“To see how he lived. What he had to offer you and the kids.”
“How he lived? You mean that room in the clubhouse?”
“Yes, I saw the clubhouse. Does that surprise you? But he also showed me the home he lives in. It’s lovely. A little small, but I’m sure that can be worked out. He’d do anything to make you happy, I’m sure.”
“I’m going to my room.” Angel started to stand up. She didn’t want to hear any of this. But what Natalie said next stopped her.
“Read the letter he wrote you. When you’re completely healed and up to the trip, we can leave for California. I’ll take you out there, but you will talk to him. If after that, you still want to return to Arizona, I’ll help you get back. But Angel, I’m selling this house, and I’m going back to California.”
Angel’s mouth dropped open.
“I’ll see you in the morning.” And with that, Natalie left her and headed to bed.
Angel sat staring at the envelope and keys sitting in her lap. She was trying to digest all the information Natalie had just thrown at her. Natalie was mad at her. That much was clear.
Was she being unfair to Cole? He had hurt her so badly. He had slept with her while he was married. Like she was some… what? Side-action? A distraction from his marriage? She had felt so hurt and humiliated. She had thought they were starting to build something. That after all these years of being separated, maybe they had a chance, a real chance. But he had known all along that he had a wife waiting for him, that he was going back to California. He’d never had any intentions of staying here with Angel.
And then when his wife had called her, well, that had been the ultimate humiliation. When Mandy told Angel that she and Cole were having a baby, something inside Angel shattered.
Natalie had told her months later that Cole found out that Mandy lied about the baby. Cole had called her everyday for weeks. She’d refused to take the calls or open his letters. She instead, had wrapped her anger around her like a cloak. A cloak she wore proudly.
And then the calls had stopped. She hadn’t known that she could feel worse than she already had. But thinking that he’d truly given up, that she really would never see him again? She’d sunk into a deep depression.
Natalie had informed her that Cole had flown to her side the minute he’d heard she was attacked. That he’d stayed by her bedside night and day, refusing to leave her side. And then he’d stood there in that hospital room and told her he loved her, wanted a life with her, promised to do whatever she demanded to make this work. He’d practically begged her to forgive him, to give him another chance. But her pride wouldn’t let her do anything but throw it all back in his face. She didn’t know what to say to him, and all she could do was turn her head away and order him to leave.
He’d always said he didn’t deserve her. Now Angel questioned whether it was her who actually didn’t deserve him.
She looked down at the envelope lying in her hands. Now, as she ran her shaking fingers over it, she was afraid that what was really inside was a goodbye letter telling her he’d finally accepted that she didn’t want him. Dear God, what had she done?
She opened the thick envelope and took out the contents. There was a single sheet of folded paper and a thick folded document with many pages stapled together. She opened the document first. It was Cole’s divorce decree. His final papers, just like he’d promised her. He hadn’t lied about getting a divorce.
Laying them aside, she opened the single folded paper. It was handwritten. Her hand shook as she held it.
Angel,
I know I have little reason to hope that you will ever change your mind and give me another chance. I understand why you feel you can’t. I know I hurt you. For that, I’m sorry. I want you to know I never meant to cause you such pain.
I understand why you believe we could never have a life together. I never lied to you, but I didn’t tell you the truth either, which I guess is the same as lying. You think you can’t trust me, and I understand why you feel that way.
I want a life with you and my children. I want us to be a family, but I think you’ve finally convinced me that will never happen.
I want only good things for you, baby. I hope you at least know that.
I love you. I always have.
Cole
A tear rolled down Angel’s face, and then she broke into sobs.