Page 51 of Coff

“What?” Samantha asks.

“The morning of my dad’s funeral. He said now that my dad was gone, he can hit me. I fucking hate him so much.”

Then why are you married to him?

“Divorce him. Then move out of that house. Delaney, you always told me you did what you did to please your dad. But he’s gone. It’s time to start living for you,” the woman says.

Delaney laughs. “Oh, I wish it was that simple.”

“It is!”

“Samantha!” a barista calls out.

I turn my head a little and spot the woman walking up to the counter to grab two coffees. As much as I want to steal a glance at Delaney, I don’t dare.

“Here,” the woman says to Delaney as she sits down. “Now, I know a great divorce attorney. Did you sign a prenup?”

“Samantha, if I divorce him, he will kill my brother.”

“Kill Duke? Are you serious? He never mentioned anything about that.”

There is silence for a moment.

“Why would Duke tell you?” Delaney asks.

“You know how he complains about things. Figure that’s something he would have complained about to you when I was around.” She takes a sip of her drink. “Oh wait, does Duke know? Maybe he can take out Nelson first.”

Actually, that’s not a bad idea. Maybe someone needs to clue Duke in.

“Not an option. This isn’t just about Nelson. It has to do with two families coming together. It’s why I married him in the first place. And now, I’m trapped.” Delaney sniffles.

My first instinct is to comfort her, but I remain still.

“Don’t think that way. We’ll come up with a plan. Okay?” Samantha says.

“I love your optimism, but I’m afraid there are no options here. I’m just thankful he doesn’t want to have sex with me. At least I don’t have to endure that.”

“That is good, but it sucks that you are missing out on enjoying your prime years without someone you want to be with,” Sam says. “Oh! I have an idea.”

“No. I know you and your ideas. No.”

“No, you’ll love this one. I know how we are going to end your marriage.”

Delaney stands directly behind me. “No. I’m not risking Duke’s life. I’ve got to get back to work. Walk with me?”

Samantha’s chair squeaks. “Fine. But when you’re ready, just know I have a plan.”

I stare down at the table as they walk past. Once I’m back in my car, her words go through my head over and over. She hates her husband and has a sexless marriage. She feels trapped. Well, fuck. I hated the idea she could just move on from me, but now, knowing she’s trapped and miserable, I don’t think I can walk away.

CHAPTER6

Delaney

I love Samantha,but when she thinks she has a great plan, well, she doesn’t. I finally broke down and asked her what she was thinking as we walked back to the office.

Her grand idea was to figure out who hates Nelson and pit the two against each other. Basically, she’s suggesting murder but keeping our hands clean. I told her she listens to too many true crime podcasts and said goodbye.

Now my mind is racing. If Nelson wants to divorce me, then that would solve our problems. How can I convince him to do that? If he fell in love with someone else, perhaps? But I don’t think he’s capable of love. No, I need another way.

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