by C L Cruz
“Well, then my father loses, and everything goes back to how it was.” He smiles at me, calm and confident, and then presses his lips to my forehead in a chaste kiss that feels nothing like the passion he greeted me with. “I just want you to know that I see you. I appreciate you. And I’m going to give you a huge bonus for handling all this,” he assures me.
I nod numbly, when really, I want to scream. I don’t want a bonus. I want forever with him. Tears sting my eyes. “Thank you,” I whisper, afraid to speak any louder, not wanting to let on that I’m upset.
He stands. “I’m going to go get a shower.”
I nod again, but he isn’t looking at me. It’s like he’s already put me behind him. I roll away to the very edge of my side of the bed, tears of disappointment dripping onto my pillow with hollow thuds.
♦ ♦ ♦
When I wake the next morning, his side of the bed is already cold. There’s a note in the kitchen that tells me he went to the gym and then to an investor meeting, and that he’ll meet me at the courthouse this afternoon.
Court.
Right.
I dress in the nicest outfit I own—a navy skirt suit from Neiman Marcus—and make my way alone to the office. After getting situated, I pull up the email from Cody Washington. “Documents Requested,” reads the subject line.
Ms. Delaney,
Attached please find all requested documents in preparation for court this afternoon.
Sincerely,
Cody Washington
Attorney-at-Law
I open the attachments, the first of which is a Notice of Expedited Hearing. I click through the briefs, only skimming them as I print them. Then, I click on the final attachment which is some kind of form identified only by a series of numbers. I hit print before the title really registers—Petition for Annulment. In the matter of Weston Kingsbury versus Quinn Delaney. I close it quickly, not wanting, or needing, to see anything else.
That’s why he wants me there. He doesn’t need me to testify or want me there to support him. I’m not named in any of the documents. There’s no subpoena summoning me to court. He wants me there so that we can erase our marriage from the record, as if the last week never happened at all. As if he never knelt before me and asked me to marry him.
Our marriage will be over…today. Everything will go back to the way it was. We’ll see each other every day at work until I realize I can’t handle it anymore and find a new job, one where I don’t have to see his cocky, beautiful face every day. And I’ll be just a blip in his memories while I struggle to forget about him and what could have been.
How could he not think to bring this up? I know how. Because he hardly ever thinks of anyone but himself, doing only what he wants and what benefits him. Had I really fooled myself into thinking that he cared about me? Just because he gave me a few orgasms and a nice place to live for a few days?
I call the realtor and ask her about my apartment.
“It rented out already, isn’t that incredible?”
My heart sinks. “How long is the lease?”
“Six months, with the option to renew.”
Resentment flares, making my heart race. Where am I supposed to stay? I don’t want to impose on any of my girlfriends. They don’t really have the space, anyway. The only one who might is Helena, but she just sold her place to move in with Jasper. I would only be in the way. Then, I think of maybe my most unlikely ally.
It only takes me a minute to find Regina Kingsbury’s number in the company contacts, and after a few deep breaths, I call my mother-in-law with shaking fingers. When she answers, I ask if her offer to let me stay in her guest room still stands.
“Now, you know you’re welcome to come stay with me, but first, tell me what’s going on.”
I sag against my desk. “I’m moving out. He’s in court today. Once the contract is thrown out, we won’t have to be married, and then…that’s that.” I try to act like it doesn’t matter.
She obviously doesn’t buy it. “What makes you think he wants to end the marriage?”
I shake my head even though she can’t see it. “This wasn’t a love match. You know that.”
“Maybe it didn’t start as one, but that doesn’t mean it has to end that way. I’ve never seen him happy like he is with you.”
“He’s happy because he’s getting everything that he wants. I can’t be here and have him come home only to tell me to pack up and move out. He’ll probably have movers here before he’s even out of the courthouse. It’s just…” I trail off, surprised to feel hot tears burning in my eyes again. I thought I’d cried them all out last night.
“You have feelings for him,” Regina says.
I sniffle and swipe at my eyes, embarrassed. “I do,” I admit. “And I was stupid to let it happen, but these emotions were in play long before we got married. I was stupid to think he might grow to have feelings for me, too.”
Regina’s voice is warm as she says, “Not stupid at all. But if you really want to go, you know my guest room is yours. Come stay with me, and I’ll teach you how to get over Kingsbury men.”
Chapter Nine
Weston
I’ve always been confident and cocky, able to make decisions and close deals without any hesitation. It’s why I’m good at my job. But as I walk into the courthouse, I feel uncertain for the first time. The only silver-lining is that I know Quinn is inside waiting for me. She’ll remind me why we’re doing this, and she’ll support me like she always does.
But when I walk into the courtroom, the only person I see is Cody sitting behind the plaintiff’s desk.
“Where’s Quinn?” I ask, taking the chair beside him.
He looks back at the gallery like I might have missed her. “I haven’t seen her. But she only really needs to be here for the annulment afterward. No big deal.”
