Page 137 of An Inconvenient Marriage
She nodded. “He was actually the one who figured out that your father took you. Nat, I swear I could practically feel his anxiety through the phone. You can’t fake those kinds of feelings.”
A flicker of hope bloomed inside my chest. I squished it down before it could take root. “That means nothing. He lied to me, Evie. I should have listened when he told me he was no better than my father.”
Stumbling to my feet, I tried to ignore the gaping hole where my heart used to be. “I want a divorce.”
33
Zach
Aweek.
It had been seven fucking days since I’d last seen and held Natalie in my arms. One hundred and sixty-eight hours since she’d walked out of my life and took this beating thing inside my chest with her.
Ten thousand and eighty minutes since I’d lost everything.
And I had no one to blame but myself.
I should have been honest with Natalie the moment those words left my mouth. Hell, I never should have said them to begin with. But what’s done was done, and now I had to make it right.
Whatever it took.
Which was exactly why I sat in the office of Trent’s attorney. This wouldn’t fix everything, but at least Natalie wouldn’t be saddled with her dirtbag of a father’s debt.
And yeah, I knew I should be worried that ending a man’s life didn’t give me nearly as many sleepless nights as my wife walking out on me did, but I wasn’t.
In fact, I’d do it again in a heartbeat to anyone who even dared to harm a hair on her head.
“Mr. Roberts is ready for you.”
I got up and immediately winced. Turned out broken ribs took quite some time to heal.
Ignoring the searing pain in my side, I made my way to Roderick Roberts’ office. He was seated behind his desk, but the moment I entered, he pushed to his feet and shook my hand.
I tried to keep my face straight, but every small up-and-down movement sent shocks of pain from my ribs into my arm and fingers. I almost sighed out loud when he finally released me and motioned for me to take a seat.
“Mr. de la Fuente, what can I do for you?”
Unbuttoning my jacket, I slowly lowered myself into the plush leather and leaned back at an even steadier pace. Once I was as comfortable as I was going to get, I threw one leg over the other and leveled Roderick with a stare.
“I’m here to discuss Trent Stevens’ estate.”
Leaning forward, he plopped his steepled fingers on the desk. “Unfortunately, I’m not at liberty to discuss anything pertaining to Mr. Stevens with you. And honestly, it seems in poor taste that you’d come here looking for whatever it is you’re looking for, considering you’re the one responsible for his death.”
“The police called it self-defense.” My tone was cold, my gaze unwavering. “Check your email.”
Our staring contest lasted for about five seconds before he finally caved and turned his attention to his computer. A few clicks later, his head snapped back to me.
I tried not to smile as I watched the color drain from his face.
“Where did you get this?” he demanded.
Cocking my head to the side, I crossed my arms in front of me. “Does the where really matter more than the fact that I have it?” I paused for a moment, then added, “Or that I have others just like that one?”
He had already been pale after he’d been confronted with the photo of him and a young girl who wasn’t his wife, but when he heard I had more, I could practically see the man shrivel away.
Good.
“Are you ready to talk now?”
