Page 90 of Love Beyond the Illusion
My nose pricks and my eyes water with an impending waterfall of tears that are on the verge of breaking through. “You neverneededme. You may have thought you did, but you don’t need anyone. You’re incredible all on your own,” I interrupt him in a whisper.
“Thank you.” He wipes a single tear from the side of his eye. “You have been so much more to me, and I want you to know how grateful I am.”
“I’m happy to have helped.” I wrestle with my hair and push it to the side of my shoulder as heat builds on the nape of my neck. “There’s no need for me to come back, is there?”
Jack drops his head in his hands. “I was able to handle the money situation this morning,” he states without answering the question. His avoidance gives me everything I need to know. And it shatters my fragile, bleeding heart. He doesn’t know how to have this conversation with me.
The payment completely slipped my mind. “Ah yes, I forgot about that.”
Jack leans back, removes a folded piece of paper from his pocket, and holds it out before us. “It’s a check for the exact amount we agreed on.”
My payment.
The payment I get for devoting myself to him. A simple transaction that sums up our entire relationship. My payment for cuddling him, caring for him, supporting him, comforting him, and letting him claim me. My payment for falling in love with him and the hurt it will cause.
“Thank you,” I say, without taking it.
Jack sets it on the thick comforter on top of the bed. The one that we’ve made love on multiple times. It’s the same one that we’ve laughed on. It’s the same one we’ve played on.
Snuggled on.
Slept on.
Talked on.
Fuck, I can’t breathe.I quickly rise from the bed, placing one hand on my stomach while keeping my back to him.
“Also,” he continues, “I have my lawyer, Tom, working on our divorce. You should be receiving the official papers in the next few weeks. All you should have to do is sign.”
I rub my lips together and swallow hard, trying to keep down the bile that’s creeping up my throat. “Alright. Thank you.”
“I know, this is uncomfortable,” he says, picking up the check from the bed. “I’ll put it in here.” He gets up and slips the check into the front pocket of my travel bag. Rocking back and forth on his heels, he shoves his hands into the front pockets of his jeans. “I guess I’ll give you some space to finish packing. We might hit some traffic, so we’ll have to get on the road soon.”
The minute Jack walks out of the bedroom, I slump against the side of the bed. Taking a minute to gather myself, I return to the floor and continue packing. It doesn’t take me long before all my belongings are cleared from the bedroom, closet, and bathroom. What a whirlwind this has been.
Rolling my luggage behind me, I walk out of the room to find Jack sitting at his usual spot, typing away on his laptop. He has his square-frame black glasses on with one piece of hair falling onto his face.Fuck.
“I’m all set,” my voice is pinched and distant.
He glances up at me, then slowly closes his computer. “Okay.”
A short time later, Jack and I arrive at the airport. We haven’t spoken since we left the villa.
“Can I walk you in?” he turns to me as he shuts off the engine.
I nod with a half-smile.
He helped me with my luggage as we entered the elevator. The distance between us is unbearable, but it will make things easier when I say goodbye. The elevator doors open, and Jack lets me exit first.
Suddenly, he stops walking. “This is as far as I should go.”
Turning toward him, I fight back an emotional breakdown. “Probably a good idea.”
“Uh, so I hope you have a safe flight.” He crosses his arms at his chest.
“Thanks,” I reply, keeping my eyes on the ground.
I expect him to get back into the elevator, but he continues standing before me. “Can I kiss you one last time?”
