Page 4 of Protecting His Ex-Wife
I keep my face stoic, but the casual way she dismisses our vows is like a blade to the heart. Caroline begged me for a divorce. She begged me to set her free from the military life. I did it for her. I only ever wanted her to be happy. But that doesn’t mean that I’m going to disregard my vows.
Caroline may have remarried, but I’ll only ever make that promise to one woman. I take my vows very seriously.
“A vow is a vow,” I tell her, earning another eye roll. “I’ll leave now if that’s what you want. But I will never stop protecting you, Caroline.”
“Like you protected our daughter?”
It’s a dig at the fact that Amy has recently hooked up with my best friend Leo. It’s a low blow and a real sticking point. I wince at her words, and Caroline’s expression immediately softens.
“I’m sorry, Tony. I know that’s not your fault.” She looks away, and when she looks back, all the anger has left her features. “I’m not thrilled at having a son-in-law that’s older than I am, but I’m getting used to the idea.”
I run my hand over my smooth head. Yeah, it’s been a lot to get used to, and to be honest, I’m not sure I’ve forgiven Leo yet either.
“You and me both.”
We share a rare moment of agreement, brought together, as always, by the love we share for our daughter.
“She is happy, isn’t she?” There’s a note of vulnerability in Caroline’s question. I know how much she misses Amy since she moved out here eighteen months ago.
I think about Amy. She’s always been a cheerful girl, but for the last few months since she’s been with Leo, she’s been glowing.
Whenever they’re together, they’re always laughing and sharing some private joke.
She moved out of my place and into his, and even though I hate the idea of my best friend having his hands on my little girl, I have to admit that they’re good together. They remind me of the early days with me and Caroline.
“Yeah,” I admit. “She’s happy.”
Caroline relaxes. “At least something good is happening in the world.”
It’s not like Caro to be so down, and I’m about to ask about it when her phone rings. She looks at the number and stifles a groan. I wonder if it’s Paul, and I have a sudden urge to throw the phone in the street.
“I got to take this.” She gives me a pointed look. “But this has to stop, or I will call the police.”
I give her a serious nod, like I’m going to obey. She answers the phone and immediately squeezes her eyes shut. I can’t hear what the person is saying, but it sounds like she’s getting chewed out.
She glances at me, her expression pained.
“You okay?” I mouth.
She covers the receiver and puts on a smile that doesn’t reach her eyes.
“I’m fine. Just a customer.”
She walks across the road with the phone pressed firmly to her ear. Since when do customers make Caroline so tense?
I drive slowly away, watching Caroline in my rearview mirror. Once I’m out of her street, I drive to the nearest car rental.
If my ex-wife thinks I’m leaving her unprotected, then she doesn’t know me at all. She may have moved on, but when I make a promise, it’s forever.
3
CAROLINE
The cotton sheets are sticky with perspiration, and I fluff them up, trying to find a bit of relief in this heat. Traffic noise seeps in through the open window, bringing nothing but a warm breeze with it.
Angry email subject lines dance through my mind, and I squeeze my eyes shut, willing my brain to still. But thoughts of irate customers and an almost zero bank balance fill my mind.
My sleep has been restless ever since I found out what Paul had been doing with my business and kicked him out.