“No big deal,” I repeat, but it feels like a big deal. I’m suddenly jittery with nerves, which is unlike me. But this is the first time I’ll be going head-to-head with my father, one of the most powerful, wealthiest men in the country. I want—no, need—her by my side, and that, I realize, is why I’m not so sure this is the right thing to do. Maybe we’d married to placate my father, but is it possible that it’s turned into something else?
No one else is here yet, but Cody still leans close when he talks to me. “I know the judge who’s presiding over the case. He’s smart. Fair. And he’s well-aware of your father’s history of misdeeds and underhanded practices.”
I blow out a small breath, hardly able to believe what I’m about to say. “Cody, I…”
But the door at the back of the courtroom opens then, and my father saunters in with my half-brother and his attorney. No one says anything to me, but he catches my eye and sneers at me. I don’t blanch, but I smirk back at him instead. He’s gone through life bullying others, but I’m old enough and powerful enough now to stand up to him. That alone should be reason enough to go forward with the case.
Soon after that, court is called to order by the bailiff and the judge takes the stand. He seems to be about my father’s age, and he peers down at us over the top of his glasses.
“I see you’re here to have this contract voided?” He holds up the familiar packet of papers and turns his sharp eyes on my father. “I’ve read through this contract, Mr. Kingsbury. I’ve seen some shady dealings in my day, but making your son marry in order to receive any profits from the business is a new low.” He shakes his head.
My father sinks back in his seat, looking at least slightly scolded.
Then the judge looks in our direction. “And you, younger Mr. Kingsbury, allowed yourself to be bullied into signing, then into getting married.”
I nod. “Yes, Your Honor.”
He shakes his head and turns back to my father with a frown. “I understand you’ve brought a counter-suit?”
Cody looks down at his papers, brow furrowed. He clearly didn’t know about this.
My father’s attorney s
tands and looks between the judge and me. “Defendant contends that Plaintiff’s marriage is a scam meant only to protect his interest in the contract. Defendant moves for an order to show cause to the court that his marriage to—” He pauses and looks down at his paperwork. “Quinn Delaney is not, in fact, made under false pretenses.”
I stand up. “Are you kidding me?”
The judge bangs his gavel and calls for order, giving me a scathing look. Cody tugs at my jacket, pulling me back down.
I turn to him. “Call it off.”
“What?” Cody hisses back at me.
“Call this whole circus off.”
Cody hesitates, then addresses the judge. “May we have a brief recess, Your Honor?”
The judge rolls his eyes but says, “Five minutes.”
I lean in close to Cody. Over his shoulder, I can see my dad and his own attorney talking. Monty is beside them, grinning at me smugly. “I don’t…I don’t have to prove anything to him. He forced me to get married, and now he’s forcing me to prove that I love my wife?”
Cody looks taken aback. “Well…do you?”
My mouth opens and then snaps shut. Do I? Quinn is gorgeous. Feisty. Smart. And she’s right—I’ve been blind. I’ve been telling her to take advantage of me, when really, I’ve been taking advantage of her. She’s always been here for me, and now that she isn’t, all I want is to find her and be there for her.
Forever.
Just the two of us.
And kids if she wants them. I’ve never given them much thought, personally, but I don’t hate the idea of a little redheaded girl riding on my shoulders.
“Yes,” I finally say. “I do.”
Cody shakes his head. “If we can get the clause voided, the counter-suit won’t matter.”
“I don’t want it voided,” I say, feeling more confident than I have since he told me about going to hearing. “Call it off.”
When the recess is over, Cody and my father’s attorney approach the bench and speak to the judge. When they return to their respective tables, the judge turns again to my father.
“Mr. Kingsbury, was it your intention in creating this contract to force your son to marry?”
My father’s face turns purple; he looks almost apoplectic at the idea of having to explain himself to anyone. This has to be a new experience for him. “No,” my father grumbles.
“So, Mr. Kingsbury, that means your intention was to have him earn nothing while doing all the work and you and your other son reaped all the benefits.”
My father opens his mouth, but the judge silences him.
“It wasn’t a question. I already know the answer. If you lie, I’ll hold you in contempt of court. Got it?”
My father nods.
“Say it,” the judge orders.
“Yes, Your Honor,” my father says, practically choking on the words.
The judge tugs on his chin. “You’re a special kind of despicable man.” Then, he looks at us. “Still, I understand that Plaintiff’s counsel wishes to make a motion.”
Cody stands. “Your Honor, Plaintiff moves to dismiss this case.”
The judge shifts his gaze to me. “You wish to remain married, then?”
“Yes, Your Honor,” I say, standing quickly beside Cody.
The judge sighs, removes his glasses, and for a moment, I think he’ll deny me just to further punish my father. But instead, he bangs his gavel. “Case dismissed, then.”
♦ ♦ ♦
On the way home, I stop by a florist to pick up a bouquet of champagne roses, much like the flowers Quinn picked for the bouquet she carried in our wedding. I also pick up a bottle of her favorite wine and drive straight home, ready to beg for her forgiveness.
“Honey, I’m home,” I call as I open the door and step inside.
