He studies my face for a minute before clicking the top down on a pen and pulling a pile of papers toward him. “Well, alright then, let’s get started.”
He talks about the separation process and how since we’re already not living together that we can go right into the process of filing a “Complaint for Dissolution of Marriage.” My head spins as he turns from happy-go-lucky Nate to a professional lawyer as I try to retain all of the information he gives me.
“I will notify your husband that you have filed for a divorce but since he’s expecting it already, it shouldn’t be too long before he sends back his voluntary appearance document.” He pauses and looks back up at me. “That’s if he agrees to everything.”
“I’m sorry,” I splutter. “If he agrees?”
“Of course, the reasons stated here: Adultery, verbal abuse, breakdown of marriage. He must agree that these are all valid reasons for your divorce before we can move forward with splitting the assets.”
“And what if he doesn’t agree?”
He pauses for a minute before sliding the papers into a manila envelope. “He can file an ‘answer’ stating that the reasons for divorce are wrong, or that he doesn’t agree to a divorce. If this is the case, it will take a lot longer as there will have to be a hearing set up for you to plead your case in front of a judge.”
I let my head drop, looking down at my hands in my lap. Plead my case? My heart starts pounding. Why can’t this just be simple?
“Okay.” I can’t muster up more than that.
I lift my head and my eyes connect with his. He hesitates, clearly wanting to say something before shaking his head and deciding not to.
“If you need anything at all, please call me.” He pushes a card across the desk. “That’s my personal number for my clients.”
“Thank you.” I pick up the rectangular card with his details on before looking back up at him. “So, after he signs the papers, you file them then we can go through our assets?”
“Yes, that’s generally how it goes. Are there any other questions you had?”
My mind turns to mush. “I… I don’t think so, but if I think of any, I’ll be sure to call you.”
He smiles, his business face gone as he stands and walks me out of his office and into the reception area. “I’ll be in touch when we receive his agreement or reply to move forward.”
“Great. Thank you for not making this weird.”
&nb
sp; He laughs. “I’m a professional before anything, plus, you’re a friend so I want to make sure this divorce goes in your favor.”
I chuckle. “Thank you.”
“It’s been good to see you again, Harmony. I know the circumstances are… less than favorable, but regardless, it was nice to see you,” he says, touching my arm.
“You too, Nathan.”
He opens the front doors for me and I walk out, breathing in the city air and feeling a weight lift off my shoulders.
Beyoncé—Halo
I stare at my gray eyes in the mirror above the sink, trying to see something there, but I can’t. I’m blank, the icy cold CEO that I’ve become is the only thing that shines back at me.
I blow out a deep breath, pushing my hand through my sandy-blond hair as I shake my head. I won’t let the kids see me like this, no matter what, they deserve to have a dad that is there for them completely.
Pushing my shoulders back, I close my eyes and reopen them, seeing the person that I used to be, the one that cared. He’ll only be there briefly, but that suits me just fine.
Walking out of my bathroom, I grab my navy blue suit jacket off the end of the bed, folding it over my arm and making my way down the stairs, toward the voices in the kitchen.
“Good morning,” Amelia singsongs when I push through the door.
“Morning,” I reply, ruffling Clay’s hair as I walk past him to get a cup of coffee. “You still okay to watch them after school today?” I ask her.
Her chocolate brown eyes meet mine as she sets a plate of eggs in front of Izzie and brushes her golden blond hair away from her face.