for one,” she says, clearly doing math in her head. “I told you if you needed money, I’d give it to you.”

Her exasperation is almost endearing. As if borrowing money from a friend, or my parents, is an easy choice.

“I know it sounds crazy.”

Stella’s mouth forms a circle. “Honey, how many years have you been dealing with lawyers?” she asks.

“I moved out when I was twenty-four. I’m thirty-one now.”

“Honey.”

I let out a sigh. “I haven’t fought him because he could easily out-lawyer me.”

“So what’s…” Stella’s confused expression is almost comical. At least, it would be if the joke wasn’t on me.

“After I left, I thought he’d send divorce papers. He didn’t. I eventually found a website, you know, one of those that still cost money, but it’s way cheaper than a lawyer?” They both nod. “Let’s call it GetADivorce.com. I don’t really know what it was, but I mailed him the papers. I figured his lawyers would take one look at it and they’d mark it up or whatever, and I’d sign whatever he sent back.”

“But?”

“He sent an email stating that I owed him half of this land I inherited. It pissed me off.” I meet Sophia’s gaze. She remembers this. She has to. I fumed to her for hours.

“You’re still fighting over that land?”

“Not exactly.”

“What do you mean?”

“I told him I disagreed. Via email. I clarified that by waiving my rights to the amount stipulated in the prenup, he should waive any claim on the land I inherited during our marriage.”

“And?”

“Nothing. I never heard from him.”

They’re both staring at me like I’m a fool, and I get it—I’d give them the same treatment if the situation were reversed.

“I should’ve followed up. I understand. I probably should’ve hired a lawyer, but I figured there was no need. I thought he would meet someone and need the divorce. He’d send me papers to sign, and it would be over.”

“What about taxes?” Sophia asks.

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