But the apartment is quiet. Thinking she’s in the bathroom, I walk through the apartment to the back, but she’s not there. It isn’t until I return to the kitchen to put the wine in the fridge that I see the note on the counter.
I hope court went well. Congratulations. I’ll be back later for more of my things.
What the hell does that mean?
I dial her number, but it goes to voicemail after a couple of rings. I try her again, but she still doesn’t answer. I’m standing in the kitchen contemplating my next move when my phone rings and my mother’s number appears.
“Can you see it now?” she asks by way of greeting.
“See what?” I ask, spinning in place like whatever it is will jump out at me.
“The truth.”
“Where is she?” I ask, realizing that she knows. She must know everything.
My mother’s voice is soothing when she says, “She’s staying with me temporarily. But she’s not here right now. She’s at her old place having drinks with her friends.”
I remember Quinn telling me about her weekly cocktail night with her friends. She never missed it.
“What am I supposed to do?” I ask, running my hands through my hair.
“Go get her. It’s not too late.”
I grab the flowers and the wine, and bolt for my car. Into the phone, I say, “Mom, there’s something I need your help with.”
Chapter Ten
Quinn
Helena’s top-floor apartment is the largest of all of ours and has an incredible view of Oakwood City. I swirl my drink in my glass and cross to the window, staring out, while Amara berates her for moving out to live with her boyfriend.
“I can’t believe you’re giving this place up,” she says.
“Oh please,” Helena says, stepping around a pile of boxes to get to the drink pitcher. “It’s just a matter of time before you jump ship to move in with Patrick.”
“I can’t believe you’re moving to Riverwatch,” Amara mumbles. “And Quinn, living on River Street. You two are abandoning us.”
I turn from the window. “I’m moving back as soon as my apartment is available again,” I tell them.
“What?” Miriam asks, sitting forward from her spot on the couch. She and I are alike in a lot of ways. Both of us are high-ranking assistants who work hardest for the least amount of appreciation. “What happened with Weston?”
“It was always temporary,” I remind them.
“Maybe in the beginning.”
I shake my head. “That never changed.”
All three are quiet for a second, and that makes me nervous.
“What?” I ask, draining my drink.
Helena looks at Amara and Miriam, and then back at me. “Are you sure you want to leave, just like that?”
“I didn’t just leave,” I object. “He wants to annul our marriage. I thought—”
“You thought it was real?” Amara asks.
“Not temporary?” Miriam chimes in. “Did you even try to talk to him about it?”
I throw back the rest of my drink. “What’s the point?”
“The point,” Helena snaps, “is that if you love him and you want to be with him, you need to go after him.”
“What if he doesn’t want the same thing?”
“Then at least you tried.”
“What if it hurts?” I ask in a quieter voice.
“Will it hurt more than this?” Miriam asks.
She’s right. I hand Helena my empty cup. “I have to go.”
“Yes, girl,” Amara cheers me on as I make my way through the maze of boxes to the front door.
They’re all still clapping as I shut the door behind me and press the elevator call button. I take the elevator down to the lobby and shove through the front doors, already pulling out my phone to call for an Uber, when I stop in my tracks. Weston is already there, leaning against his car, a bundle of roses held loosely by his side.
“Wes?” I ask, confused, crossing the sidewalk to stand in front of him.
“Quinn.” He hands me the flowers and I bury my face in them, inhaling their pungent sweetness.
“I’m sorry,” we both say at the same tim
e.
My eyes widen at his apology. I don’t think I’ve ever heard him say that before.
“I’m sorry that I was so blind,” he continues. “You even tried to tell me, but I hid behind my fear. Fear that I was just like my dad. Fear that being with me would bring you only misery.”
I shake my head. “Being without you…that’s miserable.”
“I never wanted to hurt you, and by trying to keep you safe, I think I hurt you more.”
Tears well in my eyes and I swipe at them. “What happened in court?” I ask.
He grins. “I had them throw out the suit. The contract remains in place. I get the company, but more importantly, I get you if you still want me.”
“Of course, I do,” I tell him. “I was on my way to tell you that I wasn’t going to give you that annulment.”
He laughs and pulls me against him. “I love you, Quinn.”
“You do?”
He laughs. “How could I not?”
“Well,” I sniff against his chest, “you had a lot of years to figure it out.” Then I remember what his mother said. It doesn’t matter how we started. What matters is how we end. And I want to end up with him. “So, we’re together?”
He nods against my head. “Forever. And I want to prove it to you.”
“How?”
He pushes away from the car and crosses to the trunk, popping it open with his keys. I look in and see my carry-on suitcase that I’d packed to go to his mom’s house, but there’s another one beside it. When I turn to look back at him, he’s holding two plane tickets.
“I’m thinking Bali. But we can change it if you want.”
My brow furrows. “For what?”
“The small, intimate, tropical beach wedding that you always wanted.”
“Are you serious?” I feel like I’m flailing around behind him again, trying to keep up. But this time, I don’t mind. I’m happy for him to take the lead, especially if that lead takes me halfway around the world to Bali. I’ve hardly ever even left Oakwood City.
